Rojiblancos Anxious to Compete and Contribute in 2013 Los Angeles Cup

Published on September 27, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


With the recent announcement that Chivas USA will be among the eight participating teams in the 2013 Los Angeles Cup set to take place on Oct. 9 and 12, the Red-and-White players were excited for the opportunity to compete against the unfamiliar and high-level of competition.

But beyond the chance to square off against clubs from Mexico's Primera Division as well as a national team in the hunt for qualifying to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, players were just as grateful to be a part of a soccer event that will serve to benefit the victims and affected regions in Mexico that were hit by Hurricanes Ingrid and Manuel. A portion of the ticket proceeds from the two-day event will go toward the hurricane relief efforts in partnership with Operation USA.

"At the end of the day we want to give back to people," said Chivas USA rookie midfielder Carlos Alvarez. "For example, some people are donating their hair this month in support of cancer patients or doing other things just to help as much as possible. So with all that is going on over there in Mexico after the hurricanes, being able to help the people is something unbelievable and something we should look forward to."

Red-and-White goalkeeper and captain Dan Kennedy echoed Alvarez's sentiments and call-to-duty mentality in the noble cause. As Kennedy mentioned, the club will pitch in the best way they know how - by playing soccer and making sure fans come out in support.

"It' s nice to be part of any type of relief fund to help somebody out," Kennedy said. "And it' s based around a game that we all love and play for a living and we'll get to see an opponent that we don't see often, so it should be a good challenge for a good cause."

The tournament will take place during a FIFA weekend, which will give the Rojiblancos an opportunity to maintain their game rhythm and fitness. The festivities kick off with a double-header on Oct. 9 at Citrus College located in the Los Angeles suburb of Glendora. The Goats will face Mexican side CD Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz in the second match of the night beginning at 9 p.m. (PT), which follows the meeting between the New Zealand Men's National Team and Mexico's Queretaro FC at 7 p.m. (PT).

Chivas' participation in the event will culminate in a soccer-filled quadruple-header on Oct. 12 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where the Rojiblancos will battle the All Whites from New Zealand, who are in preparations to battle for one of the World Cup's last spots coming out of the Oceania region. In addition to Chivas' First Team, the club's Under-23 Youth Academy team will also participate in the festivities, as they are set to battle LA Misioneros FC in a Coast Soccer League regular-season match as the first leg of the four-game event.

In addition, El Salvador's Alianza FC and a yet-to-be-named club will also compete in the fundraising tournament.

"It's going to get some games under our belt and continue to build chemistry and hopefully we come out on top," added Alvarez. "Obviously it opens up an opportunity to play against different teams, different leagues and different players. Hopefully things go good for us and we keep moving forward. We see every game like it's the most important game and if they're competitive it will raise our level of play and that should be our first focus and bring it."

Preview: U13s & U14/15s return to action

Another weekend full of soccer is ahead for Chivas USA's Youth Development Academy. With the exception of the U15/16 & U17/18 Teams, all Academy teams will be in action this week.

Starting off the weekend will be Chivas USA's U14/15 squad as they enter their second week in U.S. Soccer's Development Academy. This Saturday, the U14/15 squad will face Real So Cal at 6 p.m. (PT) at Sepulveda Sports Complex in Encino, Calif.

The team comes off a positive 5-2 win in their first match that was against the Santa Barbara Soccer Club where two braces by Chris Hernandez and Leo Cuteno helped pave the way to the first Red-and-White victory. Meanwhile, Chivas USA's opponent, Real So Cal, will be playing their fourth game of the season, and looking to record their third win. In their last match, Real So Cal defeated the Central California Aztecs 3-1.

Come Sunday, Chivas USA's U23 Team will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak as they visit Tustin Celtic at 8:30 a.m. (PT) at Meadowood Park in Irvine. The Red-and-White has held onto an 11-game unbeaten streak, counting last season's action. In their previous game, the U23 defeated Pomona United 2-1 in their first game of the Coast Soccer League season. With two games played in the season, Tustin Celtic have one win and a loss, falling 3-1 in their last match to So-Cal Real FC.

After concluding their participation in Canillas International Tournament in Madrid, Spain, Chivas USA's U13 Team will return to CSL action this Sunday. The young Goats will be looking to earn their second win in the second game of the season as they face FC Golden State Gold. In their first match of the season, the Red-and-White defeated Milan Red 4-1. Meanwhile, their next opponent has not yet won in the season, earning two draws and a loss. Sunday's match will take place at Pasadena High School with a 3:15 p.m. (PT) kick-off.

Closing action on Sunday will be Chivas USA's U15 squad, who earned a 2-2 draw in a friendly with Seleccion Alianza last week. Although the U15s started off the season on the wrong foot, the group has begun finding its form as they earned a win in their second match, and a draw in their third. As they host Carlsbad Elite this Sunday, the Red-and-White rival will look to retake their form since taking a 2-1 loss last weekend. So far in the season, the San Diego County-based team has earned two wins, one loss and a draw. Sunday's match will be played at University of California, Irvine's Field 1 at 4:20 p.m. (PT).

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

Chivas USA complete second consecutive full squad practice

Chivas USA held their second consecutive full squad practice ahead of Sunday's Western Conference clash against the San Jose Earthquakes in the series finale. The Rojiblancos took to the pitch and kicked off the morning session with a jog around the StubHub Center's Field 6 before completing a series of agility drills under the instructions of Strength and Conditioning Coach Armando Camacho for initial warm-ups. The squad was lined up along the end line and jogged in place while implementing quick feet.

Training then incorporated ball work into session with a short distribution drill that featured give-and-go sequences around obstacle poles. The group afterwards competed in a brief 10-on-10 possession drill in reduced space, with the objective of the defensive players in the center of the competition looking to create a turnover while the side in possession distributed the ball.

Training then culminated with an 11-on-11 tactical scrimmage that ran the full length of the pitch under the leadership of Head Coach Jose Luis Real. The competition emphasized ball possession and recovery while rotating for defensive support and lasted approximately 50 minutes.

The players were then dismissed after completing a series of stretches. They will return for their final session of the week on Saturday ahead of Sunday's third leg of the season series. The match is scheduled for 8 p.m. (PT) at the StubHub Center and will be televised in English on KDOC-TV and in Spanish on UniMas. Game action can also be also followed in Spanish in W Radio 690 AM.

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Major League Soccer Stories from September 27, 2013


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