Chivas tied for first in West! Con Galaxy y SuperLiga en la mira, Chivas alcanza primer lugar del Oeste!

En una noche de fuegos artificiales, Chivas USA derrotó por la mínima diferencia a San José, en lo que fue la primera victoria sobre los vecinos del norte en la historia, el sábado por la noche en El Home Depot Center.
Ante Razov concretó el gol de la victoria al minuto 88 de acción, al ejecutar perfectamente un tiro libre con su pierna zurda.
La victoria ubica a Chivas USA en el primer lugar de la Conferencia Oeste, empatados con 21 unidades, con el Galaxy. Chivas USA "visitará" al Galaxy el próximo jueves en El Home Depot Center. Después del enfrentamiento ante el Galaxy, Chivas USA luego tomará un descanso del torneo local y se enfocará en el torneo SuperLiga. El Rebaño enfrenta al Pachuca el domingo a las 7:00 p.m. en El Home Depot Center y a Santos el miércoles, también a las 7:00 en El Home Depot Center.

Usted puede ver el gol de Razov, el cual ya ha sido nominado al Gol de la Semana, aquí:

Después del encuentro del sábado, los aficionados pudieron presenciar los fuegos artificiales, dedicados al Día de la Independencia.



On Saturday night at The Home Depot Center, Chivas USA earned a 1-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes to improve its record to .500 and earn a two-way for 1st place in MLS’s Western Conference with LA Galaxy.
Ante Razov scored the game’s only goal in the 88th minute off a 20-yard freekick, recording the 112th regular-season goal of his MLS’s career and his third of the 2008 season.
With the win, Chivas USA’s record improves to 6-6-3 (W-L-T), good for a first-place tie with the LA Galaxy, whom Chivas ‘visits’ this Thursday in a nationally televised game on ESPN2.
Following Thursday’s Galaxy game, Chivas USA opens its SuperLiga campaign versus Mexican powerhouse Pachuca on Sunday, July 13 at The Home Depot Center, with a million dollar prize on the line.
Chivas USA Head Coach Preki, on Saturday’s match: “We had a kind of slow start, for 10-15 minutes we were a little bit timid, we weren’t as crisp with our ball movement, and after 10-15 minutes we picked it up. We were decent, we were pushing the tempo, we were starting to break them down, and they defended with numbers behind the ball. Sometimes eight, sometimes nine guys behind the ball, they were making it difficult for us and it was just about being patient, and trying to create enough opportunities that maybe we can put one away”
Chivas USA’s first SuperLiga opponent, reigning CONCACAF and SuperLiga champion Pachuca, arrives in Southern California on Thursday, July 10; media event schedule to be announced next week.
For more information on SuperLiga, which pits top teams from Mexico and the United States against each other for a million dollar winner’s prize, please visit SUMWorld.com.
For tickets or more information on Chivas USA, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1, visit http://www.cdchivasusa.com/ or contact Chivas USA Communications.
PHOTOS: JUAN MIRANDA/CHIVAS USA

Chivas USA vs. San Jose Earthquakes game preview!

Chivas USA coach Preki and goalkeeper Brad Guzan break down Saturday's Western Conference showdown with the San Jose Earthquakes on our Official YouTube Channel:

Fireworks this Saturday as Chivas USA faces the Earthquakes! Fuegos artificiales este sábado en el Chivas USA vs. Terremotos!

Chivas USA will extend 4th of July celebrations an extra day this Saturday, when the Red-and-White host the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. PT on July 5 at The Home Depot Center. The match, presented by Sierra Mist, will feature a post-game “Fireworks Fiesta,” with all fans in attendance having a perfect view of the show. The game will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español, with coverage starting at 7:00 p.m. for the pregame show on FSC, and culminating after the fireworks display. It will be the first meeting since 2005 between Chivas USA and San Jose, and the Earthquakes lead the series with two wins and two ties in four matches between the teams. So far in 2008, San Jose has struggled offensively, and is at the bottom of the Western Conference with a record of 3-8-3 (W-L-T), with 12 points. Chivas USA is carrying a two-match unbeaten run into the game, and owns a 5-6-3 record (18 points), sitting fourth in the division. For more information on this weekend’s “California Clásico,” or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit http://www.cdchivasusa.com/.

