Chivas USA camp update: Cuesta out; Elliott in?

Chivas USA Coach Robin Fraser is taking a look at his former Galaxy teammate Simon Elliott, last seen playing (briefly) in his native New Zealand after being released in preseason last year by the San Jose Earthquakes.

He practiced with the team Sunday. Elliott, 36, the Galaxy MVP in 2000 (Fraser’s last season with the club) made more than 120 appearances with the Galaxy.

Elliott has looked like his pace has vanished the last few times I’ve seen him though.

Still, sounds a bit like Fraser is taking a leaf out of Bruce Arena’s book and surrounding himself with veteran, known quantities, doesn’t it?

Fraser also said Sunday that the club has released 21-year-old Colombian defender Yamith Cuesta, who played a marginal role in a bad defense last year.

“We decided to part ways with Yamith Cuesta,” Fraser said. “He was a wonderful young man. He worked so hard, but I just don’t think he was the right fit for what we were looking for.”

Also gone: supplemental draft pick Ernesto Carranza, a midfielder out of Sacramento State.

Fraser told me the club continues to scour the globe in search of some international help.

He expects needing the full six weeks left before the team’s first game to continue to shape the squad – and the starting XI opening day. Fraser said Sunday he’s still looking for quite a few starters.

I chatted with Alejandro Moreno and Jimmy Conrad after training and will have more from them a little later.

Tuesday’s column will take an in-depth look at how Chivas USA is taking shape.

Chivas USA plays a scrimmage 2 p.m. Monday at Home Depot Center and if Elliott plays he will see a lot of familiar faces. The opposition: the Earthquakes.

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