Recently in Chivas USA Category

Briefly:

*In praise of Galaxy GM and Coach Bruce Arena.

*For Real Salt Lake MLS Cup equals redemption.

* Former Chivas USA Coach Preki was officially unveiled as Toronto's new coach today. Wonder how much longer Amado Guevara will be around?

*Want to party like it's 1989? Former UCLA and Galaxy defender Paul Caligiuri will be honored tonight at Original Mike's in Orange County on the 20th anniversary of the "shot heard 'round the world." The event begins at 7 p.m.

*MLS has set the expansion draft for the new Philadelphia Union for Wednesday afternoon. From the MLS press release:

Philadelphia will select the core of their inaugural squad in a 10-round draft next Wednesday. Teams can participate in a half-day trade window on Monday until Noon ET. All 15 MLS teams are required to submit their lists of protected players to the League by 3 p.m. ET on Monday, Nov. 23. ... Philadelphia Union may not claim more than one player from any given team in MLS - five teams will not have a player taken in the expansion draft.

* The U.S. fell 3-1 to Denmark Wednesday.

*France is in the World Cup helped by a disputed missed hand ball; the Irish want a replay.

Reporter Phil Collin follows up Thursday's initial news with a more detailed story in today's newspaper you can read here.

Preki, as usual playing his cards close to his chest, doesn't reveal a whole lot:

"I've been here four years and I think we have done a pretty decent job advancing Chivas to a certain level. We're leaving the club in good hands and in a good way and with a healthy locker room. Hopefully somebody else will take them to the next level."

A healthy locker room?

Essentially then, whether it signifies a lack of commitment from the club or an inability by Preki to "take them to the next level" both sides believed more progress could be made under the direction of a different coach.

Veteran Jesse Marsch, absent from the team late in the season with a concussion, had more to say on Preki than Phil could fit in his story in the print edition, as you can imagine:

"His personality is such that he is never satisfied and that's where many people interpret some of his frustration or surliness at times. He's just the type of guy even when things going really well, say the beginning of this season, who is still never satisfied. He always thought we could do better and that's the nature of any good coach.

"He was an extremely organized in terms of providing expectations and a structure for what the team should look like, especially defensively. The thing I learned the most was defensive responsibility and tactical awareness. That was his bread and butter."

Marsch confirmed he is contemplating retirement after the frustrating end of season injury that seems to plague key Chivas USA players and left him watching the team bow out of the playoffs in the first round to the Galaxy:

"For me personally, I've been very lucky to be very healthy throughout my career and now in potentially what could be my last season to have to sit and watch the guys go on without me and play in a huge series like that and not be able to contribute was very disappointing and frustrating. I still tried to help out every way could - during the week, before the game, halftime.

"I couldn't help but sit and watch the team at a moment and wish that you were out there to provide a little bit of leadership and guidance at the end.

"I'm a little unsure (what's next for me) right now. I'm still dealing with the concussion, trying to recover from that. I hope to get past it and be able to make a clear decision whether I want to play or coach. Once I get to that point, I'll have a better idea."

"If it is to coach, I hope to set myself up the right way, have options and have people feel good about what I can bring."

Here's Marsch on the concussion:

"I've had a few in the past and never really had any lingering effects. This was a bit of a new experience. At first I thought I could push myself to get going, then I realized I was experiencing too many bad symptoms.

"I can be an impatient guy with injuries sometimes. But this is not like a calf injury or a pulled hamstring, where I can push it and still respond. It's something you just have to wait it out, get your head straight and healed before you go again. The worse thing that
can happen is to get a second impact."

Chivas USA could do worse than hiring Marsch as an assistant coach.

The decision on the next coach is crucial for a club still in search of an identity.

Do they go with a "safe," almost institutional choice, perhaps in the shape of former Bob Bradley assistant Martin Vasquez or shake things up with a bigger name?

Fans are reacting here.

The announcement today came after several days of rumors and speculation that Preki could be fired and just days after he had failed to guide the club past the first round of the MLS playoffs for the third consecutive year.

Despite assurances earlier this season that the club didn't want to disrupt the team's slow "building" process under Preki, many fans believed the club was stagnating and change was needed. The contract of the 2007 MLS Coach of the Year was up at year's end.

Indeed, Preki's team seemed to have peaked and even the late-season infusion of several players couldn't save Chivas USA's season - or his job.

