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Fondy Awaits Match against Familiar Foe

September 25, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


As a product of UC Santa Cruz, recently signed Chivas USA forward Matthew Fondy says that coming out of the college ranks, he always considered the San Jose Earthquakes as a possible destination when trying to break into Major League Soccer.

A native of Foster City in Northern California, Fondy concluded a stellar college career and nearly got the opportunity to sign with the club this off-season. But by the time March came around, Fondy was not extended a contract offer. Six months later, the 24-year-old striker got his MLS break with the Rojiblancos, and this Sunday at the StubHub Center, he will look for the opportunity to get on the pitch and compete against a very familiar opponent.

After completing the 2012 season with USL-Pro side the LA Blues, Fondy was invited into San Jose's camp while the First Team was on their way to capturing the Supporters' Shield. Fondy appeared in reserve matches and trained with the Quakes' First Team and was part of the team that hosted Mexican side San Luis FC at Buck Shaw Stadium, playing 25 minutes in the 1-0 victory.

But as Fondy says, a contract offer did not come out of it, and he joined the Blues for a second season, where he tallied 10 goals in as many games along with a pair of assists. In late August, the 6-foot-1 forward signed with Chivas USA and made his MLS debut as a sub off Head Coach Jose Luis Real's bench at Seattle on Sept. 4.

Since then he has appeared in two matches with the First Team and played in a reserves match. Fondy has not yet tallied his first MLS goal, but if the NoCal product is among the 18 selected to suit up against Chivas' in-state rival, he will surely look to deliver a score against the club that passed on signing him.

"It was very cool," Fondy said about his time with San Jose while the club was in the hunt for the Supporters' Shield at the end of the 2012 regular-season. "Morale was high and you could tell the chemistry on that team was something very cool. It's very interesting that they aren't doing as well this year, which makes it exciting to play them on Sunday. I know all the players. I know their weaknesses, their strengths and I hope I can use that against them if I get on the field."

Fondy credits his brief stint the San Jose's camp as a confidence booster in proving to himself that he in fact has the ability to compete at this level. Once it came down to taking the pitch, he says, the wow factor went away when it was time to compete.

"I think there's always that sense that these guys are professionals and you look at them as something huge. Then you play with them and you realize that they're just like you and the team's you have been on and that gives you a sense of confidence, so when you play against them you just know what to do."

When it was mentioned to Fondy about what better suited opponent to tally his first goal against, the striker smiled and said he was definitely looking forward to the matchup.

Arellano joins U.S. U-17 Team

Aside from developing young players for the First Team, Chivas USA's Youth Development Academy strives to have their players represent the club at the international level. Throughout the history of the Academy, the Red-and-White has provided numerous players to international squads and tournaments. One of the most recent and regulars with the United States Youth National Teams is defender Hugo Arellano.

On Tuesday, Arellano received yet another call-up to the Youth National Team, this time with the U-17 squad. The team led by Head Coach Richie Williams will be taking part in the 2013 ASG Cup in Alicante, Spain that will run from Monday, Sept. 30 to Friday, Oct. 4. The tournament will serve as the first of the current cycle of players that will prepare for their participation in the 2015 CONCACAF Championship.

The Stars-and-Stripes will take off to Spain on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and will hold four days of training before opening up action in the tournament by facing Real Madrid Academy on Friday. The group will follow up with their second match on Wednesday, Oct. 2 and will conclude their participation in the tournament facing Rayo Vallecano Academy on Friday, Oct. 4 before returning to the U.S. the following Sunday.

Arellano, 15, most recently joined the U.S. U-15 National Team in their participation in the Copa Mexico de Naciones, where the young squad reached the semifinal round. This will be the first time that Arellano will play at a higher age group.

The Long Beach, Calif. native joined Chivas USA's Youth Development Academy in 2012, helping last year's squad finish in first place of the Southwest Division. Still a member of the U-16 team, Arellano will miss his team's upcoming match against Real Salt Lake AZ, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 5 at 12 p.m. (PT) at Bell Gardens Sports Complex.

Chivas USA welcome season seat holders to training session

Chivas USA held a split squad session Wednesday morning at the StubHub Center's Track and Field Stadium to continue preparations for their Week 31 matchup against in-state rival the San Jose Earthquakes this Sunday at home. The contest will mark the third leg in the season series, where the Goats will look to extend their unbeaten run to seven out of the last eight matches in Carson.

Players who competed in Tuesday's Reserve League match reported to training for a brief regeneration session. Their recovery work consisted of jogging and a series of stretches before being dismissed for the day.

Meanwhile, members of the First Team kicked off their second-consecutive practice of the work week under the instructions of Strength and Conditioning Coach Armando Camacho. The squad completed stretches before going through light back-and-forth sprints. With the initial distance measuring at approximately 15 yards, the sprints then increased in distance for added conditioning.

The group then incorporated ball work into their session with individual dribbling before culminating the day with a five-on-five possession and recover drill under the guidance of Head Coach Jose Luis Real. Afterwards, the First-Teamers concluded their work with a cool down session followed by supplementary stretches.

Wednesday's practice was highlighted by the second season seat holder event in as many weeks. The event once again gave fans of the Red-and-White the opportunity to watch Chivas train up close and afterwards take pictures and collect autographs of the players. With two home games remaining, players mentioned just how grateful the club has been for their unwavering support despite missing the playoffs.

"We have some great fans that come to every game," said Steven Purdy. "We've kind of had our troubles this year but they have always been there to support us, so it's great to have an interaction with the fans and our team. As players we feel the losses, but we're always putting our heart into it, so it's always good for fans to come out and appreciate the hard work that we put it."

Fellow first-year Goat Julio Morales echoed Purdy's appreciation to the loyal fan base, saying "It's a big joy that they come to support us," said the forward. "Above all we're here so they can enjoy themselves watching us. We feel confident as a club that the fans come out and support us in the good times and the bad, which we appreciate."

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