Former Tecos striker Ochoa poised to join MLS

Sammy Ochoa, the former U.S. Under-20 forward, is set to return from Mexico to the U.S. – and could join Chivas USA, 100 Percent Soccer has learned.

Chivas USA remain atop the MLS allocation order and the 24-year-old who is from the Los Angeles area and living in Corona would seem the type of young Latino player that should form the backbone of the club.

“Ochoa will be signing with MLS tomorrow and will be assigned a team on Friday,” said a source close to the player. “We are about 90% there, Sammy is putting pen to paper today and we are sending all documents to MLS.”

Ochoa made more than 20 appearances for Estudiantes Tecos since signing for the club in 2006, but has never quite made the breakthrough to become an established member of the first team.

Money conscious Chivas USA has made developing youngsters from Southern California a club priority and is revamping its youth academy.

Pairing a promising 6-0 prospect with a veteran and mentor like Juan Pablo Angel would seem a logical move for the club.

Ochoa trained with the Seattle Sounders earlier thissummer; he previously played for Seattle Coach Sigi Schmid on the U.S. U-20 team.

He is the younger brother of Jesus Ochoa, 29, who is currently with the LA Blues of USL Pro and was previously with the Galaxy and Chivas USA.

Updated:

It should be noted, however, that while the allocation process is for USMNT “pool players,” it’s unclear whether that term applies to the former U.S. youth international.

MLS often attempts to take the preferences of teams and players into account when assigning players to clubs.

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About Nick Green

South Bay-based Los Angeles News Group soccer columnist and blogger Nick Green writes at the 100 Percent Soccer blog at www.insidesocal.com/soccer and craft beer at the Beer Goggles blog at www.insidesocal.com/beer. Cheers!