Armed and dangerous: Full preseason has Chivas USA's Erick "Cubo" Torres primed for fast start CARSON, Calif. – Though Erick “Cubo” Torres fizzled a bit after his hot start last year – he finished his rookie campaign on a six-game scoreless streak – what the forward managed to do before then has new Chivas USA head coach Wilmer Cabrera grinning from ear to ear. The Goats lacked a consistent offensive weapon all of 2013 until Torres arrived from parent club CD Guadalajara in mid-July and proceeded to lead the team with seven goals. “We’re expecting that he’ll continue working the way he works, with his mentality to score goals, be close to the area and cause problems for opponents,” Cabrera told MLSsoccer.com. “He has a good mentality and likes to score goals. We like him and like that he’s always thinking about scoring.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...son-has-chivas-usas-erick-cubo-torres-primed-
Chivas USA rebrand coming soon? Trademarks filed on Los Angeles SC and Los Angeles F.C. Potentially massive news regarding the future of Chivas USA, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office received two trademark applications last month from "Chivas Guadalajara Licensing LLC" out of Carson, California. The trademarks are for two names and logos: Los Angeles SC and Los Angeles F.C. According to public database records from the USPTO, the company applied for separate trademarks on January 17, 2014. http://www.reddit.com/tb/1y4u48
MLS Commissioner Don Garber addresses league's purchase of Chivas USA “It’s time to turn to a new chapter here,” Garber said. “That new chapter will start with us finding a new ownership group – we’re pretty good at that. And developing with a stadium plan – we’re pretty good at that, too.” But despite Vergara’s "passion for MLS," as Garber said, the club continued to struggle. Garber was adamant, however, that Chivas USA’s plight was not a failure in concept, but a failure of execution. "There were a wide variety of decisions made both by the league and by ownership that just weren’t right,” the commissioner said. “That was 10 years ago. If we were to do it again, and we launched this exactly as the way it was intended, who knows if in today’s environment, whether it would have been more successful.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...referral&utm_content=News&utm_campaign=Unpaid
Team will remain in Los Angeles; several buyers interested in purchasing club The club will play as Chivas USA during the 2014 MLS season and will be rebranded with a new team name and logo in connection with the sale to a new owner. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, Mr. Vergara and Ms. Fuentes retain all branding and licensing rights to the Chivas name with MLS permitted to continue using the Chivas USA brand name on a transitional basis. In connection with the sale of the club to a new owner, MLS also will lead the discussions for a new stadium that would serve as the new home for the team. The club has played its home games at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., since debuting in 2005 and will continue to play there in 2014. Chivas USA open the 2014 MLS season on March 9 when they host the Chicago Fire. http://www.cdchivasusa.com/news/201...sa-la-major-league-soccer-adquiere-chivas-usa
Letter to Chivas USA supporters from MLS Commissioner Don Garber Dear Chivas USA Supporters, Earlier today we announced that Major League Soccer has purchased Chivas USA and will assume responsibility for operating the club. We truly believe that Los Angeles deserves two strong soccer clubs and with some hard work and the commitment of loyal and passionate fans, Chivas USA can become one of the top organizations in Major League Soccer. In the coming weeks, we will appoint an experienced sports executive to serve as the president of Chivas USA. This person will manage the day-to-day operations of the club and oversee all business and sporting areas. Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera, who spent years with the MLS League Office, U.S. Soccer and was an accomplished player, will continue to manage the technical side of the club. We have great confidence in his vision and passion for making Chivas USA a very competitive team, with players who care about winning on and off the field. In the coming months, the league will work to find a new ownership group that will establish a new vision and plan for the team, and will be committed to building a new stadium in Los Angeles. We have already had initial discussions with a number of very qualified potential owners and it is our intention to transition the team to a new owner sometime this year. The club will play as Chivas USA and will still call the StubHub Center its home during the 2014 MLS season. It will then be rebranded with a new team name and logo in connection with the sale to a new