Chivas USA opens preseason camp Monday at The Home Depot Center

CARSON, Calif. - Following last season's historic playoff run, Chivas USA opens its 2007 preseason camp on Monday, February 5 at The Home Depot Center. Under rookie head coach Preki, Major League Soccer's only two-time MVP, Chivas USA will begin the two-month journey to Opening Day on April 7, looking to build on the success of 2006, when the club reached the Western Conference Semifinals in just its second year in MLS.

"I'm excited to begin my first preseason camp as a head coach," said Preki. "As in all MLS preseasons, our squad will evolve as April approaches. I look forward to watching the effort of our returning veterans, plus our new acquisitions and trialists, as they compete for a spot on Chivas USA's Opening Day roster."

Returning to Chivas USA is a solid core of veteran players from 2006, including Mexico's all-time caps leader, defender Claudio Suárez; Chivas USA's 2007 MVP and leading scorer Ante Razov (14 goals, 8 assists); mercurial winger and perennial transfer target Francisco 'Panchito' Mendoza; reigning Rookie of the Year Jonathan Bornstein and fellow rookie sensation Sacha Kljestan, both of whom have been training with the U.S. national team since January; and a nucleus of Chivas USA veterans including midfielder Jesse Marsch, goalkeeper Brad Guzan, and defenders Carlos Llamosa, Jason Hernández and Orlando Pérez.

Chivas USA has also seen a productive offseason in terms of player transactions, acquiring 2004 MLS MVP and Honduran National Team captain Amado Guevara, as well as Santa Ana native and U.S. U-17 international David Arvizu in separate trades with the New York Red Bulls. Chivas USA also selected seven promising young players in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft (2) and Supplemental Draft (5).

The following is a list of first-team players acquired and departing during the recent offseason:

CHIVAS USA 2007 :: PLAYERS DEPARTING/ACQUIRED

ACQUIRED

DEPARTING*

• Players who played more than 90 first-team minutes in 2006
  
  

Below is a tentative schedule for Chivas USA's 2007 preseason. For further queries, please contact Chivas USA Communications.

CHIVAS USA 2007 :: PRESEASON SCHEDULE*

• Subject to change. Unless otherwise indicated, all times Pacific and all games at The Home Depot Center. For the latest information, please contact Chivas USA Communications.