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Chivas USA to face CONCACAF Champions' Cup winners

April 21, 2006 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Friday, April 21, 2006) - Major League Soccer club Chivas USA announced today that it will play Club América, one of Mexico's most successful and controversial soccer teams, on Sunday, July 23, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center. The announcement comes just two days after América claimed the 2006 CONCACAF Champions' Cup title with a 2-1 victory Wednesday night over Toluca at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca.

"Chivas USA is proud to offer our fans an exhibition match of this caliber, against one of Mexico's most renowned clubs and one of the great rivals of our sister team," said Chivas USA Senior Vice President and General Manager Whit Haskel. "Matches between Mexican clubs and MLS teams have become increasingly common, and may soon become a permanent fixture in our region. This match provides an exciting taste of things to come."

The showdown between Chivas USA and América represents a revenge match for the Mexico City club, since on March 23, 2005, Chivas USA defeated América 1-0, in the border city of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, with 30th-minute header by Ezra Hendrickson. In addition, this will be América's first match at The Home Depot Center since its appearance in the 2005 InterLiga tournament in January of that year. Last year, the 'Águilas' (Eagles) also participated in the historic 'Doble Clásico' doubleheader in Los Angeles, in which nearly 90,000 fans - the second-highest attendance in MLS history - saw Chivas USA face the Los Angeles Galaxy, plus Guadalajara versus América, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Chivas USA vs. América is Bonus Game 'B' for Chivas USA season ticket holders. Starting at just $10 per game, Chivas USA's season ticket, the 'ChivaBono', also includes Mexico vs. Venezuela (Bonus Game 'A') on Friday, May 5 at the Rose Bowl, plus the Sunday, August 6 doubleheader featuring Chivas USA vs. New England Revolution and current UEFA Champions League semifinalists Barcelona of Spain against a Mexican First Division club.

Club América, one of Mexico's most popular teams, has been Mexican league champion 10 times, a record shared with their closest rivals, Chivas USA's sister team Club Deportivo Guadalajara. América - whose team includes such stars as Mexican players Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Germán Villa, Duilio Davino, Aarón Padilla; Brazilians Kléber and Irenio Soares; and Argentine Claudio 'El Piojo' López - will bring its full squad for the match against Chivas USA.

Tickets for Chivas USA vs. Club América will go on sale in the coming weeks. In the meantime, fans can reserve seats by leaving a deposit - or by purchasing their 2006 ChivaBono - by calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1.

América is set to arrive in Southern California by Friday, July 21. As part of its visit there will be an open practice for a select group of fans. Details will be announced later.

Chivas USA, Major League Soccer's Mexican-owned, Los Angeles-based franchise, is playing its second campaign in MLS. Tickets for Chivas USA's 2006 season, starting at just $10 per game, are available by calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or online via www.cdchivasusa.com.



Major League Soccer Stories from April 21, 2006


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