Photo by David Bernal/ISIphotos.com
By ADAM SERRANO
CARSON, Calif. – The Colorado Rapids squeaked past Chivas USA, 1-0, in a physical preseason
scrimmage between the two sides on Tuesday.
Second-half substitute Quincy Amarikwa put the Rapids ahead in the 85th minute.
Enfrentará Xolos a Chivas USA en San Diego
SAN DIEGO, CA.- El equipo sensación del momento en la Primera División mexicana,
Xoloitzcuintles del Club Tijuana, tendrá un duro rival en la nueva edición del San Diego Clásico
al medirse ante la escuadra de Chivas USA de la Liga Mayor de Futbol de Estados Unidos (MLS por sus
siglas en inglés).
He's attacking midfielder/winger Miller Bolaños, 21, who most recently played for Quito, the club
previous signing Oswaldo Minda was with most recently. "Miller is an exciting young attacking
player," Chivas USA Coach, Robin Fraser said. "He's a good passer, good finisher, and good at
running at people.
Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
For a team coming off of a championship run, the Los Angeles Galaxy have had plenty of major
moving parts over recent weeks.
Between Landon Donovan going back to Everton on a short-term loan, Juninho returning to Sao
Paulo, Donovan Ricketts being dealt to the Montreal Impact, Sean Franklin re-signing and David
Beckham, well, still making a decision, the Galaxy remain the talk of MLS deep into the
offseason.
By CALEB SONNELAND
The Philadelphia Union continue their busy offseason by adding Costa Rican defender Porfirio
Lopez from Chinese side Dalian Haichang.
Lopez, a 26-year-old left back, was most recently on loan at Costa Rican side Alajuelense, where
he was a part of the team's back-to-back Apertura and Clausura championship teams.
Slim soccer news pickings from the Thanksgiving holiday. Checkout our Thanksgiving Day news
roundup for extensive coverage of reaction to the Expansion Draft and more.
Union
Union Dues says Justin Mapp "has won himself into the 'Do Not Boo' list" and looks forward "to
welcoming Mapp and his new team to PPL for the first time.
Slim soccer news pickings from the Thanksgiving holiday. Checkout our Thanksgiving Day news
roundup for extensive coverage of reaction to the Expansion Draft and more.
Union
Union Dues says Justin Mapp "has won himself into the 'Do Not Boo' list" and looks forward "to
welcoming Mapp and his new team to PPL for the first time.
Galaxy center back Omar Gonzalez, seen here challenging for the ball with New York's Luke
Rodgers, is the 2011 MLS Defender of the Year (AP Photo).
Galaxy defender Omar Gonzalez, who turned 23 Oct. 11 and stands 6-5, has become the
youngest-ever winner of the MLS Defender of the Year award.
Chivas USA hasn't had too much to celebrate, now comes the dreaded expansion draft. (Getty
Images)
Chivas USA had an up and down 2011. Their season looked promising at times but injuries piled up
and issues with scoring took this team over. First year manager Robin Fraser did a decent job this
year but will have the fun task of going through the roster to figure out who stays and who will be
left available for next month's expansion draft.
The Seattle Sounders travel down to the Home Depot Center to face Chivas USA. Each team could
really just consider this a 'super reserves' game. For the Sounders it will be preparation for the
MLS Cup Playoffs and the ultimate goal of the 2011 team, the MLS Cup. For Robin Fraser with Chivas
it will be another chance to make decisions about next year's talents.
BY JONATHAN VERA
CARSON, Calif. – The Philadelphia Union were just a few seconds of regulation and a few
minutes of overtime from regaining the hold on first place they lost during the summer, but before
they could even celebrate it, Juan Pablo Angel stepped in to spoil the party.
Photo by Michael Janosz/ISIphotos.com
By JONATHAN VERA
CARSON, Calif. – Juan Pablo Angel may have been in a slump with the Los Angeles Galaxy earlier
this season, but at Chivas USA the 35-year-old stiker has proven once again that he still has
quality minutes left in his tank.
I've largely been ignoring a largely terrible Chivas USA this season.
Last weekend I checked in on them expecting to write their season obituary. Instead the club is
alive and kicking and building for next season with renewed hope and expectatation.
There's a long way to go, but Coach Robin Fraser has a vision and he's sticking with it.
