CHIVAS USA CONTINUES ROAD SWING AGAINST NEW ENGLAND ON THURSDAY:
With a 3-1 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday under its belt, Chivas USA now heads to Massachusetts to face the New England Revolution on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 4:00 p.m. PT (7:00 p.m. ET), in a game that will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes. The Red-and-White arrived in Boston on Monday from Toronto, where they captured their second road win of the season, improving the team's record to 8-9-6 (W-L-T), good for third place in the Western Conference and the last automatic playoff berth in the West. Chivas USA has already faced New England twice in 2008, losing 2-1 at The Home Depot Center in May in league play, and earning a 1-1 tie in Fullerton in SuperLiga group action on July 20. Following Thursday's match, Chivas USA returns to Los Angeles on Friday and will train in Southern California before once again hitting the road to face Real Salt Lake on Sept. 20 at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The Red-and-White's next home game is on Sept. 27 against the Kansas City Wizards; for more information or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit www.cdchivasusa.com.
CHIVAS USA YOUTH TEAMS TO KICK OFF SEASON SATURDAY AGAINST U.S. NATIONAL TEAMS: The Chivas USA Under-18 and Under-16 teams will start their respective 2008-09 seasons this Saturday, Sept. 13 against a pair of United States Youth National Teams at The Home Depot Center. The Chivas USA U-16 Team will play against the U.S. U-15's at 4:00 p.m. PT, followed by the Chivas USA U-18 Team against the U.S. U-17's at 6:00 p.m. PT. The matches will be played at Field 1 at The Home Depot Center. Following those exhibition matches - which do not count in the Development Academy standings - the Chivas USA teams will make their 2008-09 Development Academy debuts on Sept. 27 against the San Diego Surf.
PALADINI STRIKE EARNS GOAL OF THE WEEK NOD: Chivas USA midfielder Daniel Paladini's first-ever goal in MLS has earned the rookie a nomination for Goal of the Week, with voting now open on MLSnet.com. The 20-yard strike came in the 41st minute and tied the game at one apiece, sparking a comeback for Chivas USA in the team's first-ever come-from-behind victory on the road. To vote for Paladini's goal, visit www.mlsnet.com and follow the link for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week.
TRIO LEADS CHIVAS USA TO VICTORY OVER TORONTO FC: Chivas USA captured its second away win this season, and first-ever come-from-behind victory on the road, on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Toronto FC. Going down 1-0 after 30 minutes due to Tyler Rosenlund's first MLS goal, the Red-and-White struck back in minute 41 when midfielder Daniel Paladini earned his first MLS tally, blasting a shot from 20 yards past Brian Edwards in the Toronto net. Just before halftime, Chivas USA's Alecko Eskandarian and Toronto's Marco Velez were given red cards after a physical challenge for a header, and when the second half began, Jonathan Bornstein had moved up to forward alongside Ante Razov. Preki's decision was rewarded in the 58th minute, when Bornstein finished to give Chivas USA the lead. Razov then scored late into stoppage time to give the Red-and-White a 3-1 lead, adding a goal to the two assists he already had on the day. The win improved the team's record to 8-9-6 (W-L-T) and keeps the team in third place in the Western Conference.
INJURY UPDATE: A trio of Chivas USA veterans were on the bench for Chivas USA this past Saturday against Toronto FC, but none made an appearance as all three continue to recover from their respective injuries: Jesse Marsch (fractured jaw), Carey Talley (L thigh strain), and Claudio Suárez (R hip strain). Absent from the 18-man gameday roster were Justin Braun (L groin strain), Maykel Galindo (sports hernia surgery), Lawson Vaughn (R knee sprain), Raphaël Wicky (R ankle surgery), and Alex Zotinca (R knee surgery). In addition, goalkeeper Zach Thornton left Saturday's match in the 73rd minute with a left thigh injury. Looking ahead to Thursday's match at New England, Chivas USA will also be without suspended players Sacha Kljestan (yellow card accumulation) and Alecko Eskandarian (red card against Toronto FC on Sept. 6).
