Final 24 Named for Sueno MLS
February 25, 2007 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Sunday February 25, 2007) - Chivas USA and Major League Soccer announced today the names of the 24 talented young players who will move on to the final round of Sueño MLS: Chivas USA Wants You! Ranging in age from 16 to 21, these 24 players will face their biggest test to date this Saturday, March 3 at the Cathedral of American Soccer and home to Chivas USA, The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. From this group of aspiring players - who hail from Mexico, Peru, the United Kingdom and the United States - one lucky winner will be invited to a two-week tryout with Chivas USA. On March 25, one Sueño MLS winner will be officially crowned.
"We're very pleased by the youngsters who have managed to advance to the 'Final 24'," said Chivas USA director of soccer Dennis te Kloese. "Next week theses players will get their real test against the Chivas USA U-19's, in a world-class stadium like The Home Depot Center. We look forward to seeing which of them can respond to the challenge of this new environment."
Each of the "Final 24" first impressed scouts from both Chivas USA and Chivas Guadalajara at the open tryouts that were held in Bell Gardens, California on Presidents Day Weekend which drew 2,000 participants from throughout the United States and several foreign countries. On Saturday, February 24, the finalists then emerged from an elite group of 60 semifinalists.
Sueño MLS: Chivas USA Wants You! is a month-long quest to find the best undiscovered young soccer player to play for Chivas USA of Major League Soccer. The popular "República Deportiva," Univision's top-rated weekly sports show, which airs nationally every Sunday at 11 a.m. ET (12 noon PT), is following each round in a unique "reality show within a show" format, culminating on Sunday, March 25, with the formal announcement of the Sueño MLS winner, who will also receive adidas equipment and a special family ticket package to Chivas USA's home games at The Home Depot Center.
Next Saturday, players will arrive at The Home Depot Center at 8:00 a.m. PT for the "Final 24" tryouts, with scrimmages beginning at 9 a.m. (PT). The Home Depot Center is located at 18400 Avalon Boulevard, Carson, California 90746. Media and public are invited to attend.
Roster of Final 24 (in alphabetical order, with storylines):
Name Age Position Hometown NOTES
Omar Becerra 16 M San Diego, CA Dad was one step from becoming pro
Gilbert Contreras 17 M Downey, CA Mexican father, Honduran mother
Diego Delgadillo 17 F Bell Gardens, CA Walked 2 blocks from BG home
Jose Diaz 16 D Fontana, CA Los Osos HS ('09) student
Jorge Flores 17 F Anaheim, CA Missed work to try out, may get fired
Abraham Garcia 17 M Santa Barbara, CA San Marcos HS ('07) student
Aldo Iñiguez 20 GK Guadalajara, MEX Wife and son wait patiently in Mexico
Jaime Lara 17 M Torrance, CA Dad saw him play for first time Sat.
Alexis Lomeli 18 M Guadalupe, CA Tepic, Nayarit native missed work
Ebenezer Masade 19 M London, ENG Ex-Yeovil Town FC pays way to U.S.
Jonathan Medina 16 M Anaheim, CA Pacifica HS ('10) student
Stanley Mejia 19 F Tustin, CA Former Foothill HS ('05) student
Jose Mendoza 18 F San Pablo, CA Missed sister's wedding to try out
Martin Monroy 16 F Watsonville, CA One of 2 Pajaro Valley HS ('08) students
Christopher Montiel 17 F Santa Clara, CA Left Bay Area with family by car at 1 am
Diego Mosqueda 19 M Lamont, CA Friend drove him while parents worked
Ramses Munoz 17 M Tustin, CA Tustin HS ('07) student; 1 of 2 fm. Tustin
Andrew Robles 16 M Lynwood, CA Older bro is Chivas USA's Ãder Robles
Victor RodrÃguez 20 F Moorpark, CA Former Moorpark HS ('04) student
Alejandro Rosas 16 D Watsonville, CA One of 2 Pajaro Valley HS ('08) students
Carlos Ruiz 18 M Lawndale, CA Born in Perú; name like 'Pescado' Ruiz
Miguel Sanchez 19 M Inglewood, CA Former Inglewood HS ('06) student
Abraham Solis 21 GK Las Vegas, NV Car broke down, friends brought tools
Diego Soto 21 M King City, CA Former King City HS ('03) standout
The format for the Sueño MLS Final 24 will be the following:
FORMAT (Saturday, March 3, 2007 - The Home Depot Center, Carson, California - All times PT):
8:00 a.m. Players arrive and check in
8:30 a.m. Players split into Team A and Team B; Warm-up (30 min.)
9:00 a.m. Team A vs. Chivas USA U-19's (45 min.)
10:00 a.m. Team B vs. Chivas USA U-19's (45 min.)
11:00 a.m. Team A vs. Team B (45 min.)
SUNDAY: Announcement of winner of two-week trial with Chivas USA
SUEÃO MLS KEY DATES:
February 16 - 19 Open Tryouts (max 2,000 players)
February 24 Training for 60 semifinalists
March 3 Training for "The Final 24"
March 5 - 25 Two-week trial with Chivas USA
March 25 Announcement of Sueño MLS Winner
Major League Soccer Stories from February 25, 2007
- Final 24 Named for Sueno MLS - MLS
- Fresno Fuego falls to Chivas USA in preseason exhibition - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
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.