BY JONATHAN VERA
CARSON, Calif. -- It wasn't too long ago that Juan Pablo Angel looked more ready to retire than
to start scoring goals again, but the Chivas USA striker has enjoyed a renaissance in recent weeks
that has him looking like the Angel of old.
Chivas USA 3 Toronto 0
I came to this game to write Chivas USA's season obituary; I may have seen the start of an
unlikely resurrection.
"I feel like I haven't smiled in a long time," said a beaming Chivas USA Coach Robin Fraser in
the locker room afterward.
Staff Writer Elliott Teaford took a break from the Lakers beat and has the game story.
Chicago Fire 3 Chivas USA 2
Watch:
After last week's loss Chivas USA Coach Robin Fraser said the performance and result was as bad
as it gets.
This was worse. As in soul-destroying. Crushing. Season-throttling.
It was brutal to watch.
Chivas USA clawed back a two-goal deficit with a pair of goals within three minutes against a
10-man opponent only to yield the winner five minutes from the end of regulation time.
If, like me, you were otherwise preoccupied this weekend, here's a quick recap of the MLS action
to get you caught up:
*The Galaxy won (again), while Chivas USA lost (again)
*Here's the latest MLS standings.
*A D.C. United beat writer told me this weekend that Charlie Davies is "not the same player he
was.
*Francisco "Panchito' Mendoza, tied for the most all-time appearances with Chivas USA, is out
after Coach Robin Fraser decided to part ways with an "unhappy" player.
It was the Mexican midfielder's second go around with the club; he had rejoined them in the
offseason, but was used sparingly and primarily as a substitute.
The Setup after the Red Card to Borchers
Salt Lake welcomed Jamison Olave back into their defense after returning from an injury in the
all-star match. Chivas USA was coming off a tough midweek loss in Portland and needed to take the
home three points to push towards a playoff spot.
Two Early Defensive Errors In the 11th minute, Jazic played a chipped, blind back pass that
was intended for Junior Lopes.
Good morning on an already sobering day for soccer that saw Chelsea's Didier Drogba sustain a
sickening concussion this morning (he looked unconscious before he hit the ground judging by the
way his head grotesquely bounced off the turf) in a nonetheless entertaining televised game against
Norwich City that was sadly also marred by a harsh penalty and an even harsher red card to the
Canary's goalkeeper that in my opinion meant the outcome was decided by the ref rather than the
players.
Tristan Bowen has now been loaned out to a club in Belgium. (Getty Images)
It's likely been a wild year for Tristan Bowen. At one point he was the Major League Soccer's
first academy player to sign a professional contract and up until this season he had shown a lot of
promise. He had two goals and two assists in 10 starts, but more relevantly looked consistently
dangerous and appeared to be a forward of the future.
BY ADAM SERRANO
Chivas USA have another decision to make with their top spot in the allocation order.
Former United States Under-20 striker Sammy Ochoa was signed by the league on Wednesday and on
Friday, the league will decide his placement via an allocation draft.
Chivas USA Coach Robin Fraser, Jimmy Conrad and Chivas USA General manager Jose Domene yuck
it up during the loosest retirement press conference in MLS history (Photo courtesy Chivas
USA).
Like fans, journalists like to watch great players; players capable of fantastic quotes, we love
even more.
Juan Pablo Angel trained with Chivas USA for the first time on Tuesday and now the deal is
sealed.
The Galaxy get a third round 2012 Supplemental Draft pick in exchange for the former EPL star
with Aston Villa; Chivas USA get a veteran striker who scored more MLS goals than any other player
in the last four seasons with New York, but managed just three for the Galaxy since joining them as
a replacement for Edson Buddle.
Penalty kick drama (or lack thereof) highlighted an uncharacteristically exciting scoreless draw
as the Sounders slugged it out with Chivas USA to split the points in Seattle.
Often the hero for the hosts, Alvaro Fernandez looked to be right on track as the DP drew a
first-half penalty after Michael Umana handled the ball in the area.
Welcome everyone! Dave and Jeremiah are out of town this weekend so I've taken over game thread
duties today. First off, Chivas USA at home is a winnable game. It's a game that most pundits
expect the Sounders to win. However, make no mistake, this won't be an easy game.
Coach Robin Fraser has done an admirable job in turning the Goats around in his first season as
head coach starting with a new defensive mindset and organization that gives Chivas USA a puncher's
chance in almost any match.
