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Developing Professional Players a Goal for Chivas USA Academy

July 24, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


Chivas USA is known for having young players on their roster, giving a special spark to the team with fresh young players every season. Players like Jaime Frias, Caleb Calvert and Marco Delgado are proof that Chivas USA-s Youth Academy is developing players from the youth system all the way to the First Team.

Sacha van der Most, Director of Chivas USA Youth Academy, has been working with the Academy since day one of the history of the club, and that's why he knows when a player is called to train with the First Team, it is a success for the academy.

"For players it is a boost when they come in to play a game. They play with higher quality players and that raises their level as a player," Van der Most said. "When they come back to the youth team, they raise the level of the team as well."

In order to push the level of the club and most importantly the development of professional players, there is constant communication between the First Team and the youth teams so they can plan ahead together and therefore build stronger teams.

"We are always pushing players up to improve the player's development, and we look to cover the needs of our team. Success with our team is a byproduct of individual development. At other clubs in California the objective is to create players to go to college, but here we create players to become professionals," commented van der Most.

The Academy is structured to have a player grow from the U-13 all the way to the professional level. This path helps the players run up and down their teams and have more experience on the field.

"It is 100 percent up to the players to take advantage of the opportunities that they have when the run up to another team. The reason we started de U-23 team is because now we have a step closer to the First Team," added Van der Most.

Chivas USA U-23 will participate in the Semifinal round of the SoCal Premier League on Saturday, August 3 in San Luis Obispo. Despite having the rest of the Academy teams on summer break right now, the coaches and technical directors continue their hard work in the planning process for the upcoming season.

Torres, hunting the goal

After making his debut with Chivas USA scoring in his first match and ending the winless streak in the team's home match against Toronto FC last Wednesday, Erick Torres arrives with the Red-and-White with the motivation to be a key player in the attacking line.

The 20-year-old Torres has participated with the youth sides of the Mexican National Team, and once he made his debut in Mexico's First Division with Chivas Guadalajara in 2010, the young forward has scored 14 goals in Mexico. Now, with just one game in Major League Soccer and a goal scored, Torres begins writing his story in the US on a high note.

"For every forward, goals are a motivation. You get onto the field with the hopes to be able to score a goal. That's the motivation I have game after game; to be able to celebrate with my team and with the fans in the stands," Torres commented about his need for goals.

Being on the attack of every team is a tough task, and Torres has been able to find and look for the ball in a very particular way, the Guadalajara native explains his philosophy to be able to put the ball into the back of the rival's net.

"I have a quote engraved in my mind, forwards are lions hunting for their prey. We're always attentive inside the box to get the prey, which for us is the ball. With this, we have to be attentive in every aspect to hunt the ball and score the goal."

Now, Erick Torres wants to be a key player for Chivas USA, and in order to achieve that, he must follow those who have been and are model players in their respective teams.

"I watch videos of Ronaldo, the one from Real Madrid and Brazil. I've also seen Cardozo and I like the way they finish plays. They are cold blooded when scoring goals and my idea is to match minimally or greatly the way they would score against the goalkeeper."

One of Torres' personal philosophy about work and the way he has gotten to where he is today is the continuity and the fight to improve on a daily basis. Discipline and hard work are the things the young Goat puts to practice on a day-to-day basis.

"If you want to stand out or get to be a little better, you have to give a little extra. It's good to work, dedicate time to yourself, to your body because it's your work tool. It's important to be at 100% physically and mentally so that that can show on the field," Torres finalized.

Alvarez prepares for first meeting in Seattle

With 14 starts in 16 appearances, first-year Chivas USA midfielder Carlos Alvarez has emerged as one of the club's key offensive ingredients on the pitch. Despite being his rookie campaign, Alvarez has logged over 1,200 minutes and has established himself as a mainstay in the Red-and-White's starting 11.

Alvarez, a native of East Los Angeles and University of Connecticut product, has already competed at rough venues as Kansas City's Sporting Park and Real Salt Lake's Rio Tinto Stadium, which are some of Major League Soccer's most intense stadiums. Come Sunday the 22-year-old will get a taste of yet another of the League's best environments when the Rojiblancos travel to face Seattle Sounders FC at XBOX Pitch at CenturyLink Field in a Western Conference battle.

Fans in the Pacific Northwest will turn out to welcome Chivas for a crucial conference showdown, as the Goats look to come away with their sixth result in the last seven games. Alvarez says he is ready to handle his visit to this venue for the first time.

"I just prepare the way the coaching staff asks of us tactically," said Alvarez. "I'm excited to go up there and play in that environment and be with my teammates, who make it fun for me and just enjoy the game. I try to enjoy every moment because you never know when it can be your last time to enjoy such an environment.

"Number one, we just have to concentrate on the work at hand, that's the main thing. Mentally, I prepare myself by thinking of what I'm going to do with the ball in different situations. You need to shut everything out and just have fun with your teammates and compete on the pitch."

With half the season under his belt already, the attacker has shown that he is someone who puts the good of the team first and will no doubt look to contribute in any way needed to secure points on the road. As a central midfielder, Alvarez can push the ball forward in search of a score or look to distribute and set up his teammates. Likewise, he has proven himself to be a solid defender who can dispossess the opponent's offensive elements with his skill, toughness and relentless motor. The first-year Goat says that he won't let the surroundings take him out of his game plan.

"All I worry about is my soccer and my team. At the end of the day its 11-versus-11 and one ball in the sport we love to play. So it becomes second nature once you're out there," Alvarez concluded.



Major League Soccer Stories from July 24, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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