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Chivas USA Weekly Update

March 19, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CHIVAS USA TO FACE CHIVAS GUADALAJARA

Chivas USA will play sister club Chivas Guadalajara in a friendly at Estadio Olimpico in Ciudad Juarez (Mex) on Wednesday beginning at 4 p.m. (PT). The match will be played in benefit of EDUCARE, an education institute in Ciudad Juarez that builds hope for one of that city's most marginalized and violence-stricken communities. For that, Chivas will participate in different activities with the goal of benefiting the institution. A significant percentage of the match's proceeds will be put toward the second stage of EDUCARE Ciudad Juarez's construction.

INDEPENDENT REVIEW PANEL RESCINDS SUSPENSION AND FINE GIVEN TO VELAZQUEZ

An independent review panel rescinded the suspension and fine that Rojiblancos center back Joaquin Velazquez had received for a red card issued during last Sunday's SuperClásico. As a result, Velazquez is eligible for selection in next Sunday-s first road match of the season when Chivas USA faces the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. In the 40th minute of the first leg of the SuperClásico, Velazquez was shown a yellow card, and seconds later a red card, for a tackle made near the Red-and-White's defensive third. The Red-and-White organization submitted a petition of review on the play, and the independent review panel - which consists of one representative from each of the following entities: U.S. Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association, and Professional Referees Organization (PRO) - concluded that the automatic fine and one-game suspension should be rescinded.

ROJIBLANCOS TRAVEL TO CHICAGO FOR SEASON'S FIRST ROAD MATCH

Chivas USA continues its MLS play this Sunday when it plays its first road match of the 2013 campaign against the Chicago Fire. Sunday's match will be the Rojiblancos' second meeting versus an Eastern Conference opponent, and because of the MLS' unbalanced schedule format, the game will be the only meeting between the clubs this season. Chivas USA fell 2-1 to Chicago at The Home Depot Center last May on a game-winning goal in stoppage time. Forward Juan Pablo Angel gave the Red-and-White the initial lead on a first-half penalty kick, but the Fire responded with two scores for the road win.

INJURY REPORT AS OF MARCH 19, 2013

OUT: Walter Vilchez (L knee MCL sprain, L ankle sprain)

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HISTORY OF CHIVAS USA VS. CHICAGO FIRE

Chivas USA All-Time Record vs. Fire

MLS Regular Season: 4-8-3

Home: 2-4-2 (9 GF, 12 GA)

Away: 2-4-1 (8 GF, 12 GA)

All-Time Scoring: Chivas USA - 17, Fire - 24

Last Match vs. Fire

Chivas USA 1, Fire 2; May 4, 2012 - The Home Depot Center

The sides met as part of Cinco de Mayo weekend festivities at The Home Depot Center and were locked in a 1-1 tie heading into stoppage time. The Goats went up on Juan Pablo Angel's penalty kick in the 23rd minute. Chicago then evened the score two minutes later on an Austin Berry score and were able to come away with the road win in dramatic form, as Marco Pappa's strike in the 93rd minute gave the visitors the last-minute win.

GOATS NOTES AND FACTS

Rojiblancos Re-Sign Tim Melia

Chivas USA re-signed back-up goalkeeper Tim Melia to a contract extension, the club announced today. The 26-year-old New York native is in his fourth MLS season and second with the Rojiblancos. Melia was acquired last season by the Rebaño Angelino and made two starts in October, recording a tie in the season finale. Melia also made starts for Chivas USA in US Open Cup and Reserve League competition.

Rookie Carlos Alvarez Makes his SuperClásico and Pro Debut in Grand Form

Rookie midfielder Carlos Alvarez made his professional debut in last Sunday-s SuperClásico and knocked in the equalizer in the 89th minute to give Chivas USA a 1-1 tie against its cross-hall rival the LA Galaxy. Alvarez, an East Los Angeles native drafted No. 2 overall in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Connecticut, came into the match as a sub to start the second half. Playing a man down, the Rojiblancos trailed 1-0 late in the first leg of the three-game season series, when defender Carlos Borja saw Alvarez make his run toward the far post and crossed a pass from the right side of the box for the dramatic score.

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