CARSON, Calif. - Following the overwhelming response from Chivas fans and soccer players from across the United States, Club Deportivo Chivas USA announced Wednesday that all 396 slots have been filled for the current round of "Sangre Nueva" tryouts, to take place this Sunday, October 31 in the city of Baldwin Park, Los Angeles County.
Hundreds of aspiring players - some from as far away as Texas, Arizona and New York - have signed up for the tryouts for Chivas USA's first team, to be held at Baldwin Park's Charles D. Jones Junior High School. The final spots were filled on Tuesday afternoon, during a walk-up registration held at The Home Depot Center, the stadium where in April 2005 Los Angeles' new Major League Soccer club will begin the quest for its first MLS title.
"The response from our fans, from California and beyond, has surpassed even our own expectations," said Whit Haskel, Vice President and General Manager of Club Deportivo Chivas USA. "The millions of Chivas fans in the United States are anxious to contribute to the success of our team, and their tremendous interest in 'Sangre Nueva' is proof of that."
In response to the overwhelming demand, Chivas USA also announced that an additional round of tryouts will be held before February 2005 at a location to be determined. Organizations in the Los Angeles area that are interested in hosting such an event should contact the club at 1-877-CHIVAS-1.
Among the more than 75 people who queued under gray skies Tuesday in Carson, the first to arrive was 20-year-old midfielder Ricardo Ochoa, who together with two friends departed the Central Valley city of Stockton at 1 a.m. Tuesday morning to begin the 350-mile drive to The Home Depot Center.
"I've been a Chivas fan for as long as I can remember, and I think [Chivas USA] is going to make soccer even bigger in the U.S.," said Ochoa. "Three weeks ago my uncle told me about the tryouts this Sunday. I went online and read about [Tuesday's] registration for the last spots. So that's why I've been here since seven o'clock. I'm happy, though a bit nervous."
Charles D. Jones Junior High School, the venue for Sunday's tryouts, is located at 14250 East Merced Avenue in Baldwin Park. Media interested in covering the event should contact the Public Relations Department of Chivas USA. Due to limited space and parking availability, access to the tryouts will be restricted to registered players, their immediate family members, and members of the press.
Founded by owners Jorge Vergara and Antonio Cué, Club Deportivo Chivas USA is preparing to take Major League Soccer by storm starting in April 2005. To reserve your tickets for the team's inaugural season, or for more information about "Sangre Nueva", the team's official social club "ChivaSocio," and Chivas USA's preparations for the 2005 MLS season, call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit www.CDCHIVASUSA.com.
What: "Sangre Nueva," official tryouts for CD Chivas USA
When: Sunday, October 31, 2004; 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. PT
Where: Charles D. Jones Junior High School; 14250 East Merced Ave; Baldwin Park, California 91706
Who: Access to the tryouts is restricted to registered players, their immediate family members, and members of the press
Parking: On-site parking is available for members of the press with valid ID; Players should use available street parking outside the school grounds
Please do not contact Charles Jones Junior High School. The school does not have information about this event.
