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Chivas USA Signs Costa Rican Defender Michael Umaña

March 11, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, March 11, 2010) - Chivas USA announced on Thursday that it has signed Michael Umaña, a Costa Rican defender and veteran of the 2006 World Cup, as an international player. Umaña, 27, is a veteran of the Costa Rican Primera Division, and also played the 2005 MLS season with the LA Galaxy. He will be added to the team's roster pending receipt of a work visa; per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Michael has impressed us throughout preseason, and we're excited to have him join the team for 2010," said Head Coach Martín Vásquez. "He is a versatile, talented and experienced defender who is going to be an important part of our success this season."

Umaña has made 40 appearances with the Costa Rican National Team, including playing 90 minutes in all three matches the team played at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He also played the bulk of Costa Rica's matches in 2010 World Cup Qualifying, has played in three Gold Cups with the squad, and was a part of Costa Rica's Olympic Team in 2004. Umaña joins the Red-and-White after playing for Liberia Mia in Costa Rica for the past three years. Prior clubs in Costa Rica include CS Herediano, Brujas, and AD Carmelita, which was Umaña's first professional team, joining in 1999 as a 17-year-old. In 2005, the defender made 15 appearances for the LA Galaxy.

Chivas USA will play its final preseason exhibition match on Saturday, March 20 at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara against the Houston Dynamo, and will kick off t he regular season against the Colorado Rapids on Friday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center. Season seats are on sale starting at just $10 per game; for more information, or to purchase tickets, visit cdchivasusa.com or call 1-877-CHIVAS-1.

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