owner. Jorge Vergara and Angelica Fuentes were part of Chivas USA’s original ownership group and recently became sole owners of the club. They were extremely passionate about Chivas USA, committed significant personal and financial resources to both MLS and the club, and truly believed in the opportunity to build soccer in the United States and Canada. We are very appreciative of everything they did to try to make things work in Los Angeles and wish them the best as they focus their efforts on Chivas de Guadalajara and their primary business, Omnilife. We are confident this is the right move for the club, one that will provide you, the supporters, with a first-class team that is focused on winning, performing at the highest levels throughout the organization, and positively impacting the community. As part of this transition, we plan to add more resources to Chivas USA that will enhance the overall fan experience. We thank you for your passion and dedication to Chivas USA, and we look forward to you joining us at the home opener on March 9 against the Chicago Fire. Sincerely, Don Garber MLS Commissioner http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...as-usa-supporters-mls-commissioner-don-garber
2014 Chivas USA Preview: Winds of change blowing through StubHub Center CSKA Chivas: "Club Still Known As" Chivas. Get it? OK, let's forget stupid puns for a second and just address the 800-pound gorilla in the room: Everything about this club is in limbo for the foreseeable future. After it purchased the club back from Jorge Vergara and Angelica Fuentes last week, MLS could find a new buyer next week or next year – nobody knows – and with that will likely come an epic housecleaning. Plugging up the sieve: Dan Kennedy's got himself a nice 1,000-yard stare and a case of PTSD after spending last season as a target dummy for the rest of the league. Chivas were putrid defensively, conceding a league-worst 67 times. They were particularly vulnerable up their own left flank, which happens to be the one spot that wasn't addressed this offseason. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...hange-blowing-through-stubhub-center-armchair
Welcome Luke Moore! Former Aston Villa and Swansea striker joins the Red-and-White Carson, Calif. (Monday, Feb. 24, 2014) – Chivas USA announced today the signing of English Premier League veteran Luke Moore. The striker joins the Red-and-White from Turkey’s Super League side Sanica Boru Elazığspor. The 28-year-old will be eligible to play in the Goats’ 2014 Regular Season upon receipt of his International Transfer Certificate. Per club and League policy, terms of the agreement will not be disclosed. A product of the Aston Villa F.C.’s Youth Academy, where he played alongside his older brother and former Queens Park Rangers forward, Stefan, the younger Moore spent the bulk of his young professional career with Villa in the EPL. He also enjoyed stays as a member of West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City A.F.C. http://www.cdchivasusa.com/news/2014/02/chivas-usa-sign-english-premier-league-veteran-luke-moore
Major League Soccer names former league exec Nelson Rodriguez as new president of Chivas USA “I am thankful for the opportunity and recognize the responsibility in what is an important season for the club,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “Regardless of the ownership status, this team and staff will compete on all fronts and we look forward to the challenge.” Rodriguez spent 14 years in the league office, also serving as a senior executive for MLS' commercial arm, Soccer United Marketing. Prior to joining MLS, the New Jersey native was a club executive for the New York/New Jersey MetroStars and was a member of the 1994 FIFA World Cup local organizing committee for the Giants Stadium venue. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...r-league-executive-nelson-rodriguez-new-presi
Black Army Open letter to Don Garber https://www.facebook.com/BlackArmy1...0.1393638467./656891587704047/?type=3&theater
Chivas USA Edge Chicago Fire, 3-2, with Late Game-Winner in Season Opener | Chivas USA sobrepasa a Chicago Fire, 3-2, con un gol en los últimos minutos de su apertura Chivas USA defeated the visiting Chicago Fire 3-2 Sunday afternoon on defender Bobby Burling’s game-winning tally in the 88th minute to secure three points in their season opener at the StubHub Center. The Red-and-White took a two-nil lead early in the second half on scores from Erick “Cubo” Torres and rookie Thomas McNamara, but momentarily gave up the lead when the Fire responded with a pair of goals by Benji Joya and Quincy Amarikwa http://www.cdchivasusa.com/news/201...icago-fire-3-2-late-game-winner-season-opener
