The old and the new will come together for Chivas fans Saturday as Club Deportivo Chivas USA hosts ChivaFest at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT.
Ramón Ramirez, a longtime fixture with CD Chivas USA sister club CD Guadalajara and the Mexican national team, will soon captain the CD Chivas USA side, and on Saturday he'll be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs. Joining Ramirez at ChivaFest will be some of his new teammates, including players selected in the MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 14.
CD Chivas USA head coach Thomas Rongen said he is excited about Saturday's event.
"It's another great opportunity for our fans to meet some of our new players, players that we've drafted in the SuperDraft. It's also a great opportunity to rub elbows with our captain Ramón Ramirez," Rongen said. "I think it's a nice occasion for our fans to gather and celebrate our existence and Chivas USA being here. The tradition continues, so to speak."
Also, for "Chivas de Corazón," Saturday's match between Chivas and Toluca will be shown live on the big screen at the HDC. Fans will also be able to get more information on the CD Chivas USA soccer school, ChivaGirls and ChivaSocio, and they will be able to purchase their ChivaBono (season ticket) package. There will also be free carnival games and prized and a free petting zoo featuring goats.
"I think there is a neat correlation between the new and the old. The old, obviously, is the fact that we're going to show Chivas at Toluca live here on the great screen at The Home Depot Center so our fans can continue to watch their favorite team that they've followed for many years, and they'll also get a flavor, through autographs and interacting with some of our new Chivas USA players," Rongen said. "I think it's a really neat combination of being able to do both."
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was
not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
