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Alvarez Highlights Reaching His Goal

November 5, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


Coming into his rookie season in Major League Soccer, Chivas USA midfielder Carlos Alvarez says he knew he had the talent and ability to earn significant playing time. His only concern, he says, was whether his first professional club would rely on its more experienced players and push the younger ones to the side to simply learn and develop.

As a four-year starter at the University of Connecticut, who racked up countless awards and accolades with the Huskies in the Big East Conference, Alvarez was drafted second-overall by the Red-and-White in the SuperDraft and reported to camp immediately to begin displaying the skill and work-ethic that made him a top prospect.

Three games into the season against their arch-rival the LA Galaxy, the East Los Angeles product came on as a sub to make his pro debut in the all-important SuperClásico. As the Rojiblancos found themselves playing both a man and goal down late in the first leg of the derby, Alvarez got on the end of a cross from Carlos Borja and delivered the equalizer in the 89th minute.

From then, the midfielder went on to make 26 starts and finished the season with two goals and three assists. Alvarez became a constant in the Red-and-White midfield and his 29 total appearances were the third-most on the club.

"The coaches really asked me to get the ball on take on people," Alvarez mentioned. "Most of the time I would want to try and put that killer pass or create something instead of me taking the shot.

"I thought I needed to work more on my ball control and movement and reading the game more so I stayed after practice to work on little aspects in the midfield with players who have been in the League."

That vital time with veterans such as team captain Dan Kennedy and Bobby Burling, Alvarez says, helped him develop as a professional and get familiar with the rigors of the 34-game season. Between Kennedy and Burling there are 13 MLS seasons of experience, and they shared every bit that they could with the 22-year-old, which he says he is thankful and appreciative for.

"Both of them helped me out so much. Just with them speaking to me and having that confidence from them telling me that I could become something and to just keep working and everything was going to fall into place."

Heading into next season, Alvarez will look to elevate his game and tally more points while still maintaining the defensive intensity he displayed this year. The midfielder has become one of the club's building blocks and is among one of the most talented players in their core of youngsters.

Fondy's MLS experience a dream

Earlier this year, forward Matthew Fondy would have never thought he'd be playing with Chivas USA in Major League Soccer. Although it was his all-time dream to play at the highest level of soccer in the United States, he was focused on giving his all with his then-team, the Los Angeles Blues in his second year with the squad.

On Aug. 30, Fondy's longtime dream became a reality as he was signed on to the Red-and-White, where he ended up playing in seven games, and starting in one.

"It was better than I ever could dream; I feel like it was the tip of the iceberg, it's what I want to be doing," Fondy told cdchivasusa.com. "I'm thrilled as I am to have been there for the past few months, to get to know the players and the coaching staff, administration; I definitely want to continue and want to improve."

Although his jump into MLS was new to Fondy, he knew he was ready for it. Every time the forward stepped onto the field, he became a player to watch, making it seem like he was an experienced MLS player. For Fondy, his time with the San Jose Earthquakes Reserve League squad and in the USL Professional Division served him as a benefit in his integration to MLS.

"My whole life I've been looking at MLS and other leagues," the 24 year-old forward pointed out. "I think the USL was a stepping stone for me to get to MLS. Mentally I was prepared. I think the biggest jump is physically; the technical level is very good. I think physically I was prepared and once I got used to the style of play, I definitely thought I could handle it and like I said I'm ready to make the team successful next year."

In just two months, Fondy lived a dream. Playing in the top league in the United States, making his debut and being able to make his first start was just the beginning for the Foster City, Calif. native. Fondy also had the opportunity to notch his first goal with the Goats in a Reserve League match. The goal was special for Fondy, as he scored on his former Reserve team, the San Jose Earthquakes, and in front of his friends and family.

"My best memory is probably starting against the Galaxy; it was their home game unfortunately. Just that atmosphere, walking out against the Galaxy; they have a lot of players who have been in national teams and have big names overall, that was really special for me. It was just affirming my dream coming true. But also when I scored a goal at San Jose, it was one of the better goals in my career, scoring against a team that let me go, felt good also," Fondy recalled.

With the 2013 season over, Fondy now sets his sights onto the upcoming campaign, and he knows just what he wants.

"I want the team to be better next year. I want to have a team that makes it to the Playoffs and a team that is talked about around the League," Fondy concluded.

Chivas USA return for second consecutive practice

Chivas USA held their second consecutive practice on Tuesday morning as part of their work week beginning at 9:30 a.m. PT at the StubHub Center's Field 4. The Goats kicked off the session with variations of movements at short distances for initial warm-ups under the instructions of Strength and Conditioning Coach Armando Camacho.

Players then incorporated the ball into their routine by serving off passes to their teammates at close proximity before moving on to strength and core work. The group was then split into two to participate in a distribution and short receiving drill that implemented elements and variations of give-and-go sequences as well as triangulating build-up.

The morning then culminated with a series of eight-on-seven competitions in reduced space, in which the offensive side would push forward for a score. Meanwhile, the defensive side would look to dispossess the ball and maintain it, with the objective of building the distribution and sending the final pass to the opposing end of the drill.

After competing for the bulk of the training and concluding the morning with recovery stretches, the players were dismissed for the day. The Red-and-White will return for the midway point of their work week on Wednesday morning on Field 4.

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