Chivas USA's Nelson Rodriguez: Sunday's attendance "nowhere near where we'd like to be" CARSON, Calif. – Nelson Rodriguez was asked on Sunday about the attendance at Chivas USA’s 2014 season opener against the Chicago Fire, and the new team president didn’t mince words. “Just look around,” Rodriguez told reporters during halftime of Chivas 3-2 win at StubHub Center "The answer is pretty evident. We’re nowhere near where we’d like to be [when it comes to stadium attendance]." An announced crowd of 8,320 was present at the afternoon match, in line with announced attendance figures for the club in 2013. The figure was also more than 5,000 spectators fewer than the second-smallest crowd around the league over the weekend. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...-sundays-attendance-nowhere-near-where-wed-be
Ten-Man Chivas USA Secure 1-1 Tie against Vancouver Chivas USA (1-0-1) played Vancouver Whitecaps FC (1-0-1) to a 1-1 tie Sunday afternoon at the StubHub Center while playing a man down beginning in the 13th minute. The Red-and-White were led by striker Erick "Cubo" Torres' team-leading second goal of the season in the first half to keep the club unbeaten in the 2014 campaign - including preseason competition. Vancouver equalized in the second half on Kekuta Manneh's score for the sides to split the points in Week 2. The Rojiblancos were left with 10 men early in the first half after first-year midfielder Agustin Pelletieri was sent off with a straight red while going for a 50-50 ball in Vancouver's attacking third. Despite playing a man down, the Goats outshot the 'Caps 5-0 in the first half and generated the better run of play with an edge in ball possession. Midfielder Leandro Barrera got into dangerous spots near the end line from his left attacking-mid position to get off a pair of crosses that did not manage to find their intended targets. Torres gave the Rojiblancos the 1-0 advantage in the 45th minute when he positioned himself behind the arc and fired a shot on frame that found the back of the net after it ricocheted off a Vancouver defender. Midfielder Mauro Rosales was credited with his League-high third assist on the play. Chivas threatened to extend their lead in the 52nd minute when Torres and Barrera led a two-on-two fast break into their final third. As Torres pushed the ball down the middle of the field, he laid it off to Barrera on his left, which left the winger in a one-on-one match-up with Vancouver goalkeeper David Ousted, but his attempt was deflected out of bounds by the netminder. The Red-and-White continued generating scoring opportunities with their attackers looking to go at goal often. In the 72nd minute, the combination of Torres and Rosales nearly linked up again to double Chivas' lead when the duo played a give-and-go sequence down the right flank. The combination sprung Rosales and allowed him to unleash a strike from outside the box that sailed over the crossbar. The 'Caps evened the match in the 81st minute when Darren Mattocks played a low cross to Manneh - who came on as a sub in the 60th minute - from the left side of the box for the forward to place it inside the left post with his first-time shot. Locked in a 1-1 tie, the Goats pushed their attack forward in search of the game-winner for the second consecutive week and had a promising look in the 85th minute off a Rosales free kick. The midfielder sent his entry into the box from the left side and found Torres near the short area for a header. However, Ousted secured the shot, turning away the threat and keeping the contest in a stalemate for the remainder of regulation. Chivas USA will enter Week 3 battling Western Conference foe FC Dallas in their first road match of the 2014 Regular Season at Toyota Stadium. Scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m. (PT), the match will mark the first leg in the three-game season series. For more information log on to cdchivasusa.com and follow the club on Twitter and Facebook . Press release from the Club Deportivo Chivas USA
Wilmer Cabrera: “This team, this year, is thinking big” | “Este equipo, este año, está pensando en grande" In the second match of the 2014 Major League Soccer season, Chivas USA had a solid performance, a 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC at the StubHub Center despite going down a man in the 13th minute of the game. Erick “Cubo” Torres notched his second goal of the season giving the Red-and-White the lead just before the end of the first half. Chivas USA continued to send their men forward in search of a second goal, but 36 minutes into the second half Vancouver managed to earn the equalizer in a goal by Kekuta Manneh. http://www.cdchivasusa.com/news/2014/03/wilmer-cabrera-team-year-thinking-big
