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Academy Spotlight: Coach Rivas Rediscovered Love for Soccer Through Youth Coaching

December 9, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


The way Coach Sammy Rivas describes it, by the time he wrapped up his professional playing career in Mexico - a career that began at age 19 and spanned 11 years - he wanted nothing to do with soccer.

Rivas, who played primarily as a forward during the late 70s and majority of the 80s, says that he left the game with a bad taste. Despite an impressive career-span that saw him play in Mexico's top circuit for four different clubs, including five seasons with Chivas in his native Guadalajara, where he helped lead the legendary club to two league finals, including one against arch-rival America.

Rivas points to unpleasant experiences and dealings he witnessed as the reasons for his displeasure at the end of his playing days. He eventually moved to Southern California, which he has called home now for 25 years.

In that span, Rivas raised a family and soon found himself gradually rediscovering the love for the game while coaching his daughter and two sons from a young age. Eventually, he began coaching at the youth level and credits that experience as a youth coach for once again awakening his passion for futbol.

Years later, thanks to his old friend and teammate from his days with Guadalajara, Javier "El Zully" Ledesma, who was one of Chivas USA's first assistant coaches since its founding, introduced Rivas to current Sporting President Dennis te Kloese. Rivas was soon invited by Te Kloese to assist with the establishment of the Rebaño Angelino's first youth academy.

"One always has the game in them," Rivas said. "I've seen soccer my whole life. I have friends in soccer and my entire family is about soccer. I moved away from the game for various reasons, different things I experienced. But when I began coaching my children I began to enjoy it because it was something different and I have not left coaching since.

"Two of my sons played collegiate soccer. They didn't have the opportunity to play professionally, but they did earn degrees while they played. So for me, having coached them and sacrificed so much time was well worth it."

After a brief lapse away from the Red-and-White club, Rivas was brought back this year and entrusted with the Under-23 squad. In their debut season, the squad was crowned state champs and is currently in the hunt for a second playoff berth to defend their title.

As part of Chivas USA's long-term academy plans. Rivas has become a vital and trusted instructor, and says it is a great feeling to have the duty of developing the eldest squad, which serves as a potential spring-board for his players to earn a First-Team promotion. After their first season, one of Rivas' players indeed ascended to the Senior Team, when midfielder Bryan de la Fuente was signed last August.

"It's a magnificent thing because Dennis and [Youth Academy Director Sacha van der Most] have known me for many years and know of my capacity to keep motivating players and trying to steer them down the professional path. I lived it, I can share my experience and teach it. It feels great because it is not just me, we have a great academy staff behind me that helps me and motivates me. I could not do it by myself," Rivas concluded.

Recap: U14s remain unbeaten

Chivas USA's U14 Team ended the year last Saturday with a 14-game unbeaten streak, by far the best record in their category. The young Red-and-White squad pulled a 3-3 draw with Strikers FC last Saturday at the Irvine Valley College's Field 1. With yet another strong performance from the Chivas USA U14s, Josue de la Torre notched two goals against the Strikers that would place him as the top goal scorer in the team. Playing a year up, Carlos Anguiano also scored a goal of his own that would help the team earn their last draw of the year.

The Red-and-White's U14 Team will have a three-month break from action in U.S. Soccer's Development Academy, and will return to action within the league on Saturday, March 1st when they host FC Golden State at the Bell Gardens Sports Complex.

Back to their winning ways, Chivas USA's U23 Team earned a strong 6-1 victory over Tustin Celtic on Saturday evening at the Bell Gardens Sports Complex. Despite all teams going on winter break, or participating in national tournaments, the Red-and-White U23 Team will continue action as they visit Pateadores SC next Sunday, December 15 at 5 p.m. at Vanguard University.

For all the latest news and updates on Chivas USA's Youth Development Academy, follow us on Twitter:@ChivasUSAYouth & @cdchivasusa .

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