CD Guadalajara are often called Southern California’s third biggest sports team (behind the Lakers and Dodgers) and, of course, there’s the little matter of the club having a local offshoot in Chivas USA.

So no doubt fans of the real Chivas are mortified by the display so far this season of the famed club, which seems to keep digging itself a deeper and deeper hole.

Here’s more from Associated Press reporter Carlo Rodriguez:

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Chivas hasn’t won in 13 matches, and it’s unlikely to get any better soon for one of Mexico’s most famous football brands.

The Guadalajara club was humiliated 3-0 by Velez Sarsfield of Argentina on Wednesday in the Copa Libertadores, meaning Chivas has failed to win a match in four months and forcing new coach Ignacio Ambriz to simply say that “faith is needed.”

Chivas sporting director Rafael Ortega says new players may have to be signed in the offseason, a change of course for a club that has tried for several seasons to win with young, unproven talent.

“The team is down from what is expected, but I still have faith,” said Ambriz, who replaced Fernando Quirarte several weeks ago. “Although they are young players, they know what it means to wear the Chivas shirt and I have faith we are going to move forward.”

It will not be easy for the most successful club in Mexico football history.

In the Clausura tournament — the second half of Mexico’s split season — Chivas has only two points from seven matches. Ten league games remain and they all look difficult.

Chivas must play Santos and defending champion Tigres, which share the lead this season. There is also a showdown with archrival America and a Guadalajara derby against Atlas.

“Our finishing has not been good,” Ambriz said. “We have created some chances but we have not followed through in attack. We can’t do anything but keep working.”

Chivas owner Jorge Vergara and wife Angelica Fuentes, who serves as executive president of the team, have been criticized for failing to spend money on talented players. Vergara owns the Omnilife company, which sells health supplements throughout the Americas and in Spain.

A large void was left when Javier Hernandez moved to Manchester United
almost two years ago.

Ortega, the sporting director, says that problem will be addressed. “There will have to be a few changes made,” Ortega said. “One could say it’s a necessity.”