CHIVAS REBOOT: First month of 2014 season leaves Chivas USA's Wilmer Cabrera encouraged but unsatisfied The first month of the season left Chivas USA head coach Wilmer Cabrera encouraged but unsatisfied after his team grabbed five points from four matches, capping it with a gut-wrenching 1-1 draw against the New York Red Bulls on Sunday. Though the four-game stretch might be a small sample size, early indications are that this year could be different as the club aims to combine the off-the-field transition to new ownership with on-field production. Cabrera told reporters at Red Bull Arena his outlook was auspicious. “We’re getting some results,” Cabrera said. “They are proving themselves on the field that they can play and we can have a good, competitive team.” http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...chivas-usas-wilmer-cabrera-encouraged-unsatis
Chivas USA Grind out 1-1 Road Result against Portland Timbers Chivas USA battled back to secure a tough road point with a 1-1 tie against Western Conference foe, the Portland Timbers, Saturday night at Providence Park. The home side got on the scoresheet first on Will Johnson's early goal, but the Red-and-White evened the contest on striker Erick "Cubo" Torres' team-high fifth goal of the season. The Timbers took the one-nil advantage in the seventh minute when Darlington Nagbe found Johnson with a short pass near the top of the 18-yard box for the midfielder to place his shot inside the left post with a right-footed strike. Chivas generated solid run of play in their attacking third and got deep into Portland territory for Leandro Barrera to play a number of crosses from the left side, but the midfielder could not link up with his teammates inside the box. The first-year attacker also got into range inside the box and delivered a shot on frame in the 18th minute after rookie Thomas McNamara laid off a pass to the his left. Barrera's strike, however, was deflected out of bounds by Timbers' goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts. The Red-and-White continued to get numbers forward, including their outside backers, as Andrew Jean-Baptiste - who was making his second consecutive start at left back - got on the end of a give-and-go sequence with McNamara and Mauro Rosales to unleash a shot on target of his own in the 22nd minute that was kept out by his former teammate Ricketts. Chivas continued to knock on Portland's door in search of the equalizer and managed to take five corner kicks in the first half (10 total in the contest). With a minute left in the first half, Rosales sent in a pass from the left side which was cleared out by the home side's defense, only to land at the feet of right back Eric Avila, who followed up the clearance with a long-range shot from outside the box that was turned away. Playing a goal down in the second half, the Goats continued to apply pressure, as Rosales looked to add to his three assists on the season and got off consecutive shots that were denied inside the box in the 60th minute. Rosales then played a floater from outside the right edge of the box in the 75th minute toward Carlos Bocanegra who was positioned near the far post. The defender's chip shot found Torres for a header but the attempt was swatted away by Ricketts. After repeated looks at goal, the Rojiblancos broke through in the 79th minute when Torres got behind the Timbers' defense to knock in the equalizer from inside the six-yard box on a ball played in from the left edge once again by Barrera. With his 12th career tally, Torres has now tied legendary striker Luis Hernandez for third place on MLS' all-time list of Mexican-born goal scorers and is now in sole possession of fifth place on the club's all-time goals list. With six minutes of added stoppage time, The Red-and-White remained stout behind goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and secured the hard-fought road point with the 1-1 result. Chivas USA now return home to continue their four-game stretch against conference opponents when they host Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday beginning at 7:30 p.m. (PT) at StubHub Center. The match will mark the first leg of the three-game season series and can be heard live on ESPN Deportes Radio KWKU 1220 AM. For more information visit cdchivasusa.com and follow the club on Twitter and Facebook. Press release from Chivas USA
Re: Chivas USA Grind out 1-1 Road Result against Portland Timbers Rumor: Chivas USA's new owner to be announced after the World Cup? Is the future sooner than we think? Does Chivas USA have a new owner(s) in place? And will we hear about the new owner in just a few months? Guadalajara-based journalist San Cadilla reported in his column on Thursday that the sale of Chivas USA is already complete, and it will be announced following the World Cup (Spanish). According to the report, the owners will be an unnamed Mexican businessman based in California and a "wealthy American executive." Additionally, the new owners will look at possibly rebranding Chivas USA to the LA Aztecs, something that has been a persistent topic among observers, though some fans of the club bristle at that name. Furthermore, the report says that the alleged new owners wanted to buy the team directly from Jorge Vergara, but the league may have taken control of the team to "clean up the mess a little" before moving on with the next owners. http://www.reddit.com/tb/23gcw0
