CHIVAS USA CONTINUES PRESEASON TRAINING, TO PLAY CHINESE CHAMPIONS SHANDONG LUNENG ON SUNDAY:
With the 2009 MLS season fast approaching, Chivas USA continues training at The Home Depot Center. The team first gathered on the field last Wednesday in preparation for the club's fifth season, which begins on March 21 against the Colorado Rapids at The Home Depot Center. The Red-and-White are also now looking toward their first scrimmage of the 2009 preseason, facing current Chinese Super League champions Shandong Luneng Taishan F.C. on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. (Field TBD). Shandong Luneng, from Jinan, China, won the CSL in 2008 and will participate in the Pan Pacific Championship in Los Angeles later in February. A schedule of Chivas USA's activities this week can be found below.
JONATHAN BORNSTEIN AND SACHA KLJESTAN WITH UNITED STATES NATIONAL TEAM: Chivas USA players Jonathan Bornstein and Sacha Kljestan are currently training with the United States National Team at The Home Depot Center as part of head coach Bob Bradley's 20-player squad, beginning preparations for a Feb. 11 match against Mexico in Columbus, Ohio. The match will be the first of the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying for both teams, and will be broadcast live on ESPN2, ESPN2 HD and Univision beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Kljestan is coming off a stellar performance in the last U.S. National Team game, when he scored all three goals in a 3-2 win over Sweden on Jan. 15 at The Home Depot Center. Several other Chivas USA players have also been training with the U.S. National Team as guest players, including Jim Curtin, Alecko Eskandarian, Jesse Marsch, and Carey Talley.
CHIVAS USA U-18 TEAM FINISHES PARTICIPATION IN 2009 COPA CHIVAS: The Chivas USA Under-18 Team has returned from the International Chivas Comex Cup 2009 (the "Copa Chivas"), one of the most competitive youth soccer tournaments in the world. The team fell to Brazil by a 2-0 score last Thursday, leaving the team with a record of 1-3-1 (W-L-T), having played five matches in six days and falling short of a spot in the quarterfinals. The high point for the Red-and-White was an opening match win over Toluca by a 3-2 score on Saturday, Jan. 24. The Chivas USA U-18 Team, along with the U-16's, will return to action in the Development Academy when both teams square off against Real So Cal on Feb. 22.
CHIVAS DE GUADALAJARA UPDATE: On Matchday 3 of the 2009 Clausura season in Mexico, Chivas de Guadalajara played its first road match of the new campaign, and came from behind to defeat Monterrey by a score of 2-1. Humberto Suazo put the hosts ahead in the 20th minute, but Xavier Báez struck back for Guadalajara in minute 23. Javier Hernandez scored the game-winner for Chivas in the 76th minute, moving the team to first place in Group 2 with seven points from three games - tied with Pachuca at 2-0-1 (W-L-T) for the best overall record. Chivas will now square off against Necaxa at home next Saturday.
CHIVAS USA 2009 SEASON SEATS NOW ON SALE: Chivas USA's 18-game Season Seat Package, starting at just $180, is on sale now via 1-877-CHIVAS-1 and cdchivasusa.com. The package includes a seat at each of the team's 15 MLS home matches, as well as three bonus games to be announced. Season Seat holders also have the right to exchange unused tickets, plus a host of other benefits. For more information, or to purchase your Season Seat today, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.
VISIT 'DENTRO DEL REBAÑO', CHIVAS USA'S OFFICIAL BLOG: Chivas USA's official blog, 'Dentro del Rebaño' (or 'Inside the Flock') will contain updated content on the team throughout the preseason. Check out chivas-usa.blogspot.com today for the latest information on Chivas USA!
CHIVAS USA SCHEDULE: FEBRUARY 3-8*
Following is Chivas USA's latest preseason schedule of travel, events, matches and practice sessions:
Tuesday, February 3: Training, 10:00 a.m. PT, Track and Field Stadium
Wednesday, February 4: Training, 10:00 a.m. PT, Track and Field Stadium
Thursday, February 5: Training, 10:00 a.m. PT, Track and Field Stadium
Friday, February 6: [Day off]
Saturday, February 7: Training, 10:00 a.m. PT, Track and Field Stadium
Sunday, February 8: Chivas USA vs. Shandong Luneng Taishan F.C. (Scrimmage); 10:00 a.m., Field TBD
