United for a Good Cause

September 26, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


He's just nine years old, but Santiago understands the seriousness of cancer. And that's why despite being a strong and healthy kid, he has joined forces with Chivas USA in the club's efforts to raise funds for St. Baldrick's Foundation, a leading organization in issuing grants for childhood cancer research.

The idea to join the cause emerged after his parents told him about the organization and the head shaving event. His dad and Chivas USA's starting midfielder, Edgar "Chore" Mejia, says that he's very happy with the initiative that Santiago has taken towards this great cause.

"First of all, he's a great kid that's always looking for a way to help. When we spoke to him, he didn't think twice about shaving his head. My wife and I were very happy and proud that he'll be losing his hair for a great cause," Mejia commented.

This Saturday, Sept. 29, Santiago and eight of Chivas USA players will be shaving their head in solidarity with kids with cancer in a unique event at Haven Gastropub in Pasadena. In comparison to his son and teammates, the simple idea of shaving his head makes "Chore," as he is best known, laugh.

"To be honest I don't shave my head because I have big ears and it takes longer for my hair to grow out," the midfielder said laughing. "But the idea just grew on [Santiago] and I'm very proud of him now that I'm going to see him bald, we're not going to spend so much on gel. He's a good example for us and for other kids and people that we could help such a good cause."

Santiago will steal the spotlight in Saturday's event since he'll be the youngest Chivas USA representative shaving his head. The true challenge will come next Monday when Santiago will have to go back to school and his new look will have to face his friends and classmates.

"Only my best friends know and they didn't think I would shave my head," Santiago commented. "When they see me, they'll say it was true."

Santiago and "Chore" will continue raising funds to benefit St. Baldrick's along with Team Avila. You can send your donation to Santiago by clicking here .

The search continues for Southern California talent

In an effort to find the best Southern California talent, Chivas USA's Youth Development Academy holds regular tryouts at the Bell Gardens Sports Complex. Just last Monday, the club held an invite-only tryout where club scouts and a few coaches were present to observe participating players.

Scheduled to arrive half an hour prior to the start of the tryout, players from categories 1996-2001 began arriving to the Academy's training facility an hour ahead. Anxiously waiting for their chance to display their talent, Chivas USA's Youth Development Director of Scouting and First-Team Assistant Coach Othoniel Gonzalez, along with his staff, already have in mind certain characteristics that they want to see in players on the field.

"The main thing is that they're technically sound, that they can apply the principles that we're trying to put forth in the tactics," Gonzalez told cdchivasusa.com. "Then comes the tactical side, do they have a sense of how to read the game and decision-making. At that point, we can bring them in and try to improve them with quality work and try to align the Academy with the First Team and apply the same principles that they're applying."

Even though the Coast Soccer League and U.S Soccer Developmental Academy seasons underway, the talent search continues for Gonzalez and his team of scouts as they look to improve and fortify each youth team.

"I think the most important thing in this phase of the year, when we just started the Youth Developmental Academy season, is to evaluate the players we do have, to see them in a few competitions, in a few training centers now that we have preseason over; evaluate the positions that we still need to either replace players if they're not at the level of the existing players or just to strengthen the squad with more in-depth players," Gonzalez said.

If you or someone you know would like to be enrolled in the mailing list for upcoming tryouts for the Chivas USA Youth Developmental Academy, send an email to: academy@chivasusaacademy.com.

Chivas USA hold full squad session

Chivas USA returned to full squad practice on Thursday morning after members of the reserves group rejoined the First Team in preparation for Sunday's Week 31 matchup against in-state rival the San Jose Earthquakes. The full squad reported to training at 9:30 a.m. at the StubHub Center's Field 6 and kicked off the session with a jog around the pitch before continuing their warm-up session under the guidance of Strength and Conditioning Coach Armando Camacho. The group then completed a series of plyometric circuit for added agility.

Afterwards the players paired up to incorporate ball work into their training by distributing short passes to one another. The morning then culminated with an 11-on-11 tactical scrimmage under the instructions of Head Coach Jose Luis Real for approximately an hour in reduced space and with the pitch segmented into three parts.

While most of the squad completed their work with a cool-down session and supplementary stretches, a number of attacking players remained after to work on crosses from both sidelines with a striker in the box to finish off the entry. The Rojiblancos will return to Field 6 on Friday to continue full squad training ahead of Sunday's series finale, which will be televised in English on KDOC and in Spanish on UniMas. Game action can also be followed in Spanish on W Radio 690 AM beginning at 8 p.m. (PT).



Major League Soccer Stories from September 26, 2013


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