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Chivas USA teams up with Real So Cal, one of America's premier youth soccer clubs

February 7, 2007 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Wednesday, February 7, 2007) - Chivas USA today announced that it has entered into a partnership with Real So Cal, one of the United States' premier youth soccer clubs. The multifaceted agreement, between Major League Soccer's Mexican-owned team and the Coast Soccer League club, covers an array of activities, from exhibition games, to cross-promotion, to joint scouting and recruiting.

"Chivas USA is proud to partner with such an esteemed soccer organization as Real So Cal," said Chivas USA Senior Vice President and General Manager Whit Haskel. "Through our relationship with RSC, we not only add an important partner to the Chivas USA family; we also continue to underscore our commitment to providing opportunity to young players throughout the Southland, while brining our brand to the soccer community in the San Fernando Valley."

"Real So Cal looks forward to its community relationship with Chivas USA. We are impressed with Chivas USA's desire to establish links to the local soccer community. There is a shared interest in developing youth players, and many of our players are Chivas fans," said Howard Fink, President of Real So Cal.

Under the terms of the deal, Chivas USA has arranged to play a preseason exhibition game against fellow MLS side Real Salt Lake, hosted by Real So Cal, on Saturday, March 17 in Granada Hills, California. In addition, the Chivas USA Reserves will play a game against the San Fernando Valley Quakes, Real So Cal's Premier Development League (fourth-tier) affiliate, at a date to be announced. The clubs will also perform a variety of exchanges in terms of scouting, player development and other technical areas.

"When we first looked at soccer organizations in Southern California, we tried to identify those clubs that had a solid track record of player development," said Chivas USA Director of Football and former Chivas Guadalajara head of scouting Dennis te Kloese. "Across the Southland, Real So Cal is one of the clubs stands out for its professionalism, organization and success in producing players who can perform at the next level."

The deal will officially kick off on March 17, when Chivas USA faces Real Salt Lake at 7:30 p.m. PT at Granada Hills High School's John Elway Stadium. Tickets are currently on sale during a special pre-sale period exclusively for Real So Cal and San Fernando Valley Quakes members, as well as Chivas USA season ticket holders via 1-877-CHIVAS-1. Public sale, with tickets starting at just $10, begins February 15 via www.quakessoccer.com.

"RSL looks forward to renewing our rivalry with Chivas USA, and we're honored to help kick off this important youth initiative," said Real Salt Lake General Manager Steve Pastorino. "We know the Real So Cal players, volunteers and families community will be excited to see RSL's stars like Jeff Cunningham, Eddie Pope, Jason Kreis and Freddy Adu, and to welcome back alumni Chris Seitz and Kyle Reynish. I hope Real fans make themselves heard in the stands!"

Real So Cal, whose teams compete in Southern California's Coast Soccer League, was formed in 2006, with the merger between So Cal United and West Valley Samba, two of the Southland's most competitive soccer clubs. Real So Cal was recently ranked No. 4 by Soccer America magazine's '2007 Top 20 Boys Clubs' in all of the United States, while ranking No. 14 among Girls Clubs - no other Southern California Club has both boys and girls teams ranked as high. An impressive four former Real So Cal players were selected in the recent 2007 MLS drafts, including two Real Salt Lake players: goalkeepers Chris Seitz (SuperDraft, No. 4 overall) and Kyle Reynish (Supplemental Draft, No. 43 overall). Other Real So Cal alumni currently in MLS include Chivas USA midfielder Rodrigo López (So Cal United) and New England Revolution forward Willie Sims (West Valley Samba).



Major League Soccer Stories from February 7, 2007


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