NEW YORK - Chivas USA announced today the acquisitions of four Mexican players for the remainder of the MLS 2005 season. Forward Juan Francisco Palencia, offensive midfielder Juan Pablo García, midfielder Héctor 'Pirata' Castro and goalkeeper Sergio 'Matute' García are Chivas USA's newest reinforcements.
"We are confidant in the quality and experience of our new players and I know they will make a big difference in our team's performance for the remainder of the season," said Chivas USA Co-owner and President Antonio Cue. "Palencia is a great player and has lots of experience and is physically in a very good condition. Juan Pablo is a young talented player with a lot of potential. Castro is a player with great technique and 'Matute' is a young goalkeeper with a bright future".
'El Gatillero' Palencia is an experienced player and comes to the MLS with two World Cups in his repertoire. Palencia also participated in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta with the Mexican National Team. He also had an illustrious career in the Mexican First Division as well as in the Spanish League, playing for such teams as Chivas Rayadas Del Guadalajara, Cruz Azul and Español of Barcelona, Spain.
PLAYER BIOS:
Palencia made his professional debut with Cruz Azul in 1996 helping the club reach the Copa Libertadores Final in 2001. He also played for Chivas Del Guadalajara taking them to the semifinal of the 2005 Copa Libertadores. Overall, Palencia scored a total of 14 goals in the South American tournament. Palencia has played a total of 278 games in the Mexican First Division with Cruz Azul and Chivas Del Guadalajara starting on 259 occasions, logging 22,462 minutes and registering 97 goals.
Name: Juan Francisco Palencia Hernández
Position: Forward
Date of Birth: April 28, 1973
Place of Birth: México City
Weight: 157
Height: 5' 9'
Nationality: Mexican
Last Clubs: Cruz Azul, Guadalajara (México), Español (Spain)
Acquisition: Discovery Player
Offensive midfielder Juan Pablo García is a Guadalajara, Jalisco native who comes from Club Atlas where he made his professional debut in the 2000 season of the Mexican First Division. Juan Pablo registered a total of 116 games, starting on 77 occasions and logging 26 goals and 11 assist.
Juan Pablo was also called up to the Mexican National Team to participate in the CONCACAF 2005 Gold Cup. He also represented Mexico in the Olympic Games in Athens 2004 and was also an important element in Mexico's U-23 team who eliminated the U.S. National Team from Athens 2004 in the Olympic Qualifying tournament, celebrated in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Juan Pablo is also known as 'Javan' to many of his fans and was a member of the Mexican National team that participated in the 2003 Panamerican Games which were celebrated in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Name: Juan Pablo García Contreras
Position: Forward
Date of Birth: November 24, 1981
Place of Birth: Guadalajara, Jalisco
Weight: 160
Height: 5' 9"
Nationality: Mexican
Last Clubs: Atlas
Acquisition: Discovery Player
Héctor 'Pirata' Castro is a solid defender who is able to play as a defensive midfielder or in central defense. Castro comes to Chivas USA to find himself wearing the Chivas Red-and-White colors once again, since he made his professional debut with Chivas Rayadas del Guadalajara.
In his career Castro played for Rayados de Monterrey and recently played the last two seasons for Monarcas Morelia before crossing the boarder to join MLS's Chivas USA.
Castro has played 275 games in the Mexican First Division, starting 220, logging 20,502 minutes and registering a total on 12 goals.
Name: Héctor Eduardo 'Pirata' Castro Jiménez
Position: Midfielder-Defender
Date of Birth: February 10, 1976
Place of Birth: Guadalajara, Jalisco
Weight: 157
Height: 5' 9"
Nationality: Mexican
Last Clubs: Guadalajara, Monterrey, Morelia
Acquisition: Discovery Player
Another young player to become one of Chivas USA's newest players is goalkeeper Sergio 'Matute' García who claims to be ready to fight for a spot with the starting eleven. García comes from Chivas Del Guadalajara where he was third string goalkeeper behind Oswaldo Sánchez and Alfredo Talavera.
García made his professional debut with Guadalajara during the 2005 InterLiga tournament.
Name: Sergio Alejandro García Nario 'Matute'
Position: Goalkeeper
Date of Birth: September 19, 1982
Place of Birth: Guadalajara, Jalisco
Weight: 180
Height: 6' 1"
Nationality: Mexican
Last Clubs: Guadalajara
Acquisition: Discovery Player.