Freddy Adu's roller-coaster ride through Europe could end with a return to Major League
Soccer.
Chivas USA is lining up a move to sign Adu as a Designated Player, high-ranking MLS sources told
SBI late Tuesday night.
Adu is currently in the final year of his contract with Benfica, but could be allowed to move to
MLS on a free transfer as the Portuguese club is looking to unload his contract.
The New England Revolution are taking on Chivas USA in Foxboro tonight in their first home match
since they took a 3-0 shellacking at the hands of the Philadelphia Union back on July 17th. The
Revs just wrapped up a surprisingly successful road trip, taking 5 out of a possible 9 points and
picking up their first away win of the season over DC United.
By ADAM SERRANO
Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser has been eager to add some new blood to a team on the verge
of qualifying for the playoffs.
On Thursday, Chivas USA added veteran French midfielder Laurent Courtois, a veteran of top
leagues in France and England.
*Chivas USA wilted in the Texas heat today and lost to FC Dallas for their first loss in their
last five games. Dallas play the Galaxy next weekend in Carson.
Quotable:
"It was possibly the hottest game I have been a part of in MLS, so it was difficult for
both teams," Chivas USA Coach Robin Fraser said.
Photo by ISIPhotos.com
BY ADAM SERRANO
Landon Donovan looks fresh and rested and ready to face off against the Vancouver Whitecaps this
weekend.
The U.S. star did not take part in recent friendlies for the LA Galaxy against Manchester City
last Sunday and MLS All-Stars on Wednesday against Manchester United due to a right calf
strain.
Nick LaBrocca's qualities have been clear to the most discriminating observers since he was a
rookie fresh out of Rutgers seeing all of his playing time in Major League Soccer's Reserve
League.
It quickly vaulted him into the Colorado Rapids' starting lineup, and then Toronto FC's after a
trade last year, and now we're getting to see him emerge into a star.
Chivas USA 3 Houston Dynamo 0
Three and out: Chivas USA striker Justin Braun is subbed out by Coach Robin Fraser with just
three minutes left after scoring three goals in a game for the second time this season in
Saturday's win over Houston (Photo by Getty Images).
Goals by Justin Braun this season are like British buses; you don't see one for ages, then three
come along all at once.
Houston Dynamo (5-6-9, 24 pts.) at Chivas USA (5-7-8, 23 pts.) Home Depot Center - Carson, CA -
9:30 pm
BROADCAST:
KHOU 11.2 - 9:30 p.m. FOX Sports Houston Plus - 9:30 p.m. SportsTalk 790 - 9:00 p.m. La Ranchera
850 - 9:00 p.m.
REFEREE: Abbey Okulaja - MLS Career: 110 games; FC/gm: 27.
Photo by ISIPhotos.com
BY ADAM SERRANO
Juan Pablo Angel is hoping that a scoring tear is on its way. For one of the most proflic
scorers in MLS history, Angel has been unable to get into form this season for the LA Galaxy during
a season where he has dealt with a cross country move as well as various injuries.
BY ADAM SERRANO
New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Frank Rost made his debut for the club, but the German veteran was
outshined by his opposing goalkeeper.
Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy made four saves as Chivas USA and the New York Red Bulls
played to a scoreless draw in front of 14,838 at the Home Depot Center.
With Chivas USA's season hanging in the balance, Coach Robin Fraser admitted Saturday that a
forward - and one who needs a visa - could be signed as soon as next week.
The MLS international transfer window opened Friday.
"It certainly is a very big priority," Fraser said after seeing Chivas USA fail to get
a single shot on target against New York.
BY ADAM SERRANO
FC Dallas has shown that the willingness to persevere despite absence, injuries or change.
Part of that rise has been the play of two-way midfielder Andrew Jacobson, who appears to have
finally locked down a steady spot on an MLS club after three years of bouncing around the
league.
By ALAN LEDBETTER
A full week of MLS games made for a high scoring week last week. There is a much lighter
schedule this week with no teams playing twice this week as many of them are engaged in the US Open
Cup competition. Prepare a challenge to find the right starting lineup as most games are fairly
even this week.
By JONATHAN VERA
CARSON, Calif – It was an uneventful first half at the Home Depot Center in the clash between
Chivas USA and the San Jose Earthquakes. The passing was not up to par, and the final touches could
have been better.
But in the second half, that all changed.
