De Luna Knows Best What Real Can Bring
June 14, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release
With the arrival of Jose Luis "G-ero" Real, one of Mexico's most revered and respected soccer minds, as Chivas USA's new Head Coach, perhaps no other player on the current roster knows the new strategist better than defender Mario de Luna. The first-year Rojiblanco met Real as a youngster when he was part of Chivas Guadalajara's renowned youth academy and Real was serving as its Director.
Years later, as De Luna, now 25, continued to develop in the system, he eventually earned a place with Guadalajara's First Team, making his debut with the Rebaño Sagrado in 2008 and competing in the prestigious Copa Libertadores as well as other recognized tournaments around the world. Now, in his first season with the Red-and-White, De Luna knows that "El Guero" Real has both the knowledge and track record to bring Chivas USA success.
"He's a coach who teaches you a lot and helps you," said De Luna. "We hope that we can replicate the same success we had in Guadalajara here with Chivas USA. The team is in very good hands. He wasn't hired just because of who he is or because he works with Guadalajara, but because of what he has achieved and what he knows and how he inspires his players to get the best out of them."
And Real has without question achieved several feats throughout his career. Aside from a professional resume as a player that spans over a decade with both Guadalajara and Club Atlas to go along with several call-ups to Mexico's National Team, Real has led countless Mexican Youth National Teams as Technical Director. The Guadalajara native also served as head coach for both Guadalajara and Atlas. And it was a Real-led Chivas team that reached the Copa Libertadores final with a young and up-coming De Luna on their roster, which is an achievement the Chivas Guadalajara product says he will never forget.
"I was fortunate to be with [Real] and the team that reached the finals and play in it. Unfortunately, we didn't win the championship, but it's something that is etched in Chivas' history. It was a dream come true that you will never forget and that will be alive in every one of us that were a part of it."
For now, the primary goal is to prepare under the Rebaño Angelino's new shepherd, who has clear idea of what he and his staff want to implement ahead of his MLS debut, as the Rojiblancos prepare to jump back into League action next Wednesday against Western Conference rival Vancouver Whitecaps FC on the road.
Real preps Rebaño Angelino for friendly with Guadalajara
Chivas USA returned to full-squad practice Friday morning at The Home Depot Center's Field 6 in preparation for Sunday's friendly against brother club Chivas Guadalajara. The Mexican side completed today their eighth day of training in Los Angeles as part of their 10-day preseason trip.
The Red-and-White took to the pitch at 11 a.m. under the guidance of newly-appointed Head Coach José Luis Real Casillas, who was formally introduced in a press conference Thursday.
The session initiated with a team trot around the pitch and proceeded to incorporate agility and flexibility drills for added warm-ups. Afterwards, the group broke up into two drills, with the first squad continuing their strength and conditioning work under the instructions of Academy Strength and Conditioning Coach Claudio Trabattoni. Meanwhile, the second group began their ball work at midfield by giving short passes to teammates and around obstacle dummies. The same group then competed in a five-on-five scrimmage in reduced space.
The conditioning group then incorporated the ball into their work as well with games of soccer tennis. The morning session concluded with a team stretch while a number of attacking players worked on finishing and touches inside the box.
Preview: U23 look to remain unbeaten
Chivas USA's U23 squad will look to remain unbeaten in the So Cal Premier League when they face Valley United Soccer Club this Saturday at 5 p.m. (PT) at the John Anson Ford Park in the City of Bell Gardens. In the two games played so far this season, the Red-and-White have obtained a draw and a victory. A positive result this Saturday against Valley United would keep the team in first place in the League.
"Even though we're just two games into the League, the team wants to maintain this rhythm and get used to winning," said Mike Muñoz, U23 assistant coach. "We count with several talented players that have played or began training with the First Team and Reserves."
Among those players is Christian González, current top scorer in the League with five goals in two games. In the team's last game, the Red-and-White defeated FC Expat with a 6-0 final score, and Gonzalez notching a hat trick.
In their first game of the season, Valley United came out with a 2-1 win over their FC Expat counterpart. This Saturday's game will kick-off at 5 p.m. (PT) at John Anson Ford Park. For more information on this game, make sure to follow us on Twitter: @cdchivasusa and @ChivasUSAYouth.
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