"Preki has brought a great deal of success to this team, and is an important part of our history," said Chivas USA Vice President of Soccer Operations Stephen Hamilton. "His dedication and expertise have led us to the playoffs in each of his seasons here, and we owe him our thanks for all he has given the club. We wish him the very best as he moves into the next phase of his coaching career."

Assistant Coach Carlos Llamos takes over until the club names a new head coach.

From the Chivas USA press release:

In his three years as Head Coach of Chivas USA, Preki posted a career record of 40-29-21 (W-L-T) and a winning percentage of .561, the top mark in club history. The team captured the top spot in the Western Conference in the 2007 regular season, with a 15-7-8 record, missing out on the Supporters Shield by just two points.

Preki's parting words:

"It has been an honor to be a part of the Chivas USA family for the last four years," said Preki. "In my time here I have grown as a coach, and I am proud of our accomplishments. While I am excited to take the next step in my career, I will always have good memories of my time with Chivas USA."

Former Galaxy, Chivas USA and Bayern Munich assistant coach Martin Vazquez has been mentioned as a possible successor.

It's one of the more pointless awards MLS hands out, but for what it's worth the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year beat out the Chicago Fire's Brian McBride (who may have stopped playing in MLS, but never stopped playing excellent attacking soccer - is he available next year in South Africa?) and D.C. United's Ben Olsen (who last I heard hadn't really come back and was contemplating retirement because of injury).

But Thornton, 36, is as worthy a winner as they come considering he won his first MLS Goalkeeper of the Year title in 1998 with the Fire, a season in which he also helped the team to both the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup. Thornton won his last significant team honor with the Fire in 2003 when they won the Supporters Shield.

But in 2007 after eight seasons with Chicago, Thornton left and played for three clubs (Colorado, New York and Chivas) in two years and almost found himself out of the game.

Zach is back indeed.

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Flag this messageChivas USA's Zach Thornton named Major League Soccer's Comeback Player of the YearTuesday, November 10, 2009 11:08 AM
From: "David Lindholm" View contact detailsTo: undisclosed-recipients

Contacto | Contact :

Eduard Cauich, ecauich@cdchivasusa.com, +1 (310) 982-3656

David Lindholm, dlindholm@cdchivasusa.com, +1 (310) 974-2987

CHIVAS USA'S ZACH THORNTON NAMED MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER'S COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Thornton wins award after leading MLS in goals against average and shutouts during the regular season

CARSON, Calif. (Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009) - Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton was named Major League Soccer's Comeback Player of the Year today, adding another trophy to his 2009 collection after being named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year last week. The 36 year-old goalkeeper from Edgewood, Md., led Chivas USA to its fourth consecutive playoff berth in 2009 and had the top mark in MLS in both shutouts and goals against average.

Thornton earned the Comeback Player of the Year award due to his strong play throughout 2009 after enduring two difficult seasons in 2007 and 2008. He led Chivas USA to a 13-11-6 record and posted a career best 12 shutouts and 0.87 goals against average, which ranks second all-time in MLS history behind Pat Onstad's 0.82 mark in 2007. His 12 shutouts were one shy of the Chivas USA record, set in 2007 by Brad Guzan, who also earned Goalkeeper of the Year honors in that season. In being named Goalkeeper of the Year last week, Thornton became one of just three players to win the award twice, joining Joe Cannon and Pat Onstad.

After spending eight years as the starting goalkeeper for the Chicago Fire, Thornton spent the 2007 season with Colorado, playing just one game, and made no appearances with New York in 2008 before being traded to Chivas USA on Aug. 1 after Brad Guzan's departure for Aston Villa. Thornton took over as the starter, playing seven games before an injury sidelined him until the final regular season match, and posting a 1.80 goals against average in his eight matches played. Thornton worked in the offseason with Chivas USA Goalkeeper Coach Leo Percovich and on his own, entering the year slimmer and fitter, and started the season by leading the Red-and-White to a 7-1-1 record in the team's first nine games.

Thornton was drafted by the MetroStars in the 7th round of the 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft, playing two seasons with the club as a reserve behind Tony Meola before joining the Chicago Fire in the 1998 Expansion Draft. A star with the Fire for the bulk of the next nine seasons, Thornton also spent six months on loan with Benfica in Portugal in 2004. Winning his first MLS Goalkeeper of the Year title in 1998 with the Fire, a season in which he helped the team to both the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup, Thornton won two additional U.S. Open Cups with Chicago in 2000 and 2003, as well as the Supporters Shield in 2003. A six time All-Star (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2009), Thornton ranks second in MLS history in shutouts (70) and wins (125), behind only Kevin Hartman in both categories.

