NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Chivas USA Look to Close out Road Trip with a Win

September 3, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


Chivas USA enter Wednesday's match versus Western Conference foe Seattle Sounders FC looking to close out their two-game Pacific Northwest swing in victorious fashion and salvage the final meeting of the season series between the sides. The Rojiblancos got off to a positive start in the two-game roadtrip by earning a point with a 2-2 draw against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday.

The mid-week match, which is set to kick off at 7 p.m. (PT) at CenturyLink Field, was originally scheduled for April 7 but was moved due to CONCACAF Champions League Semifinals. The game will be the third and final meeting of the Regular-Season between the clubs, as Sounders FC took the first two meetings beginning in June.

Seattle came out of the Week 15 meeting on with a 2-0 win at the then-called Home Depot Center. The Goats were led in that match by interim Head Coach Sacha van der Most, who serves as Chivas' Youth Academy Director. The match marked the beginning of the squad's implementation of a four-man back line. Seattle, however, were able to get on the board first and were able to take the win.

The Rojiblancos came up short in the rematch nearly two months later at CenturyLink Field, falling 2-1 on Lamar Neagle's eventual game-winner in the 57th minute. The Red-and-White took the initial lead when Erick Torres took a pass from Carlos Alvarez inside the box and placed it into the back of the net in the 16th minute.

Since then, the Goats have continued to solidify their formation and tactics under Head Coach Jose Luis Real, as they have come away with points in three of their last four matches. The Red-and-White attack has been led by Torres, as the 20-year-old striker is coming off of back-to-back two-goal performances to give him a team-high six goals since his arrival via loan from brother club Chivas Guadalajara.

Chivas have also bolstered their depth by recently adding a trio of offensive weapons in midfielder Bryan de la Fuente - who scored his first career goal in his first start - as well as forward Matthew Fondy and midfielder Carlo Chueca. The added scoring threats will not only bolster the Red-and-White's starting 11 but it gives Real mores options off the bench heading into a match where Seattle will be without Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson due to international call-ups.

Sounders FC hold the all-time advantage in the series at 6-2-4 since their beginning in 2009, while Chivas USA will look to record their first-ever win at Seattle Wednesday night and deliver Real's first road win. In five previous meetings in the Emerald City, the Goats have managed to come away with a pair of ties. The 13th installment of the series is programmed to kick off at 7 p.m. (PT) and will be televised in Spanish on MundoFOX 22 and will also be broadcasted in Spanish on W Radio 690 AM.

Torres & Bocanegra seeking three points against Seattle

Coming off a 2-2 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Chivas USA enter this Wednesday's match against Seattle Sounders FC with the determination to show in the final score the hard work and improvement that team has had in the past few games.

One player that has found his spark and has provided a lot to the team since his integration to the Red-and-White is forward Erick "Cubo" Torres. In just seven games in Major League Soccer, Torres has notched a total of six goals, four in the past two games. In last Sunday's match, Torres scored a beautiful bicycle kick that now has him nominated for MLS Goal of the Week.

It's that confidence that motivates Torres to continue his scoring streak in this Wednesday's match against the Sounders, his second since joining the club in early July.

"I feel motivated to be able to help the team," Torres said after Tuesday's training in Seattle. "First of all, I thank my teammates because they are part of this, the coaching staff that has given me the confidence and God. I feel very motivated to continue scoring and responding well to the confidence that my teammates and coaching staff give me."

Coming into Wednesday's match, Chivas USA backline, which includes international defender Carlos Bocanegra, will not have to worry about Sounders' attackers Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson, who are currently serving their time with the U.S. Men's National Team ahead of the World Cup Qualifier. Regardless, Chivas USA will not let their guard down against an always dangerous Seattle.

"They have a good team. Obviously Clint and Eddie are gone with the National Team and Brad Evans picked up an injury last week. They're key players who are not going to be there and that's going to be a little bit of a boost for us," Bocanegra said.

Chivas USA will look to add three points against Seattle Sounders FC this Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. (PT) at Century Link Field. Fans will be able to enjoy this Wednesday's match live on Mundo Fox-22 as well as on W 690 AM Radio. For all the latest news and updates, make sure to follow us on Twitter: @cdchivasusa.

Chivas USA already training in Seattle

After having Monday evening off to visit the Emerald City, Chivas USA returned to the training fields on Tuesday morning to hold their first and only session ahead of their match against Seattle Sounders FC set for Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. (PT) at CenturyLink Field.

At 9:30 a.m. (PT), the Red-and-White headed to the Sounders' training fields at the Starfire Sports Complex. Around 10 a.m. the group began to warm up with short games of 'torito.' After about five minutes, they went on with a light jog around the field and concluded their warm-up with some stretching.

Later on, the Goats split up in three groups located in three five-by-five-yard boxes. With the goal of increasing the intensity and difficulty of the activity, each group worked on passes and regaining possession.

After 20 minutes under the Seattle rain, the entire group led by Head Coach Jose Luis Real moved on to tactical work focusing on ball distribution from the midfield forward and shots at goal.

Training concluded with the forwards working alongside Chivas Director of Soccer Francisco Palencia on shooting at goal from different locations within the box.

With kickoff set for 7 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, the Red-and-White fans will be able to watch their team face the Sounders in Spanish on MundoFOX22 and by listening to W Radio 690 AM.

• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...

Major League Soccer Stories from September 3, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central