CARSON, Calif. - Chivas USA today announced the signing of Mexican defender and longtime Chivas de Guadalajara standout Johnny García as a Senior International player. García, 28, joins Chivas USA as a season-ending injury replacement for midfielder Ramón Ramírez. García was officially presented this afternoon in a media event at The Home Depot Center alongside his countryman, forward Jesús Morales, who debuted last Saturday in Chivas USA's 3-2 win over the Houston Dynamo. Both players have been training with Chivas USA since August 18.
"We welcome Johnny to Chivas USA at this important moment, as we continue our push for the playoffs," said Chivas USA President and Co-Owner Antonio Cué. "Johnny provides needed depth to our backline, while underscoring our commitment to bringing experienced Mexican players to Chivas USA."
A native of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, Johnny García has played his entire professional career with Chivas Guadalajara, making his Mexican Primera División debut on January 6, 2001 as a 68th-minute sub for Carlos Hermosillo. He has since played 138 games for Chivas' first team (starting 109), logging 9,610 minutes and registering 10 goals and one assist in Mexican league play.
A defender who can also play in the midfield, García has recorded several important goals in his career with Guadalajara, none more memorable than his opening goal in Chivas' 4-0 victory over Boca Juniors on June 3, 2005 in the quarterfinals of the 2005 Copa Libertadores. On May 7, 2006, García scored the last-gasp goal that handed a shorthanded Chivas side - missing six players to World Cup duty - an improbable 4-2 win over Jaguares Chiapas and a berth in Mexico's Clausura 2006 semifinals.
Chivas USA (8-6-10, 34 pts.), currently in third place in Major League Soccer's Western Conference, is closing in on its first playoff berth in club history. This Sunday, September 3, the Red-and-White take on Jaime Moreno, Alecko Eskandarian, Freddy Adu and current league leaders D.C. United at 4:00 p.m. at The Home Depot Center. For tickets, which start at just $12, call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit www.cdchivasusa.com.
JOHNNY GARCÍA
Name: Johnny García López
Number: 8
Position: Defensa/Defender
Date of birth: 1978-07-19, Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
Hometown: Guadalajara, Jalisco, México
Citizenship: México
Weight: 80 kg / 176 lbs
Height: 1.79 m / 5'10"
Last team: Club Deportivo Guadalajara (México)
Acquired: Signed by Chivas USA as a Senior International, August 30, 2006
