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Melia Returns with Official Game

September 16, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


It had been over four months since the last time goalkeeper Tim Melia had even suited up as part of Chivas USA's 18 or logged minutes in goal during live competition for the Red-and-White. After suffering a back injury that required the 27-year-old to have surgery and remain inactive on the pitch since May, the fourth-year keeper returned to action Sunday morning against the Portland Timbers in Reserve League play, helping the Goats to a 4-1 rout while going the full 90 minutes.

"It feels so good again," said Melia. "This is probably the first time in a year that I could be involved in a game and not have pain. So it's only going to get better from here. The guys did an excellent job [Sunday], everyone worked extremely hard and we got out of here with a result, which is the important thing.

"I've been working over four months now since the surgery. I made sure I was fit enough before I said I was ready to go in. I went and spoke with the coaches and said I think I'm ready to get some minutes in and they agreed. I wouldn't have put myself in a situation even in a reserve game unless I knew I could perform for the team."

The road back has been a steady and work-filled process for the New York native, who joined the Rojiblancos in 2012 after two seasons with Real Salt Lake. But above all, the recovery has taken both patients and trust.

The net minder came into the season looking to continue building on the work he had accomplished last year for the Goats, but those plans were put on hold in wake of the injury, which he mentioned was the first time he had to go under knife. Melia emerged as the club's solid backup behind captain Dan Kennedy and logged the majority of minutes in goal with the Reserves and went on to be a key part of Chivas' run to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Melia also stepped in for an injured Kennedy in the final two games of the 2012 season, making his first career start and home and on the road. Melia earned his first result in the season finale at FC Dallas while helping the Red-and-White close out the year with a 2-2 tie.

Melia says the next goal in the process is reclaiming his place with the First Team and preparing himself to step in once again should the opportunity present itself.

"They needed to trust me and let me tell them when I was ready to go. They did an excellent job helping me with recovery and hopefully it just progresses from here. I was a little nervous at first, but once you get in the game you forget about it and you just do what works," he concluded.

And the keeper will look to continue working and making himself noticed by new Head Coach Jose Luis Real and Goalkeeper Coach Claine Plummer to be in contention for selection in Chivas USA's next match, which comes on the road this Saturday against Eastern Conference side the Houston Dynamo. The match kicks off at 5:30 p.m. (PT) at BBVA Compass Stadium and will be televised in English on KDOV -TV and in Spanish on MundoFOX 22. The inter-conference clash can also be heard in Spanish on W Radio 690 AM.

Meet Carlo Chueca

When someone talks about Chivas USA and the changes that have taken place during the last 10 games, one can't avoid saying that all of them have been possible thanks to Head Coach José Luis Real and his coaching staff, who have guided the Red-and-White to earn better results on the field. Part of these changes have also been possible because of the arrivals of players such as Carlos Bocanegra, Erick Torres, Matthew Fondy, Bryan de la Fuente, and midfielder Carlo Chueca.

As a member of the Red-and-White's Developmental Academy, the 20-year-old ventured to Belgium in 2009 to join R.S.C. Anderlecht where he played with the Reserves before moving on to sign with Mons where he spent the last two seasons playing in the Reserves League.

"I was in Belgium for four years and I learned a lot from the style of play over there, which is rough, it's very physical and that's where I developed more my defensive style of play, now I am very happy to be back, like I've said, I feel just at home," Chueca said about his return to Chivas USA. "I already know a few of the players that I used to play with before and it feels good to be back here."

As he returned to Chivas USA, the left-footed attacker made his debut at the StubHub Center on Sunday, Sept. 8 against D.C. United entering at the 90th minute of the match. It was in the following game against Portland Timbers that Jose Luis Real gave him the opportunity to play more minutes, entering at the 77th minute of the 1-1 draw.

"[Coach Jose Luis Real] welcomed me very well, not just him but the staff and everyone else. They gave me the confidence so that I can show my style of play," said Chueca.

Chueca shared the field with Bryan de la Fuente and Jaime FrÃ-as during his first years with Chivas USA Academy, but the players drifted apart by going to other clubs. Several years later, soccer and Chivas USA brought the group back together.

"It's something nice, you never know where you are going to be, and returning with my teammates is something good and unexpected, they have welcomed me just as if I have never left, and this helps me to adapt faster to the team," said Chueca.

Now with five more games to finish the Major League Soccer Regular Season, Chueca looks at his abilities as something that can help the team deliver good results. Don-t miss the next Chivas USA match against Houston Dynamo, next Saturday, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m. (PT), as the game will be broadcast live on KDOC-TV (English) and on MundoFox22 (Spanish).

Villafaña shines in return to action

Chivas USA midfielder Jorge Villafaña shined in his return to action after being able to score two goals in Major League Soccer's Reserves League match against the Portland Timbers. Villafaña brace helped the team defeat its Western Conference opponent with a 4-1 final score on Sunday afternoon at the StubHub Center.