Chivas USA Fall, 1-0, at San Jose Earthquakes Chivas USA fell, 1-0, to the San Jose Earthquakes in the first leg of the three-game in-state rivalry Saturday night at Buck Shaw Stadium. The high-paced conference battle was locked at zero until Yannick Djalo's tally in the 66th minute proved to be the eventual game-winner for the home side, as Chivas finished up the final part of the match with 10 men. The Red-and-White generated the first threat of the contest in the third minute after Mauro Rosales played free kick into the box from about 30 yards out. The entry was headed away and then collected by midfielder Carlos Alvarez, who squared up to goal and fired from inside the box, but his shot was deflected away. Alvarez again had a look at putting the Rojiblancos ahead in the 16th minute when he took control of another poor clearance and got off a shot on frame from outside the left edge of the short area. The threat, however, was turned away as San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch was able to close the angle and come up with the save by the near post. Chivas continued creating dangerous looks inside the Quakes' box and in the 33rd minute nearly got on the scoresheet on Erick "Cubo" Torres' right-footed shot from about 10 yards out. Midfielder Agustin Pelletieri brought down a cross sent in from the right side to set up Torres in front of goal, but the striker's attempt was sent wide of the right post. The Quakes broke the scoreless tie in the 66th minute when Djalo linked up with Shea Salinas on a cross from the left side. Djalo, who came on as a sub to start the second half, volleyed Salinas' pass across the front of the goal and inside the left post to put the home side up 1-0. The Red-and-White were forced to play a man down beginning in the 77th minute after goalkeeper Dan Kennedy was sent off with a straight red after handling the ball outside the penalty area while trying to deny a one-on-one threat against forward Alan Gordon. Playing a man short and a goal down, Chivas looked to send their attackers forward in an attempt to tally the equalizer and managed to generate promising looks. In the 80th minute, midfielder Leandro Barrera delivered a low cross from the left side to Adolfo "Bofo" Bautista near the first post, but the forward's short tap-in attempt traveled wide. The Goats brought on striker Luke Moore as their final sub off the bench in the 86th minute, but were unable to get on the board, as San Jose held on to secure the one-goal victory at home. Chivas USA now return home to host Eastern Conference side the Houston Dynamo next Saturday at the StubHub Center in an interconference showdown. The match will mark the only meeting between the clubs this season and can be heard live on ESPN Deportes Radio KWKU 1220 AM. For more information visit cdchivasusa.com and follow the club on Twitter and Facebook. Press release from the Club Deportivo Chivas USA
Chivas USA working to keep on-loan leading scorer Erick "Cubo" Torres for rest of 2014 CARSON, Calif. – Erick “Cubo” Torres has scored six of Chivas USA’s eight goals through the first two months of the season, including the last five since their season-opening victory, and proven to be an irreplaceable piece of the team's attack. Yet with his loan set to expire at the end of next month, the Rojiblancos could potentially face a dire situation up front. The recent injury to promising rookie midfielder Thomas McNamara added an obstacle, and losing their most reliable offensive weapon on top of that would be nearly catastrophic. Head coach Wilmer Cabrera is breathing easy, though, after having been assured by club president Nelson Rodriguez that Torres is in Chivas USA’s plans beyond June. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...an-leading-scorer-erick-cubo-torres-rest-2014
The Throw-In: Like LA Clippers, Chivas USA have found their inner strength in tough times They share a market, the same colors and similar intrigue. And meanwhile, all their respective players are trying to do is play the game. No, Chivas USA are not in the same situation as the Los Angeles Clippers. Not exactly, anyway. But when you look at it, they’ve got a lot in common. Besides the geography, both are dealing with controversial owners either out or on their way there. Players on both teams are being asked to do their jobs while a whirlwind of speculation surrounds them away from the court/field. And they’re watching somewhat from afar as their respective leagues are intervening to correct what were previously tough situations. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...inner-strength-tough-times?module=from_footer
