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Goats Finish Road Trip in Portland on Wednesday Evening

August 23, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


GOATS LOOK TO FINISH ROAD TRIP ON HIGH NOTE THIS WEDNESDAY IN PORTLAND VS THE TIMBERS: As the Red and White finally finish their current road trip and move on to the fifth and final consecutive road match as they return to the Pacific Northwest and visit the Portland Timbers and the un-friendly confines of Jeld Wen Field for a mid-week showdown this Wednesday, August 24. The match kicks off at 8:00 pm PT, and will broadcast on Prime Ticket and KWHY Channel 22 as well as W Radio 690 AM. For information on the game, please visit cdchivasusa.com. Fans can also track the game on cdchivasusa.com or on the team's Twitter feed, @cdchivasusa .

JIMMY CONRAD OFFICIALLY RETIRES AS A PROFESSIONAL PLAYER BUT NOT FROM SOCCER: The veteran defender for the Red and White, Jimmy Conrad, announced his official retirement as a professional soccer player during a press conference last Thursday August 18at the Home Depot Center, home of Chivas USA in Carson, California. "I spoke to people that are close to me, like my family, but mainly it was the doctors and coaches who helped me come to this conclusion. They informed me that it was probably in my best interest to retire, you know after six 'documented' concussions." expressed Conrad. "The doctors couldn't tell me what was going to happen if I suffered another one, what the long-term damage would be. I still have symptoms, I still have a headache that comes and goes. So, they basically said that this is probably what I should do (retire). I've had a good career, and a lot to be proud of so I think this is probably in my best interest to shut it down." The now former Goats Defender also spoke of his long term and immediate future plans as well as his involvement with Chivas USA Youth Academy, "I know we're working on restructuring our youth system, and I will be heavily involved with the development of the Chivas USA youth academy. We need to make sure we start having a foothold in this area, in our youth side. It's something I'm passionate about, and I think that's where we're going to get all of our future players." commented Jimmy. "Obviously, I'm going to explore all of my options so I can make an educated decision about what's next and what's best for my family. LA seems like as good of an area as any. I grew up here so it would be nice to stay. If it's with Chivas USA, all the better, and if it's not, then it'll probably be something in broadcasting or working with MLS or U.S. Soccer. I'll do whatever I can to use my experience to help better the next generation." In addition Jimmy thanked the fans, "And lastly, thanks to the all of the fans that supported the teams I played on and cheered for the scrawny kid from Temple City, CA, who made up in heart what he lacked in skill. I will always cherish the moments of running in front of you in small shorts and long socks with other grown men while trying to kick a ball in a certain direction." concluded the five time All-Star.

THE ROJIBLANCOS CONTINUE A FIRM PACE AND MANAGE ONE MORE POINT IN COLORADO: This past Saturday night the Goats would not be denied at least one point with the 2-2 tie at Dick's Sporting Goods Park which was nearly filled to capacity with 16,852 fans on a perfect evening for soccer in the Rockies. This result keeps the Red and White right in the hunt for the post season with a total of 31 points and a sixth place in the very tightly contested Western Conference. More importantly two of the Goats recent additions to their roster showed much of what they are and shinny glimpses of what they can become. The first score in the match landed in the 13th minute by Rapids' Forward Caleb Folan, assisted by Kimura and Mastroeni setting the match at 1-0. The first score for the Red and White and equalizer in the match would come by way of LaBrocca to Angel in the 36th minute. Juan Pablo Angel has only been with the club for 3 days and yet made it look easy and an apparent seamless transition and fit into Coach Fraser's line-up. This would be the score going into the locker rooms at the half. In the second half Colorado seemed poised to maintain possession of the ball for a better part of the half and broke the 1-1 tie with a goal by Jeff Larentowicz from a corner kick served up by Sanna Nyassi in the 69th minute. As the match progressed the Goats had several opportunities they just couldn't convert including several dangerous chances for Frenchman Laurent Courtois who was already proving to be a handful for Colorado's defense. Courtois would not be denied and would level the score at 2 goals a piece in the 86th minute.

