Chivas USA Focusing on SKC

Published on May 2, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


On the third practice of the week ahead of the 10th match of the 2013 MLS season, where the Red-and-White will face Sporting Kansas City, Chivas USA had a tactical training and held an inter-squad scrimmage with players that could take part of the initial line-up for Sunday's match.

At The Home Depot Center's Field 6, after a warm-up session based on a light jog around the field and a series of aerobic exercises, the players were ready for the day's work. Coach, José Luis Sánchez Solá devoted some time to fix his line-up, perfecting the strategy that will be used on the game against Sporting. Through an inter-squad scrimmage in reduced spaces, Chivas USA worked on half of the field, prioritizing the possession and passing of the ball to generate an efficient game on all zones of the field.

Later, the prospective starting line-up of Chivas USA had a scrimmage of over 40 minutes against the remaining players. "Chelis" demanded the players the same intensity that is expected at Sunday's game at Sporting Park.

Just before noon, and after a final set of stretching exercises, the practice concluded. The team will travel Friday morning to Kansas City, where the final preparations will continue towards 10th match of the 1013 MLS season.

Dan Kennedy's passion

As a player born and raised in Southern California, Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy has seen his career blossom from the high school and collegiate ranks up to the professional level within miles of his hometown of Yorba Linda. And with Thursday's announcement that the Red-and-White captain has signed a contract that will guarantee his stay with the team until 2016, Kennedy will call Chivas USA home for the next two seasons as well.

"I'm extremely excited about the news," said Kennedy. "It sends a statement of where this club is going, and they are willing to stick by my side. And I will definitely be sticking by theirs. There are a lot of reasons why I want to be here. This is the club that gave me my first opportunity in MLS, so I definitely have a lot of passion for this club."

Kennedy was drafted by Chivas USA in 2005 after a stellar career at UC Santa Barbara, but opted to first play abroad in Puerto Rico and Chile. Kennedy returned to the Rebaño Angelino in 2008 and since taking over as the starting goalkeeper in 2010, has become one of Chivas USA's cornerstones and one of MLS' top goalkeepers, earning his first All-Star selection last season. And the sixth-year net minder is eager to continue to add to Chivas USA's solid start to the season and continue to make his mark with the Red-and-White.

"The way things ended last season I didn't want to seem like just someone who wanted to get out of here," Kennedy added. "I wanted to stand by it and prove that we had more in us. If we can be the group that moves us forward it will say a lot about the character of this team, and I want to be a part of that."

Head Coach Jose Luis Sanchez Sola named Kennedy team captain at the beginning of the season and will surely continue to look toward the goalkeeper to provide the same intensity and leadership on the pitch he has displayed in goal for the Rojiblancos. And Kennedy says that doing it in front of family and friends makes the announcement that more special.

"I have incredible support from my family," Kennedy said. "They come to every home game. It's really special after every game. I get to see friends and family immediately when I look up into the stands. It's a luxury to have as a player".

Red-and-White youth player makes dream come true

It wasn't going to be long until Chivas USA U18 forward Caleb Calvert got a call from a member of the Red-and-White technical staff inviting him to come out to First Team training. After all, the 16 year-old, playing one level up, had already scored 18 goals in the 2012/13 USSDA season. Calvert was expecting a chance, just not any time soon. When Youth Academy Director Sacha van Der Most gave him a call last Sunday extending an invitation, he was ecstatic.

"It's beyond exciting. I never thought it would happen this soon, to be honest, because I went through a really rough time beforehand and this year, it all seems to be coming together. Now, playing with the First Team, it's just a dream come true," said the Wrightwood, Calif. native.

Joining the First Team for Wednesday's scrimmage against the Los Angeles Misioneros, Calvert was part of the line-up conformed of regular MLS starters such as team captain Dan Kennedy, Mario de Luna and Eric Avila. With both his parents overlooking from afar, Calvert was taking part of something that before today, would've been just a dream.

"It's incredible; it's truly a great feeling playing with professionals at such a young age. It's just an awesome feeling. I felt that the game was definitely of higher play. There was a lot more space than what I was expecting playing in and the speed, it's a lot more than it is in the Academy," he added.

Calvert will continue to take part of Chivas USA's First Team training every day this week. And according to Coach Chelis, this week's training will not be the last time Calvert joins the first team.

"Chelis told me to come whenever I feel like it. I'm still in school right now, but summer is coming really soon and I want to be here. He said that this isn't going to be the last time I'm going to be here, so I'm really excited," Calvert finalized.

Chivas USA, sponsor of Copa Interliga

In an effort to help grow soccer in Southern California, Chivas USA will take part and scout new talent for its Academy in the Copa Interliga Lowe's presented by La Opinion newspaper this weekend at the Bell Gardens Sports Complex in the City of Bell Gardens.

The first-ever tournament of its kind was designed to help celebrate youth soccer among the Hispanic community of Southern California, and will count with players ages 10 to 18 years old, from 12 of the top leagues in Southern California.

The Copa Interliga Lowe's will kick-off this Saturday, May 4th, with the team presentations and the first-round of games. On the following day, the qualifying teams will face-off in the second round, looking for one of the two spots in the championship match.

At the end of the tournament, the participating league with the most points in every category will take home the 'Interliga Champions Cup.'

The Copa Interliga will begin this weekend in the Bell Gardens Sports Complex facilities, kicking off at 8 am on Saturday and closing on Sunday at 5 pm.

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