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Kennedy & Villafaña, Ready for the Rapids

August 9, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


Throughout the week, Chivas USA have been working hard in every training session, focusing on one thing: this Sunday's match against the Colorado Rapids and getting out of that match with three points. The Red-and-White come to this game with the full intention of recovering from their last two results against the Rapids, having fallen at home and away in Colorado.

Even though the Rapids are visiting the StubHub Center on a seven-game unbeaten streak, Chivas USA midfielder Jorge Villafaña says that the team is ready for what might come.

"We're working and preparing for this game against Colorado. We know it's going to be a good game, but we have the mentality and the desire to improve and earn three points here at home and earn some respect," Villafaña said after training on Friday morning.

Chivas USA will not have it easy this Sunday, as the Colorado Rapids, currently in second place of the Western Conference standings, added two forwards this week, Uruguayan Vicente Sanchez and Panamanian Gabriel Torres. Both players could not see any minute this weekend as they are still pending receipt of their International Transfer Certificate and their P-1 visas.

Breaking down the Rapids attack won't be easy, but it's something that Chivas USA team captain and goalkeeper Dan Kennedy is very well aware of.

"They're in good form right now, so it's going to be a tough match. I think after last week, we felt that we could've been a little bit better in possession so we've focused a little bit on that and hopefully we'll dictate the game through possession," Kennedy told cdchivasusa.com.

Regardless of the team's recent results, the Red-and-White goalkeeper assures that they will not let their guard down. Heading into the first of three home games at the StubHub Center, Chivas USA want to start earning the points not only for the team, but also for their fans.

"We expect to win, we're preparing to win. It's nice to come to StubHub Center and have a few games here at home. It's important that we get the home stretch started off on the right foot," Kennedy finalized.

Back in action

The boys are back in action! Chivas USA's U13 and U16's will be taking part of Cal South's United Cup this Saturday and Sunday, August 10-11. The Red-and-White Academy will also be participating in the Copa Alianza this Sunday at the San Bernardino Sports Complex.

After a stellar participation in the 2013 Volkswagen Junior Masters Tournament in Kansas City, MO, Chivas USA's U13 Team will open United Cup action facing United FC B99 at 9:35 a.m. (PT) at St. Margaret's High School in San Juan Capistrano. Later that day, the young Goats will close action for the day facing Strikers FC Irvine at 4:50 p.m. On Sunday, the Red-and-White U13 team will close group action facing South Bay Force Elliott at 9:25 a.m. (PT) at Tesoro High School in Las Flores. If Chivas advance, the Quarterfinals will be disputed in Rancho Capistrano.

Also participating in the tournament, Chivas USA's U16 squad will face TVSA Academy on Saturday at 9:35 a.m. (PT) at Dana Hills High School. The team led by Coach Keith Costigan will then face Milan B96 later that day, also in Dana Point. The group will close action against United FC B96 at 8 a.m. (PT) on Sunday in SportsPark.

Heading east of the state, Chivas USA's U15 & U18 Team will be taking part of the Copa Alianza, facing teams with standout players of the tournament. Copa Alianza is a national tournament that helps professional teams find talent in U.S. territory. Chivas USA's own Julio Morales emerged from Copa Alianza, after which he went on to play for the youth ranks of Chivas USA's brother club Chivas Guadalajara.

For all the latest news and updates on Chivas USA's Youth Academy in this weekend's tournaments, make sure to follow us on Twitter: @ChivasUSAYouth & @cdchivasusa.

Training Report: Two days ahead of the Rapids

Two days before the match against the Colorado Rapids at the StubHub Center, Chivas USA hit Field 6 for their fourth training session of the week. The Red-and-White will face the Rapids this Sunday, August 11th at 8 p.m. (PT) in the first of three consecutive home games.

At exactly 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Strength and Conditioning Coach Armando Camacho led the team, with the exception of the goalkeepers, to a light jog around the field. In continuation to the warm-up exercises, the group held a series of sprints using only one-third of the field. Upon completing the exercise, Chivas USA continued on to a series of stretching exercises before splitting the team into three groups and working in an exercise most commonly known as 'torito'.

After a couple of minutes of working on short and long passes, the Red-and-White were ready to begin working on the tactical plan that Head Coach Jose Luis Real has prepared for Sunday's game. Chivas USA continued onto an inter-squad scrimmage for the rest of the hour and forty-five minute training session. At 10:15 a.m., Coach Real finished training, and while some players stretched, the back line worked on set pieces alongside Assistant Coach Othoniel Gonzalez.

Chivas USA will return to the StubHub Center's Field 6 this Saturday for their last training session ahead of their match-up against the Colorado Rapids. For all the latest news and updates on Chivas USA, follow us on Twitter: @cdchivasusa.

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