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World Cup is 'In Your Blood' this summer with Chivas USA

June 7, 2006 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club Deportivo Chivas USA News Release


CARSON, Calif. (Wednesday, June 7, 2006) - With the 2006 FIFA World Cup kicking off this Friday, June 9, Major League Soccer club Chivas USA is getting ready for a summer of excitement, as it continues its successful second campaign in MLS, while cheering on Chivas USA internationals Claudio Suárez (Mexico) and John O'Brien (United States) as they represent their national teams at the world's greatest sporting event. On the occasion, Chivas USA has arranged a series of special Southland events in celebration of the World Cup, from viewing parties, to bobblehead giveaways, to exclusive coverage from Germany for Chivas USA fans.

Chivas USA will cheer on its two World Cup internationals, defender Claudio Suárez and midfielder John O'Brien, at a series of special World Cup viewing parties to be held at the ESPN Zone in Anaheim, the official World Cup home of Chivas USA, as well as the National Sports Grill in Torrance. At the parties - which will kick off in Anaheim this Sunday, June 11 at 8:30 a.m. PT, with Mexico's opening match versus Iran - Chivas USA fans can gather together to sport their colors and proudly support their players and countries in the World Cup. See below for a full list of dates, matches and locations.

In addition, Claudio Suárez and three other Mexican World Cup veterans will be honored this summer with Chivas USA's limited-edition 'Chivas World Cup Veterans' bobblehead series. At four Chivas USA home matches in June and July, fans will receive a free miniature replica (while supplies last), of four current Chivas USA and Chivas Guadalajara players who have represented Mexico on the world's greatest stage: Chivas USA forward Juan Francisco Palencia, Chivas USA midfielder Ramón Ramírez, Chivas de Guadalajara goalkeeper Oswaldo Sánchez and Chivas USA defender Claudio Suárez. A full calendar is below.

Between Suárez, O'Brien, Palencia and Ramírez - plus Chivas USA defender Carlos Llamosa and Chivas USA Assistant Coach Preki, who represented the United States national team at the 2002 and 1998 World Cups, respectively - Chivas USA's team and coaching staff boast an impressive combined playing experience of eleven World Cups, including this year's tournament in Germany. A full list of Chivas USA's six World Cup Veterans is below.

Finally, Chivas USA Communications' own Rigo Cervantez will be providing exclusive updates from Germany for Chivas USA fans via the club's official website, www.cdchivasusa.com. Cervantez, a celebrated journalist who has covered a half-dozen World Cups, will be sending dispatches from the national team camps of Mexico and the United States, while providing Chivas USA fans with the latest on Claudio Suárez and John O'Brien, as well as the colorful atmosphere surrounding this year's tournament.

CHIVAS USA FIFA WORLD CUP VIEWING PARTIES

Day Date Time (PT) Match Location

Sunday June 11 8:30 a.m. Mexico vs. Iran ESPN Zone Anaheim

Monday June 12 8:30 a.m. USA vs. Czech Republic National Sports Grill (Torrance)

Friday June 16 11:30 a.m. Mexico vs. Angola ESPN Zone Anaheim

Saturday June 17 11:30 a.m. USA vs. Italy ESPN Zone Anaheim

Wednesday June 21 6:30 a.m. Mexico vs. Portugal ESPN Zone Anaheim

Thursday June 22 6:30 a.m. USA vs. Ghana ESPN Zone Anaheim

Venues:

ESPN Zone Anaheim

1545 Disneyland Dr. Anaheim, CA 92802 Phone: 714-300-3776 Fax: 714-300-3760

National Sports Grill

3210 West Sepulveda Blvd.

Torrance, CA 90505,

P: (310) 534-5700

F: (310) 534-5737

CHIVAS WORLD CUP VETERANS BOBBLEHEAD SERIES

Bobblehead Day Date Opponent Time (PT)

Paco Palencia Saturday June 3 Colorado Rapids 7:00 p.m.

Ramón Ramírez Sunday June 18 Columbus Crew 7:00 p.m.

Oswaldo Sánchez Wednesday June 28 Houston Dynamo 7:30 p.m.

Claudio Suárez Saturday July 1 FC Dallas 7:00 p.m.

COMPLETE LIST OF CHIVAS USA WORLD CUP VETERANS (6)

Name Current Position World Cups

Claudio Suárez Defender 3 (1994, 1998, 2006)

John O'Brien Midfielder 2 (2002, 2006)

Paco Palencia Forward 2 (1998, 2002)

Ramón Ramírez Midfielder 2 (1994, 1998)

Carlos Llamosa Defender 1 (2002)

Preki Assistant Coach 1 (1998)

COMBINED WORLD CUP EXPERIENCE: 11 World Cups

Chivas USA, Major League Soccer's Mexican-owned, Los Angeles-based franchise, is currently playing its second campaign in MLS. Tickets, starting at just $10 per game, are available by calling 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or online via www.cdchivasusa.com.

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