KLJESTAN HELPS USA TO WORLD CUP QUALIFYING WIN OVER CUBA: Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan entered the match as a 77th minute sub for goalscorer Clint Dempsey in the U.S. National Team's 1-0 victory over Cuba on Sept. 6 in Havana. Kljestan played well and could have had an assist in injury time when his pass found forward Brian Ching, who narrowly missed a goal. The U.S. now has two wins in two games in the second round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, and faces Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday in Bridgeview, Ill. Shavar Thomas is with the Jamaican National Team for World Cup qualifying, though he did not see action in his team's 3-0 loss at Mexico on Saturday. Jamaica's next match is at Honduras on Wednesday. Kljestan is not scheduled to join Chivas USA in New England, as he will be officially serving his suspension for yellow-card accumulation.
'KICK-IT' THIS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 AT THE CHEVIOT HILLS RECREATION CENTER: 'Kick-it at the Park L.A. with Chivas USA' continues this Saturday, September 13, with a clinic at the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center at 2551 Motor Ave. in Los Angeles. A series of four, 90-minute clinics kicks off at 9:00 a.m., followed by clinics at 10:45 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. Run in conjunction with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, 'Kick-it' is a series of clinics that emphasize physical fitness, sports, and education for as many as 400 children at each of 40 locations throughout the year. A five-dollar fee gets participants 90 minutes of instruction, a voucher for a free ticket to a Chivas USA game, a t-shirt, soccer ball, and Certificate of Completion. Most recently, Chivas USA held a clinic at the Studio City Recreation Center at 12621 Rye Street in Studio City on Sept. 6. For more information on the program, or to register for a clinic, visit www.kickitatthepark.com.
CHIVAS USA AT REVOLUTION, 'PASIÓN CHIVAS USA', LIVE FROM FOXBORO: Join Hipólito Gamboa and Rigoberto Cervantez this Thursday for a special evening of Chivas USA soccer on W Radio 690 AM. Pregame coverage from Foxboro, Mass., for the Chivas USA match against the New England Revolution begins at 3:30 p.m. PT, followed by the match broadcast from 4:00-6:00 p.m. PT. Following the final whistle, fans will be treated to 'Pasión Chivas USA' from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. PT. Don't miss the special coverage, as well as the chance to win tickets to the Red-and-White's next home game, on Saturday, Sept. 27 against the Kansas City Wizards, this Thursday on W Radio.
'SOMOS CHIVAS USA' ON KAZA AZTECA 54 THIS SATURDAY AT 1:30 P.M. PT: Fans, don't miss Chivas USA"s official weekly TV show, "Somos Chivas USA'. Featuring renowned co-hosts Mara Almada and Antonio Rosique, 'Somos Chivas USA' gives viewers an inside look at the Red-and-White, including player features, match analysis and highlights, and much more. This week's 'Somos Chivas USA' is scheduled to air on KAZA Azteca 54 in Los Angeles on Saturday, September 13, at 1:30 p.m. PT. Tune in this Saturday for your 'Somos Chivas USA!'
EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS ON CHIVAS USA'S OFFICIAL BLOG: Chivas USA's official blog, 'Dentro del Rebaño' (or 'Inside the Flock') is online with updated content from the team, including video previews of upcoming games, as well as post-match videos. Check http://chivas-usa.blogspot.com today for the latest information on Chivas USA!
CELEBRATE 'THE YEAR OF THE EMPEROR' WITH CLAUDIO SUÁREZ' NEW BIOGRAPHY: After more than 20 years as a professional soccer player, Chivas USA's legendary Mexican defender Claudio Suárez has released his new biography, which contains photographs and stories gathered over the course of two years by both Claudio Suárez and renowned Mexican author Enrique León Candiani. Showing the dedication and determination of the Chivas USA central defender, the book documents the story of Suárez, who has won championships in the Mexican First Division, participated in World Cups, and made more international appearances for Mexico than any other player in history. The book is on sale online at Target.com, Soccer.com/Claudio, and Amazon.com, as well as in most bookstores across the United States and Mexico. The Spanish version of the biography is already out, and an English version will be released shortly.
CHIVAS USA BIRTHDAYS: A pair of Chivas USA midfielders, Sacha Kljestan and Jorge Flores, will celebrate birthdays in September. First up is Kljestan, who turns 23 tomorrow, Sept. 9, followed by Flores, who celebrates his 19th birthday on Sept. 16.
