INDIANAPOLIS - Chivas USA added three players to its squad today, as it selected Division II forward John Cunliffe and defender Cameron Dunn, a native of Alta Loma, California, in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, while also acquiring Santa Ana, California product and former U.S. U-17 standout David Arvizu in a trade with the New York Red Bulls. In exchange, the Red Bulls received Chivas USA's fourth-round pick in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft, to be held next Thursday, January 18, via teleconference.
"It's been a good day for us," said Chivas USA Assistant Coach Preki, who oversaw the team's draft selections. "John is a very technical left-footed player who can play in various attacking positions. Cameron is a solid defender who can play centrally or as a fullback. And David is a promising young forward who has already shown his quality with the U.S. U-17's."
"Together, these three player acquisitions underscore Chivas USA's commitment to playing attractive, winning soccer, while providing opportunities to talented local players throughout Southern California," said Chivas USA Senior Vice President and General Manager Whit Haskel. "We look forward to their contributions to our club, as Chivas USA continues to build its squad toward our much-anticipated 2007 season."
With its first-round pick (7th overall) in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, Chivas USA selected forward John Cunliffe, a 22-year-old senior from Fort Lewis College (Division II). Born in Bolton, England, Cunliffe played in the youth ranks of Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, while also training with Preston North End and Bolton Wanderers. In 2003 he enrolled at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, where under head coach Jeremy Gunn he amassed an impressive 75 goals and 62 assists in 86 games played (82 starts), and was named a three-time All-American, while majoring in psychology.
The lone Division II participant in the recent 2007 adidas MLS Player Combine in Florida, Cunliffe recorded the best offensive output overall, amassing one goal and three assists. He also participated in a Chivas USA combine in December at The Home Depot Center. During college, he was also a standout at PDL side Boulder Rapids Reserve in Boulder, Colorado. A Manchester United fan from birth, Cunliffe's parents are Stephen and Penelope Cunliffe, and he has an older sister, Francesca, and an older brother, Joshua.
With its fourth-round pick (46th overall) in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, Chivas USA selected defender Cameron Dunn, a 22-year-old senior from the University of California, Irvine. Born and raised in Alta Loma, California, Dunn was a three-year letterwinner, team captain and Mt. Baldy League MVP at Alta Loma High School, while also running hurdles for the track team. After redshirting as a freshman in 2002, having appeared in just one game, Dunn went on to play 73 games for U.C. Irvine from 2003-2006 (starting 72), notching one assist, while majoring in sociology. In 2006, he was named to the All-Big West Conference second team. During college, he also played for the Orange County Blue Stars (PDL), following his successful club career under coach Steve Lucy at Arsenal FC (CSL).
In a separate transaction today, Chivas USA acquired former U.S. U-17 forward David Arvizu in a trade with the New York Red Bulls, in exchange for Chivas USA's fourth-round pick in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft. A native of Santa Ana, California, Arvizu was a standout for the U.S. at the U-17 World Cup in Peru in 2005, where he started all four games in the Americans' quarterfinal run.
Arvizu's parents, both born in Mexico, are Bertha, a native of Guadalajara, Jalisco, and David Sr., a native of León, Guanajuato. He has an older sister Evelyn and a younger brother, Noel. A Chivas fan since birth, Arvizu attended Foothill High School in Santa Ana and played for CSL side Pateadores (Mission Viejo, California) before enrolling in U.S. Soccer's residency program in Bradenton, Florida in 2004. He was acquired by the MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls) in a weighted lottery on February 8, 2006, and played 10 games for the team's Reserve squad in 2006 (starting 10), recording 2 goals. Arvizu is a member of MLS's Generation adidas program.
Chivas USA, Major League Soccer's Mexican-owned, Los Angeles-based franchise - sister team to the famed Chivas de Guadalajara - kicks off its third campaign in MLS on Saturday, April 7, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California versus Canadian expansion franchise Toronto FC. Tickets are available by calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or online via www.cdchivasusa.com.
TRANSACTION: Chivas USA acquires FWD David Arvizu in a trade with the New York Red Bulls, in exchange for Chivas USA's fourth-round pick in the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft.