Thornton led the voting for Comeback Player of the Year ahead of Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride and D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen, the other finalists for the award. It is given to the player who earned the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches, and members of the media.

BTW, here are the other MLS Comeback Player of the Year Winners over the years:

2008: Kenny Cooper - FC Dallas

2007: Eddie Johnson - Kansas City Wizards

2006: Richard Mulrooney - FC Dallas

2005: Chris Klein - Kansas City Wizards

2004: Brian Ching - San Jose Earthquakes

2003: Chris Armas - Chicago Fire

2002: Chris Klein - Kansas City Wizards

2001: Troy Dayak - San Jose Earthquakes

2000: Tony Meola - Kansas City Wizards

Galaxy 1 Chivas USA 0

Game story

The Houston Dynamo are up next at 8 p.m. Friday in the Western Conference Championship. (live ESPN2).

Notable: This will be the first ever postseason meeting between the Galaxy and Dynamo (the former Earthquakes, of course), which advanced to the Conference Championship today with a 1-0 aggregate goal series win over the Seattle Sounders. The Galaxy beat the Dynamo 1-0 June 28 at the HDC and played to a scoreless draw against them Oct. 18 in Houston.

Quotable:

"I don't screw them, y'know (smiles wryly)," said Dema Kovalenko after being asked what his post-whistle gesture that sparked the melee meant. "It's good to win, y'know. I love winning. I'm very competitive. I don't care. Sometimes I don't think straight when I'm on the field, y'know. But it feels good because we're still playing and there's only four teams left and everybody else home. Nothing to take away from Chivas because they're a good team, have good players, but we're better. That's why we are here, y'know?"

Yeah, Dema, we know.

AP Photo

Here's David Beckham on the effort:

"We defended great tonight, y'know, because after the last game we had to work on a few things. And I thought our back four tonight was exceptional. And when we defend like that there's always a chance we're going to win."

Here's Beckham on his knocks that prompted his substitution:

"It's sore. I got a knee in the back. And I went into (back) spams. Also I twisted my ankle. It will be fine. I'm sure it will be fine, we'll see how it is tomorrow. I've had an injection and a cold bath and I'll have a sleep tonight and maybe a glass of wine to numb the pain."

Here's Beckham on his pass that provoked the PK:

"I've played longer ones before. It's what I do. If I see a pass, maybe I can play it. Maybe that's what caused my back to go into spasms I'm not so sure, but it was worth it anyway."

Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan just tweeted: "bummed we lost...some things are just ridiculous."

Landon Donovan scores from the penalty kick. AP Photo

For columnist Jill Painter's view on Donovan's performance, click here.

Galaxy 1 Chivas USA 0

Chivas ch-ch-chokes (again)

Galaxy advance to play Houston at 8 p.m. Friday in Carson.

Dema Kovalenko made a crude gesture as the final whistle blew toward the Chivas USA bench as if to say, "we screwed you again."

Chivas USA Coach Preki blew his top and tried to get to Kovalenko. That's a league fine for unsportsmanlike conduct, methinks (for Dema, not Preki).

Beckham received a huge ovation as he left the field, BTW. The difference a few months (and wins) make, huh?

More later.

Galaxy 1 Chivas USA 0

David Beckham played a huge role in earning this goal for the Galaxy sending a long, gorgeous crossfield pass from the Galaxy's own half to Landon Donovan who crossed it to Mike Magee.

Magee was brought down - speared really by Yamith Cuesta - as he attempted to control the ball and was rewarded with a penalty kick.

Landon Donovan took it as usual and scored his 16th Galaxy playoff goal in 20 games to leave him tied with Carlos Ruiz for the lead in post-season goals for L.A. MLS and the Galaxy ahead of Chivas USA in this playoff game with 17 minutes left.

It was the Galaxy's first PK since May 6.

Galaxy 0 Chivas USA 0

The Galaxy have had the better of this game so far and by all rights should be leading.

A 25-yard Chris Klein volley from a Landon Donovan cross in the 35th minute was perhaps the best Galaxy chance, requiring as it did an agile punch by Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton to send it over the bar.

David Beckham should have at least got the ball on the frame a minute earlier, but sent his 19-yard shot wastefully over the bar when he was wide open and had plenty of time to set the shot up.

Chivas USA's best scoring opportunity came in the 38th minute when a blistering Sacha Kljestan shot from long range grazed the top of the bar.