Chivas USA extenderá un día más las celebraciones del 4 de Julio cuando el conjunto rojiblanco sea anfitrión de los Terremotos de San José el próximo sábado, 5 de julio, a las 7:30 p.m. Hora del Pacífico en El Home Depot Center. El encuentro, presentado por Sierra Mist, tendrá una ceremonia especial llamada “Fiesta de Fuegos Artificiales”, en la cual todos los aficionados presentes en el estadio podrán tener una vista especial del show. El partido será televisado por Fox Soccer Channel y Fox Sports En Español, con una cobertura que comenzará a las 7:00 p.m. y culminará con una demostración de fuegos artificiales. Será la primera cita de ambos equipos desde que Chivas USA y San José se enfrentaron en 2005. San José posee una ventaja de dos victorias y dos empates en los cuatro enfrentamientos disputados en toda la historia entre ambos equipos. En lo que va de 2008, San José ha tenido dificultades en la ofensiva y se ubica hasta el fondo de la Conferencia Oeste con un récord de 3-8-3 (victorias-derrotas-empates), lo que lo deja con 12 puntos. Chivas USA lleva una racha de dos partidos sin derrota y posee un récord de 5-6-3, para acumular 18 puntos, en la cuarta posición de la división. Para más información sobre el nuevo “Clásico de California”, o para comprar boletos, por favor de llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visite www.cdchivasusa.com

Jorge Flores es convocado por Estados Unidos para juego ante México! Jorge Flores called into U.S. U-20 National Team for match against Mexico!

Jorge Flores, mediocampista de Chivas USA, ha sido convocado a la Selección Sub-20 de los Estados Unidos para el partido contra la Selección Sub-20 de México en encuentro que se llevará a cabo el viernes, 11 de julio, en Laredo, Texas. Esta convocatoria será la primera que recibe Flores con la Sub-20 después de anotar sus primeros tres goles en la MLS. Flores, nacido en Anaheim, California, creció en Pénjamo, Guanajuato, México, y regresó a los Estados Unidos en su adolescencia. Será la primera ocasión que Flores enfrenta a México en su corta carrera como futbolista profesional.

Flores se ha destacado con la Selección Nacional Sub-20 de Estados Unidos en 2008, al participar en enero durante el prestigioso torneo internacional Copa Chivas en México, al igual que el Torneo Internacional Campos Verdes de Portugal en abril. En mayo, Flores viajó con la Sub-20 para disputar algunos partidos en Inglaterra ante los equipos de reservas de la Liga Premier de Inglaterra, donde acumuló un gol y una asistencia. Flores es el jugador con más participación en la Selección Nacional Sub-20 de Estados Unidos.

Chivas USA extenderá un día más las celebraciones del 4 de Julio cuando el conjunto rojiblanco sea anfitrión de los Terremotos de San José el próximo sábado, 5 de julio, a las 7:30 p.m. Hora del Pacífico en El Home Depot Center. El encuentro, presentado por Sierra Mist, tendrá una ceremonia especial llamada “Fiesta de Fuegos Artificiales”, en la cual todos los aficionados presentes en el estadio podrán tener una vista especial del show. Para más información sobre el nuevo “Clásico de California”, o para comprar boletos, por favor de llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visite www.cdchivasusa.com

Chivas USA midfielder Jorge Flores has been called into the United States Under-20 National Team for the squad’s upcoming match against the Mexico U-20 National Team on Friday, July 11, in Laredo, Tex. For Chivas USA this season, Flores has played in six matches (starting three), scoring three goals. Born in Anaheim, Calif., Flores spent his childhood in Pénjamo, Guanajuato, Mexico before moving back to Southern California as a teenager, and this will be his first match for the U.S. U-20’s against Mexico.

Flores has become a mainstay on the U.S. U-20 National Team in 2008, having been with the team for the Copa Chivas in Mexico in January and the Campos Verdes International Tournament in Portugal in April. In May, Flores was with the team for a pair of games in England against English Premier League reserve teams, where he had a goal and an assist. Flores has played in more games with the U-20 National Team this year than any other player.

This Saturday night, Chivas USA extends 4th of July celebrations an extra day when the Red-and-White host the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. PT on July 5 at The Home Depot Center. The match, presented by Sierra Mist, will feature a post-game “Fireworks Fiesta,” with all fans in attendance having a perfect view of the show. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1, or visit http://www.cdchivasusa.com/.
PHOTO: Juan Miranda/Chivas USA

Chivas USA falls 2-0 to Seattle Sounders in Third Round of Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup

Chivas USA continued its string of disappointing performances in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, falling 2-0 on Tuesday to the reigning USL-1 champion Seattle Sounders in a Third Round match played at Starfire Sports Complex. The loss – on goals from Seattle’s Taylor Graham and Sebastien Le Toux – marked Chivas USA’s second straight elimination from the prestigious knockout tournament at the hands of the USL Sounders, having fallen 3-1 at Seattle also in the Third Round on July 18, 2007. Chivas joined the Houston Dynamo and New York Red Bulls as the three MLS teams to fall victim to USL opponents at this stage of the 2008 Open Cup.

Chivas USA head coach Preki presented a lineup with a number of changes from Sunday’s 1-1 league draw against the New York Red Bulls. Veteran first-teamers Claudio Suárez, Jesse Marsch, Carey Talley and Francisco Mendoza all began the game on the bench, while Ante Razov and Bobby Burling were left behind in Southern California as precautionary measures after picking up minor knocks over the weekend.

