Delgado Returns with Greater Motivation

November 27, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


The 2013 season has been a busy year for Chivas USA's Marky Delgado. The 18-year old midfielder came from playing in Major League Soccer's Reserve League to starting in 13 of the 16 games he saw action this season, becoming a key member of team despite his young age.

With the 2013 campaign already in the books, Delgado received this month his first call-up to the United States U20 Men's National Team, after the Red-and-White player spent the last few years developing in the National Team's younger groups.

"My first camp with the U20's was something new and I knew I had to be prepared for it; the first impressions are always the biggest impressions," said Delgado about his participation in this camp. "In the beginning, it was kind of rough; my first training session, my first game back [from my knee injury], I wasn't fit. In the next few days, with the double training sessions, and time, I got fit, I had my touch back, and my confidence was up again. I was out there, working hard, and trying to earn a spot."

Over in Verona, Italy, Delgado and the U.S National Team matched up against the youth ranks of Italian Serie A clubs Hellas Verona and Atalanta Primavera. In the first match, the US U-20 MNT fell 4-1 to Hellas Verona. However, in the following days, the National Team was able to regain their form earning a 4-1 win over Atalanta. Delgado was given the chance to participate in both games, contributing with his first assists with the U-20's.

"In the first game I played right back, it was kind of hard because you really have to be fit, and I wasn't that fit," Delgado mentioned. "In the second game, I started at midfield, my natural position. Also, I had an assist and I was captain, which was an honor, as always."

Even though the group had its entire focus on the camp, the players had a limited opportunity to go out and explore the city and its surroundings. Delgado was able to visit the Verona Arena, walk through the shopping alley, and eat Italy's authentic food.

The U.S. U20's Training Camp ended on Nov. 20, and with that each player returned to their clubs. Now, back in Los Angeles and with the Red-and-White's offseason already ongoing, Delgado wants to take advantage of the break and get perfectly fit. To do so, the Chivas USA First Team player will return to the club's U-18's to participate in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

"I'm going to train with the Academy, stay fit, go to the gym, and stay strong. Hopefully I can get a few games in the Winter Showcase and be back with the team in January," Delgado finalized.

The fitness plan ahead of preseason

The off-season for a professional athlete serves as not just a period of physical and mental break, but of a critical stage to recover from injuries, rid the body of unwanted toxins and preparation to return rejuvenated for next preseason.

Even though Chivas USA's First Team is officially off, the Goats have been given specific fitness plans designed by Strength and Conditioning Coach Armando Camacho. The individual plans are designed to first and foremost help their bodies recover from the grueling 34-game Major League Soccer season, and secondly, to ensure that they return to camp in shape for the rigors of preseason. The plan laid out by Camacho is just a small guide for each respective player to have their own customized regimen during the following nine weeks away from live competition.

"I took it upon myself to create a work plan for each player consisting of four weeks of regenerative work and five weeks of segmented training," said Camacho. "I am giving them specific exercises so that when they arrive at preseason they are not starting at zero, but rather with a completed program."

After wrapping up the regular season - in addition to the numerous scrimmages and other competitions - it is vital to reduce the physical toll on a player's body to obtain a satisfactory recovery, Camacho says. He encourages players to complete physical work that consists of a relaxing and non-demanding activity for the first couple weeks.

"It's important to take no less than three weeks to completely recovery," Camacho added. "The player has to get away from the athletic demands. He will have to continue some sort of activity, but with the objective of recovering completely both physically and mentally. This can be achieved with bike rides, family walks or simply going to the beach. The most recommendable thing is to listen to what your body is asking of you, because at the end each and every player's recovery needs are different."

Upon completing their recovery stage, players will then move on to gradually begin getting back into physical work consisting of about two to four sessions a week. These training sessions combine various strength and resistance drills, as well as speed and coordination work, which have been specifically assigned and personalized to suit each player.