It took Villafaña a little over a month to return to action, since suffering a fracture on his left fifth toe during a training session; injury that has kept him sidelined from all action during that time. Little-by-little, the Red-and-White player from Anaheim, Calif., re-joined the team's activity and finally on Sunday, he was able to take the field, coming in as a sub in the 66th minute.

READ: Chivas USA Reserves rout Portland Timbers 4-1 at home.

"I felt good, a little tired because I still need to work on my conditioning, but on the soccer side, I felt good and thank God I was able to score two goals," Villafaña told cdchivasusa.com after the game.

But the party and the celebrations will continue onto Monday, since on September 16, Villafaña will turn 24. His two goals in Reserves League action are just a part of his celebrations.

"Come Monday, I'll celebrate; I'm getting older and older every day," Villafaña joked. "I think I'm very happy; it's been a month that I was not able to participate at all and I come back and I get two goals. I feel very happy and now to rest and celebrate."

Fortunately for Jorge Villafaña, Chivas USA will have the day off on Monday, but the celebrations with his teammates will surely come on Tuesday when the Red-and-White return to the StubHub Center to begin preparing for their next match. For all the latest news and updates on the club, follow us on Twitter: @cdchivasusa.

Recap: Points for all Development Academy teams

It was a positive weekend for Chivas USA's Youth Development Academy after finishing off unbeaten in all action. The Red-and-White U15 Team earned their first victory in the Coast Soccer League and the U15/16 & U17/18 team finished off unbeaten facing the Youth squads of Xoloitzcuintles de Tijuana.

The following is a recap of last weekend's action (Sept. 14-15):

In their second match of the season, Chivas USA's U15 Team was able to earn their first victory of the season defeating Valley United Dema 2-0. The young squad started off with more confidence and better communication compared to previous matches this season.

The first goal came in the ninth minute of the match by Diego Escobar, who received a precise pass by Christian Gutierrez. Coming back into the second half, the referee issued a penalty kick in favor of Valley United, but the Red-and-White keeper Alan Carrillo kept the ball from entering the goal and the rival out of the scoreboard. In the 55th minute, Escobar was able to score again in favor of Chivas USA in a tactical play, and was once again assisted by Gutierrez. The Red-and-White would have more scoring opportunities, but sealed their first victory of the season with a final 2-0 win.

The following day, Chivas USA U15 Head Coach Miguel Ramos used the same 4-5-1 formation that gave the group their first victory, but this time against PCSC B97 Red at the University of California, Irvine's Field 1. In their second match of the weekend, Chivas USA earned a 2-2 draw, going up to the sixth spot in the general standings of the Coast Soccer League.

The first goal of the match came in the 15th minute off a tactical play that the group had worked on with Coach Ramos during the week's training. Christian Gutierrez sent a ball into the far post and Gerardo Lopez headed the ball in to score the first of the match. The Red-and-White continued pressuring and in the 31st minute, Christian Gutierrez scored a great goal in a volley from outside the box. But right before the end of the first half, PCSC got closer to the scoreboard after a miscommunication between players.

The team wouldn't give up and sought the goal that would extend the goal differential, but were unable to finish the plays. In the last minutes of the match, PCSC took advantage of a bad pass by the Red-and-White so notch the final equalizing goal.

Chivas USA's U15 will have this weekend off, but will return to action next Sunday, Sept. 29 to face Carlsbad Elite B97 on UC Irvine's Field 1 at 4:20 p.m. (PT).

U15/16 & U17/18 unbeaten against Xolos

As part of their pre-season preparations ahead of the start of U.S. Soccer's Development Academy (USSDA), the Red-and-White U15/16 and U17/18 teams faced the Youth Teams of Mexican side Xoloitzcuintles de Tijuana.

Kicking off action at the StubHub Center last Saturday, the U16/16 team played Xolos to a scoreless draw. The young Goats started off dominating the match, having various scoring opportunities, but were unable to finish off the plays. The hard fought match continued on, but neither squad was able to find the game-winning goal.

After the first match, the Red-and-White U17/18 earned a 2-1 victory over Xolos' U20 Team. Anthony Rodriguez opened the scoreboard in the eighth minute of the match in favor of Chivas USA off a corner kick. Five minutes later, Xolos found the equalizer after a loose ball inside the six-yard box. The teams would go into halftime with a draw, but in the 76th minute, Adrian Moreno was able to seal the scoreboard in favor of Chivas USA.

Both squads will travel to the Northwest part of the country to face the youth teams of the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders this Saturday and Sunday, respectively, in the first games of the USSDA season.

For all the news on Chivas USA's Youth Development Academy, follow us on Twitter: @ChivasUSAYouth & @cdchivasusa

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