CARSON, Calif. - Club Deportivo Chivas USA will take on Osasuna of the Spanish First Division in the inaugural edition of the "Copa Fundación Chivas de Corazón" on Saturday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. at The Home Depot Center. Current Copa del Rey semifinalists Osasuna, who are led by former Mexican National Team coach Javier Aguirre, thus become the first team from Spain's La Liga to play at the 27,000-capacity stadium.
The match not only offers a reunion between Aguirre and Chivas USA Head
Coach Thomas Rongen - former road roommates during their playing days with
the Los Angeles Aztecs of the NASL (North American Soccer League - but also
marks the launch of Club Deportivo Chivas USA's foundation, "Fundación
Chivas de Corazon." Chivas USA fans will also have their first chance to
purchase the team's official uniform for the 2005 season.
"This is a great opportunity to measure ourselves against an opponent of
international caliber before our home opener on April 2," said Whit Haskel,
Senior Vice President and General Manager of Club Deportivo Chivas USA. "The
Copa Fundación Chivas de Corazón, in which Chivas USA will face clubs of
international stature, will become an annual tradition for our team."
A ticket for this historic match between Chivas USA and its first European
opponent is included as an additional benefit in the ChivaBono (all
regular-season home games, from $304), ChivaVictoria (ten games, from $170)
and ChivaPasión (five games, from $90) ticket packages. Individual tickets
(starting at $19) will go on sale on March 3 for members of "ChivaSocio"
(Chivas USA's official social club), and on March 11 for the general public.
A percentage of the proceeds from the game will serve as seed money for the
establishment of Fundación Chivas de Corazón.
Club Deportivo Chivas USA, Major League Soccer's new franchise in Los
Angeles, will make its MLS debut on Saturday, April 2, at 12:00 PT when it
hosts against defending MLS Cup champions D.C. United at The Home Depot
Center in a match that will be broadcast live on ABC Sports.
Based in Pamplona, in the Basque region of northern Spain, Club Atlético
Osasuna was founded in 1920. The team is led by Mexican coach Javier "Vasco"
Aguirre, who alongside compatriot Ignacio Ambríz is leading the club into
its third successful season. Osasuna's international achievements include
three appearances in the UEFA Cup, during the 1985-80, 1990-91 and 1991-92
seasons. Osasuna are currently in 11th place after 24 matches in the 20-team
Spanish First Division.