How close is the game? Each side has two shots apiece on target, but the Galaxy lead eight to six in shots.

Excellent loud, passionate crowd here tonight with some folks on the berm sitting around a big new sign that reads "Our city our home."

Hmm, think the Galaxy feel a little threatened by Chivas USA?.

Well, my laptop just died so I'm depending on the kindness of coworkers here to blog (sporadically).

Here's the scenario: if the Galaxy win they'll face the Houston Dynamo at home 8 o'clock Friday; if Chivas USA wins they'll travel to Houston for a Sunday game.

There's just one change for the Galaxy today: Chris Birchall has fallen ill (nothing serious I'm told), so Chris Klein replaces him in midfield.

Chivas USA have made two changes from the team that faced the Galaxy last weekend: Shavar Thomas replaces Ante Jazic in defense, while Jesus Padilla replaces Marcelo Saragosa.

Galaxy XI: Ricketts, Franklin, Berhalter, Gonzalez, Dunivant, Klein, Beckham, Kovalenko, Donovan, Buddle, Magee.

Chivas USA XI: Thornton, Talley, Cuesta, Thomas, Bornstein, Lahoud, Nagamura, Padilla, Kljestan, Santos, Braun.

What: Galaxy-Chivas USA Western Conference Semifinal second leg
When: 4:30 p.m. today
Where: Home Depot Center on the campus Of California State University, Dominguez Hills or live on ESPN2.

Looks to be tickets still available at a variety of prices (I just did some cursory checking on Ticketmaster) including $20 spots on the grass berm.

For more on the game read:
* The game preview by Phil Collin.

* More from Saturday.

* About big bucks Becks.

* No one wants PK's to decide this game.

* About the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.

* A plea for pretty soccer.

* This column to put the game in context.

As usual, I'll be blogging from the HDC.

And if that's what you came here for, scroll down.

With just over 24 hours to go until the Galaxy-Chivas USA Western Conference semifinal second leg (4:30 p.m. Sunday ESPN2) and the teams deadlocked at 2-2 halfway through what is essentially a 180 minute game (although, of course, it could go longer) here's press box colleague Luis Bueno on the pressure on Chivas USA.

Ives Galarcep reaches a similar conclusion here.

Oh, and happy birthday to Chivas USA defender Jonathan Bornstein (who turns 25 today).

Friday's women's college games
Washington 1 UCLA 2

Friday's men's college games
UCLA 1 Oregon 1

Loyola Marymount 2 Gonzaga 1

Cal State Dominguez Hills 2 Cal State San Bernardino 1

Washington State 0 USC 0

And finally, they throw you out of the soccer bloggers club if you don't post this video. If you're one of the three people in the country who have yet to see this check it out:

For perspective, here's the view of Los Angeles feminist soccer blogger Jennifer Doyle.

That second trivia question was a little tougher, apparently.

Far fewer readers could name one of two goalkeepers who had dressed for both the Galaxy and Chivas USA this season than correctly answered the first question.

The answers: Miguel Benitez of Cal State Dominguez Hills and Kevin Guppy of Cal State Northridge. Both were among the pool of emergency goalkeepers MLS keeps on hand to help clubs caught short in that position and both were called up by the two clubs at some point this season.

The winners: Adam Serrano of Arcadia and Far Farshad of Pacific Palisades.

Congrats to both - I've sent you e-mails telling you when and where to pick up your pair of tickets to Sunday's Galaxy-Chivas USA Western conference semifinal decider at Home Depot Center in Carson.

Thanks to everyone who entered the two contests and the Galaxy for providing the four pairs of tickets.

If you didn't win and still want to go the game, click here.

Two days until the Galaxy-Chivas USA Western Conference semifinal from Carson's Home Depot Center (4:30 p.m. ESPN2) and the Galaxy blog reports tickets are going fast and the club is considering opening up the grass berm.

Don't have yours yet? Click here.

Suggested reading/listening/viewing:
*Reporter Phil Collin has more on the game here.

*The Galaxy's Chris Birchall, a mid-season signing, is fast becoming a regular on the starting XI. Did he expect that?

*Former Chicago Fire player Jared Montz talks to Chivas USA's Jesse Marsch in a podcast on his blog.

*Can the Galaxy get a goal or two past the reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year?

I'll have more on the game Saturday.

Plenty of other soccer to watch this weekend on TV (click to the right for a full listing).