CHIVAS USA ACQUIRED COLOMBIAN STRIKER JUAN PABLO ANGEL: The leading goal scorer in MLS over the past five years is now a Goat and wastes no time in making his presence felt as he scored his first goal last Saturday evening in Colorado as a Rojiblanco. The club announced last Wednesday August 17 that it acquired forward Juan Pablo Angel from the LA Galaxy via trade. Chivas sent a 3rd round natural 2012 Supplemental Draft pick to LA in exchange for Angel. "Juan Pablo is a great pick up for us because he knows how to score goals and has scored the most goals in the League (MLS) through the last five years. Outside of his experience and ability on the field, he's a classy person and I think that another experienced classy person in our locker-room is a positive," commented Chivas USA Head Coach Robin Fraser. "It is a win-win when you get a good player and a good person who fits into what we are trying to do." Angel joins the Rojiblancos after his stint with the LA Galaxy that began on January 19, 2011. During his tenure with the Galaxy, the forward participated in 22 matches, starting 17, scoring three goals and one assist. Angel has been named to the MLS All-Star team on three separate occasions and was a finalist for the MVP award in 2007. The experienced Colombian striker accumulated an average of more than one goal per two games played during his four year tenure with the New York Red Bulls (2007-2010) and holds the club's all-time goal scoring record. "I'm looking forward to my joining Chivas USA. I hope to help the team through the last games of the regular season and qualify for the playoffs, which is obviously our main objective," said newly acquired Chivas USA forward Juan Pablo Angel. "I hope the season is better for me compared to how it began. I now have the opportunity to help a team that has worked very hard to get where it is. Despite certain difficulties in the beginning of the year, this team has, little-by-little, found its best level of play. The coach has communicated his plan and the players understand it. I need to adapt very quickly and try to help the team earn a spot in the playoffs." The South-American forward began his career at the age of 18 in his native Colombia with Atlético Nacional (1994-1997), before migrating to Argentina (River Plate 1997-2001); winning a pair of Apertura (1997 and 1999) titles, as well as one Clausura title (2000). After his successful career with River Plate, Angel was acquired by the English Premier League's Aston Villa for =A39.5 million. He participated in 200 matches for Aston Villa and scored 60 goals including 44 in the Premier League action.

FRANCISCO "PANCHITO" MENDOZA TIES CHIVAS USA APPEARANCE RECORD: Mendoza has now played in 123 games for Chivas USA, tying Jonathan Bornstein's record and needing only one more game appearance to surpass and become the all time leader. "Panchito" Mendoza, the Mexican player with the most all-time Major League Soccer appearances, returned to Chivas USA this season after playing the past two years in Mexico. The fan favorite and Chivas USA original has now appeared in 12 matches this season, and passed Sacha Kljestan's 114 appearances earlier this year.

CHIVAS USA CREATES "A BETTER LIFE" SECTION FOR LOWER INCOME FAMILIES: Mexican actor Demian Bichir, honorary captain for Chivas USA, is inviting you to send us your story - "HOW HAVE YOU OBTAINED A BETTER LIFE BY COMING TO THE UNITED STATES - By submitting you'll have the opportunity to win a family four-pack for Chivas USA games and sit in the "A Better Life" special section at Home Depot Center. Demian Bichir, invites you to visit your favorite movie theater and watch "A Better Life" in which the actor plays the role of a gardener residing in East Los Angeles who travels across town to work in the homes of the wealthy. At the same time he is attempting to keep his son away from street gangs and immigration agents. Send us your story with a minimum of 200 words to the following email address: communications@cdchivasusa.com

CHIVAS USA ANNOUNCES UNIQUE PARTNERSHIP WITH PADRES CONTRA EL CANCER: Chivas USA announced last month an in-depth partnership with PADRES Contra El Cancer, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Latino families with children who suffer from cancer and blood disorders. The mission-driven relationship will support PADRES and include fundraising and awareness campaigns that will engage Chivas USA team members, the team's own non-profit Fundacion Chivas de Corazon USA, as well as link elements from Chivas USA's sister-team Club Deportivo Chivas de Guadalajara. Jimmy Conrad and Mariano Trujillo got things started by visiting a group of children undergoing cancer treatment at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. The players also taped public service announcements aimed at creating awareness about the need for more individuals to join the national bone marrow registry list. Over the course of this summer, Chivas USA will designate part of the proceeds from the ticket sales from a number of home matches to benefit PADRES, all of which will culminate with a unique night scheduled for September. To learn more about this partnership, visit: www.cdchivasusa.com/community/padres .

PEARCE PLAYS EVERY MINUTE: Defender Heath Pearce has played every minute so far this season, his first with Chivas USA. He has now started all twenty five games for the Red-and-White, playing a total of 2,250 minutes. Nick LaBrocca is the only other players to have started all twenty five games, but he has been substituted, leaving the 26-year old Pearce as the only Goat to play every possible minute thus far.



Major League Soccer Stories from August 23, 2011


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