"The work of the following weeks is more intense and calls for the use of exercise equipment and exercises that target different areas of the body. Specific regimens have been designed for each player during this stage as well. For example, some of the younger players will have specific exercises to help them add muscle mass."

In addition to maintaining the physical and mental plan, a specific and proper diet of carbs and proteins has been encouraged by the first-year coach to ensure that their bodies gain the optimum recovery and they arrive fit for competition.

Recap: Playoffs conclude for Chivas USA Academy

U.S. Soccer Development Academy

It was yet another positive weekend for Chivas USA's U14 Team who took two consecutive victories last weekend. On Saturday afternoon, Mathew Huerta and Josue de la Torre each scored two goals to help lead the Red-and-White to a 5-1 win over the Central California Aztecs in a Chivas dominated match. Huerta scored his first goal of the game in the 14th minute and minutes later, Daniel Villegas scored his fourth goal of the season via penalty kick.

As the teams returned to the second half, Josue de la Torre took advantage of their rival's mistakes and scored two goals in four minutes. To close off the scoring in favor of the Red-and-White, Huerta scored his second of the day before the team from Bakersfield, Calif., notched their lone goal in the dying minutes of the match.

The following day, the young Goats hosted Pateadores, team ranked among the top in the country and winners of the previous Dallas Cup. Oscar Penate scored the only goal of the match in the 18th minute to give the Red-and-White the win.

"The boys put on another tremendous performance to continue as the only unbeaten team in the U14 division, defeating current National Champion Pateadores. The entire team's work rate defensively was the key to the victory. Even more impressive is that it was the first time all season that the Pateadores potent offense was shut out," U14 Head Coach Brian Kleiban said.

The U14 group will return to action as they visit the San Diego Surf U14s this upcoming Sunday, Dec. 1 at 2 p.m. (PT) at the San Diego Polo Club's Field 15.

Coast Soccer League

Over in the Coast Soccer League Playoffs, Chivas USA's U15 Team was close to earning a spot in the Championship match, but after a 3-2 loss to Golden State in the Semifinals, the Red-and-White were eliminated from League Cup contention.

Coming into Saturday's Quarterfinal match against Irvine Premier SC, the team was motivated after earning their second straight win the previous weekend. The side was able to maintain a positive ball possession, which allowed Erick Gallinar to score the first goal of the game in the 25th minute. Coming back into the second half, Cesar Becerra was able to pull through an individual play and put the Red-and-White up 2-0. Minutes later, Irvine Premier SC scored their lone goal of the match for the final 2-1, score that gave the Goats their spot in the Semifinals.

Later that day, the U15s continued with the same work plan and were able to control the first half of the game, but did not have a clear chance at goal. Early into the second half, Christopher Huerta scored his second goal of the season off a pass from Jose Ponce and put the Red-and-White up 1-0. However, less than a minute later, Golden State came back to score the equalizer in a goalkeeper error.

The Chivas USA U15 Team was able to react from the Golden State's goal and in the 60th minute, Huerta scored his second of the match off a corner kick. The group was able to pull off a great match, but two crucial mistakes by the keeper gave up the final 3-2 loss for the Goats, ending their participation.

Also participating in the CSL Playoffs, the Red-and-White's U13 Team had a historic run in the League Cup, playing one category up. On Saturday afternoon, the young Goats took a 4-0 victory over Empire SC Elite in the Quarterfinals. Misael Becerra, Alex Mendez, Owen Zaldivar and Ulysses Llanez each scored to give the team a spot in the Semifinals.

Later that day, the U13s defeated FC Golden State 5-1 in the CSL Semifinal match thanks to two goals from Ulysses Llanez and Alex Mendez, and one goal each by Misael Becerra and Mateo Godoy.

The team then played the Final Championship match against Fullerton Rangers White on Sunday morning. Chivas USA's three goals against their rival were not enough as they saw themselves fall 6-3 to Rangers.



Major League Soccer Stories from November 27, 2013


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