Seattle would take the lead just minutes before halftime. In the 42nd, a Sacha Kljestan lost the ball at midfield to the Sounders’ Kenji Treschuk., who played a deft through pass to forward Sebastien Le Toux. The 2007 USL-1 MVP’s shot forced a kick save from Brad Guzan and enlivened the Starfire Sports Complex crowd of 2,997. On the ensuing corner kick, Josh Gardner played a precise cross to the near post, and Taylor Graham lost his mark and rose above a pack of Chivas USA defenders to head the ball past Guzan from eight yards out.

In the 80th minute, goalkeeper Eylander, after saving a deflected Sacha Kljestan freekick, punted the ball downfield. Guzan, Jim Curtin and right back Daniel Paladini appeared to get their lines crossed in the penalty area and, after Curtin headed the ball backwards at the top of the area, Le Toux pounced its chance and chipped a shot over Guzan and into the empty net to give Seattle a 2-0 lead.

In four attempts, the Red-and-White have never advanced to the Quarterfinals of the tournament, having been eliminated in the Third Round by Seattle Sounders (2008, 2007) and amateur side Roma FC of Dallas (2006), as well as the LA Galaxy in the Fourth Round in 2005. Chivas USA’s only win in five U.S. Open Cup matches came on July 13, 2005 against USL-2 side Charlotte Eagles in the tournament’s Third Round.

Chivas USA hosts the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m. PT. The Red-and-White presents a Double Dose of Independence Day for soccer fans, with a special postgame Fireworks Fiesta following the match. For tickets, starting at just $14, call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit http://www.cdchivasusa.com/.

PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SEATTLE SOUNDERS

Brad Guzan visits the White Sox

Brad Guzan grew up outside of Chicago, Ill., and is a Chicago White Sox fan. Last Wednesday, when the Sox were in town for an interleague matchup against the Dodgers, Guzan went down on the field and met a few of the players on both sides before taking in the Dodgers' 5-0 win.

Here's a couple photos of Brad with Dodgers designated hitter Jim Thome before the game:

Also with White Sox closer Bobby Jenks, who hails from Mission Hills, CA:

The Dodgers' Mark Sweeney also spoke with Brad before the game:

Chivas USA busca pase ante los Sounders

La concentrada actividad veraniega en distintos torneos arranca el martes para Chivas USA con el debut en la Copa Abierta de los Estados Unidos ante los Sounders de Seattle, equipo de la Primera División de las Ligas Unidas de Futbol (USL, por sus siglas en inglés). El Rebaño disputará su primer encuentro de la edición 2008 de la Copa Abierta de los Estados Unidos en actividad de la Tercera Ronda. El encuentro está programado a partir de las 7:00 p.m. Hora del Pacífico en la cancha del Starfire Sports Complex en Tukwila, Washington, y será transmitido por Internet en el sitio USL Live. El Rebaño viajó el lunes rumbo a Seattle con miras a vengar la derrota sufrida por 3-1 en la edición 2007 de la Copa Abierta de los Estados Unidos en estas mismas instancias del torneo. El ganador del cotejo Chivas USA vs. Seattle se enfrentará al ganador entre los Wizards de Kansas City y los Railhawks de Carolina en una sede por determinar.

Chivas USA extenderá un día más las celebraciones del 4 de Julio cuando el conjunto rojiblanco sea anfitrión de los Terremotos de San José el próximo sábado, 5 de julio, a las 7:30 p.m. Hora del Pacífico en El Home Depot Center. El encuentro, presentado por Sierra Mist, tendrá una ceremonia especial llamada “Fiesta de Fuegos Artificiales”, en la cual todos los aficionados presentes en el estadio podrán tener una vista especial del show. Para más información sobre el nuevo “Clásico de California”, o para comprar boletos, por favor de llamar a 1-877-CHIVAS-1 o visite www.cdchivasusa.com.

Chivas USA departed Los Angeles early Monday afternoon in advance of Tuesday night’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match against the Seattle Sounders, which will be played at 7:00 p.m. on July 1 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash. The Third Round match will pit the Red-and-White against the reigning United Soccer Leagues First Division champions, with the winner advancing to the Quarterfinals of the tournament, and all the action can be seen live online at USL Live. Seattle beat Chivas USA at the same stage in the tournament in 2007 by a 3-1 score, and Tuesday night’s game will be the fourth meeting all-time between the two clubs, who also played friendly matches in 2006 and 2007. The winner of the match will advance to face either the Kansas City Wizards (MLS) or the Carolina Railhawks (USL-1), who also play on Tuesday night.

Chivas USA will extend 4th of July celebrations an extra day this Saturday, when the Red-and-White host the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. PT on July 5 at The Home Depot Center. The match, presented by Sierra Mist, will feature a post-game “Fireworks Fiesta,” with all fans in attendance having a perfect view of the show. For more information on this weekend’s “California Clásico,” or to purchase tickets, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit http://www.cdchivasusa.com/.

PHOTO: JUAN MIRANDA/CHIVAS USA