This year, Chivas USA is celebrating 'The Year of the Emperor', as the Red-and-White honor the 20-year professional career of Mexican legend and Chivas USA captain Claudio Suárez. Throughout the rest of the 2008 season, starting with this Thursday's match versus the Chicago Fire, the Los Angeles-based Major League Soccer club will hold a series of special activities to honor the career of Suárez, who represented the Mexican National Team more times than any other player.
Known as 'El Emperador' ('The Emperor'), Suárez was for years a mainstay as Mexico's captain, and is currently number two overall in international appearances among male soccer players worldwide, having played for Mexico 178 times from 1992-2006. Suárez was also a member of Mexico's World Cup squads in 1994, 1998 and 2006. He was a key player at top Mexican First Division clubs Pumas, Chivas and Tigres, in addition to captaining Chivas USA in MLS since 2006.
Starting with Thursday's match versus the Chicago Fire, Chivas USA will display a series of video tributes prior to its MLS home games at The Home Depot Center. Produced by local Univision affiliate KMEX, the videos highlight important moments from Suárez's career - from his appearance in two World Cups, to international titles with the Mexican National Team, to his best moments in Major League Soccer and the Mexican First Division - with exclusive commentary from the Chivas USA captain.
In July, during the lead-up to Chivas USA's international debut in the highly anticipated SuperLiga, Suárez will officially launch his new biography, 'The Story of a Warrior', which describes his ascent from an amateur player in his native Texcoco, Mexico, to his professional debut with Pumas and his representing Mexico at the highest international level. Details for the unveiling of The Story of a Warrior will be announced at a later date.
In August, Claudio Suárez will receive a special recognition at Dodger Stadium, when the Mexican legend throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the Los Angeles Dodgers' game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, Aug. 11 - three days ahead of Chivas USA's third and final game of the Honda Super Clásico series against the LA Galaxy.
And in October, Chivas USA will honor Suárez at the team's final regular-season game, when it takes on the Houston Dynamo on Fan Appreciation Night, Saturday, Oct. 25, at The Home Depot Center.
For more information on Claudio Suárez, Chivas USA, and how you can help celebrate the 'Year of the Emperor', please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit www.cdchivasusa.com.
