Villafaña Reflects on Seventh Season with the Club

November 20, 2013 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


As the player with the most years of experience with the club under his belt, Chivas USA midfielder Jorge Villafaña says his seventh season was indeed one where he experienced highs and lows.

The 24-year-old Anaheim, Calif. native looked to come into the 2013 campaign and impress the new coaching staff, but was soon slowed down by an ankle injury that limited his preparation during preseason camp.

The left-footed winger appeared in 14 games in 2012 and also started matches at left back when called upon, but was forced to start this season watching from the bench. By Week 4, however, in a road match against the Chicago Fire, Villafaña came on as a sub to start the second half and was able to display his trademark crosses from the left sideline while delivering an assist in the 4-1 rout.

From then, Villafaña went on to start in 15 of his next 19 matches, and momentarily took his place near the top of the League lead in assists, which helped the former academy product erase any memory of the injury.

"It's a great experience every time to return for another year to play with Chivas USA," Villafaña said. "I have a great fondness for the club. Every year we put forth the effort to try and do the most possible for the team."

Yet, his success was again interrupted. Villafaña suffered a left toe fracture toward the tail end of the season, which he acknowledged was the first time in his career in which he was hit with not one but two notable injuries that kept him sidelined for weeks.

Despite a rocky season, Villafaña remained positive and was always willing to lend support or advice to any of the newcomers to the League. The 2013 Rojiblancos edition was at times by far the youngest team in Major League Soccer, and as a result, struggled to secure a number of late leads that could have swung the team's fortunes and keep it near the middle of the pack in the highly competitive Western Conference.

"You always try and help out your teammates. We are all young here and have a lot to learn, but one has to contribute with what you know and also listen and learn from others as well.

"One always has goals for the future to always improve and reflect on what was done well and what was done badly. The goal is always to take the team to the top, to the playoffs."

Together with Villafaña, the Rojiblancos now have nearly a dozen players with four or more seasons of MLS experience under their belt, which the club will look to blend with the infusion of young talent heading into 2014.

Like his teammates, Villafaña says that the team could be bolstered with the addition of a bit more MLS experienced and tested players ahead of next season.

"It's important to have continuity, to have a set base for the team," Villafaña added. "It's a young team that began to get to know each other this season. It would be good to add more experience. I think experience never hurts anyone, especially if it can compliment itself with the youth so that next season can be a good one for Chivas USA."

U15s, with chemisty to the Final

On Saturday, Nov. 16, Chivas USA's U-15 team earned a spot in the Coast Soccer League's Quarterfinal Round after defeating 1-0 CYSASL Coachella with a Diego Escobar goal. Despite seemingly looking like they had an easy ride ahead, it wasn't so simple for the Red-and-White youngsters, who arrived into this tournament as the underdogs.

To everyone's surprise, the group led by Head Coach Miguel Ramos started the tournament from the Round of 32. After a game that featured intense and physical play, the young Goats were able to hold their ground by defeating Valley United Durand, 2-1, with goals by Josue Hernandez and Cesar Becerra.

Upon the conclusion of Saturday's match and already looking ahead to the Sweet 16 Round, the young team's coach was the first person to praise his players.

"The team at this point has done an excellent team work, there's more understanding, a stronger [sense of] unity, better communication, there's a better disposition within the guys," described Ramos. "That's exactly what has allowed us to earn the past two victories."

It is with games, experience and time that helps build a team's chemistry and just like with First Teams, to win a championship, you first need to have a strong sense of unity.

At the beginning of the 2013 season, the U-15 side was just starting their rebuild as a few members had either exited the team or graduated to an older age group.

Due to the arrival of new blood, the development coaches were forced to put a stronger emphasis in teaching the style of play sought by Chivas USA; a uniformed method to be played in unison from the young Academy boys all the way through the First Team.

"The important aspect I've seen from the beginning is that the boys are getting the soccer concept we are trying to implement from the First Team and that the guys want to develop," explained the coach. "It's been difficult but they have learned a lot. Now the state of mind is way better and above it all, the guys' attitude is very positive and good."

After a participation in the Coast Soccer League's regular season that left a lot to be desired in terms of results, the young Goats have learned from their mistakes, have grown as a group, and with that positive attitude are looking to find their way to the Championship match on Nov. 24.

With the tournament at stake this weekend, the U-15 side will face Irvine Premier in the Quarterfinals on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. (PT). If they win, the team will move on to play the Semifinals just a few hours later, at 3 p.m. (PT), at the San Bernardino Sports Complex.

For all the news related to Chivas USA Development Academy, follow us on Twitter at

@ChivasUSAYouth & @cdchivasusa .

Welcome Orlando City!

On Tuesday afternoon, Major League Soccer announced that starting in 2015, the League will now consist of 21 teams with the addition of Orlando City Soccer Club. The Florida side will be the second team to make its debut in 2015, as New York City FC was also introduced by MLS on May 21, 2013 .

Orlando City will begin playing in MLS at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium before heading into their own stadium, which will be inaugurated in the Summer of 2015. The team currently plays in the USL-Pro League, where in three years, it has already won two championships; the latest one being achieved this year on Sept. 7.

Chivas USA would like to welcome Orlando City Soccer Club to MLS! Discover more about the new team by clicking here and reading the official press release sent by MLS Communications.



Major League Soccer Stories from November 20, 2013


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