Saturday's games
6:54 a.m. ESPN2 Tottenham Hotspur-Sunderland
7 a.m. Fox Soccer Channel Aston Villa-Bolton Wanderers
9:30 a.m. FSC Wolverhampton Wanderers-Arsenal
12:45 p.m. ESPND Athletico Madrid-Real Madrid
5:30 p.m. FSC Chicago Fire-New England Revolution
7 p.m. KVEA Atlas-CD Guadalajara

Sunday's games
6 a.m. FSC Lazio-AC Milan
8 a.m. FSC Chelsea-Manchester United
11:30 a.m. FSC Inter Milan-Roma
Noon TeleFutura Houston Dynamo-Seattle Sounders
2 p.m. KMEX Club America-Monterrey

In local college action:
*Cal State Dominguez Hills (stars and all) is in action today.

*But the season is over for the Cal State Northridge women's team after dropping a 2-1 decision to UC Santa Barbara Thursday. Still, the Matadors finish the year with a 10-10 overall mark and a 6-2 league record that's tied for the best conference result in school history.

*The Matador men end the regular season at 7 p.m. Saturday at UC Irvine. Cal State Northridge (9-7-2, 4-4-1, BWC) won 1-0 Wednesday at home against Cal State Fullerton in OT, keeping their playoff aspirations alive going into Saturday's game. From the Matadors press release:

A Northridge victory will give the team enough points to clinch the fourth spot while an Anteater victory will bump Cal Poly from their current position as the second seed and drop them to third place in the standings, giving Irvine an opportunity to host a first-round game.

*The UCLA men UCLA (9-3-2, 4-1-2 Pac-10) return home for a three-game homestand to close the regular season. First up is a 7 o'clock game tonight against Oregon State at Drake Stadium. At 1 p.m. Sunday the Bruins face Washington at Drake Stadium in a game that is free for all veterans and active military personnel (who receive four free admissions with proper ID). In addition, Sunday is AYSO/Youth Soccer Day. Youth soccer team members and their coaches will be admitted free if they're wearing their team jerseys. Moreover, UCLA Alumni Association card holders will receive four free admissions with alumni association card. Team posters will be given away Friday, team photo cards Sunday.

*The Loyola Marymount men (7-8-1, 2-5-1 WCC) close out their season this weekend with games at 2:30 p.m. today against Gonzaga and 2 p.m. Sunday against Portland at Sullivan Field.

Enjoy the weekend.

Feel the passion!

Thanks to the dozens of you who entered the first ticket contest with prizes courtesy of the Galaxy.

The winners: Mike Crandall of Glendora and Kristinne Uy of Rosemead, who win a pair of tickets each to Sunday's big game.

They correctly answered the question: who is the only player to score for both the Galaxy and Chivas USA this season?

The answer, as most of you knew, was Alecko Eskandarian. (Although I did like the person who answered Don Garder, which sounds like MLS Commish Don Garber's Bizarro planet alter-ego).

So for a chance to win one of two more pairs of tickets for Sunday's crucial game (and help the Galaxy fill up the upper deck), let's separate the hardcore soccer fans from the herd since so many of you observed the question was too easy.

You know Eskandarian suited up for both the Galaxy and Chivas USA this season, but did you know two other players accomplished the same feat? Now, neither actually appeared in an MLS game. Both, BTW, are goalkeepers (hint, hint).

Name one of them.

Good luck.

E-mail the answer to nick.green at dailybreeze.com. The deadline is noon Friday. Again, I'll choose two correct answers at random (if there are that many, heh, heh). BTW, credit for this obscure question should go to press box colleague Scott French.

If you don't know the answer, click here.

(Incidentally, this is a helluva RSL-Crew game I'm watching on DVR. Make sure and check out the highlights. Think someone had a point to prove?)

SuperClasico Playoff Passion (AP Photo)

The game is tied at 2-2.

There will be a winner Sunday whether it's after 90 minutes, 120 minutes or penalty kicks.

And the Galaxy are giving away two pairs of tickets to the game to the person who correctly answers the trivia question: Which player has scored for BOTH Chivas USA and the Galaxy this season?

E-mail answers to me at nick.green at dailybreeze.com. I'll accept entries through 3 p.m. and will then pick two correct answers at random.

I'll announce the winners here, so be sure to check back.

Two more pairs of tickets will be available (and a new trivia question) Friday morning for those of you who don't win today.

Alternatively, you can buy tickets to the biggest game in the short rivalry between the two clubs here.