Recently in Mexican Futbol Category

Club Tijuana fans cheer on Sunday during a 3-1 home loss to Santos Laguna, but they're mainly just happy to have a team in the highest echelon of Mexican futbol (Photo courtesy Club Tijuana).

There is no doubt that Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente has aspirations of drawing Americans soccer fans over the border and giving MLS a run for its money in this part of the world.

The effort is in its nascent stages in terms of marketing and reaching out to fans.

I'm told, for instance, that there are chartered buses Southern California residents can take to games; I've discovered finding out the details of these trips is a little more challenging (so if anyone knows let me know).

Seeing a game in Tijuana is a completely different cultural experience from one at Home Depot Center - not necessarily better, IMHO, despite the comments of fans in the column. But it's more than simply seeing a sporting event and something MLS could learn from.

It helps too that the city is seeing something of a renaissance culturally including an influx of gourmet restaurants and well-known chefs, a friend who grew up in the city and accompanied me on the trip observed. Crime is way down as well, with the drug violence plaguing some parts of Mexico having moved elsewhere in comparison to a few years ago.

During prohibition the city was the place for Americans to party, especially at the horse racing track the soccer stadium is now built on in part. Now, 80 or so years later, American soccer fans have another excuse to visit, party and watch some of the best players in the world up close (long-time Mexican international goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez was between the posts for Santos for Sunday's game, for example).

All in all it's an experience I recommend and one I plan to repeat.

Read more here in today's column.

*Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza and the U.S. plays Panama at 5:30 p.m. today live on Galavision.

*Mexico faces Chivas USA's Alejandro Moreno and Venezuela in Houston (live 6 p.m. KMEX). More here.

*FOX Soccer announced today it will air live the FA Cup showdown between Americans Landon Donovan, Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey when Everton and Fulham meet at noon Friday in the fourth-round game. JP Dellacamera and Eric Wynalda will commentate marking the first time Americans have called an FA Cup match on the channel.

*Individual tickets went on sale today for the Group B matches of 2012 men's Olympic qualifying in Carson.

Here's the details from the HDC: The group consists of Mexico, Honduras, Panama and Trinidad & Tobago. Doubleheader events involving these four teams will be held March 23, 25 and 27. The top two finishers from each group will advance to the elimination round in Kansas City.

Fans can order tickets online at ussoccer.com, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, at local Ticketmaster ticket centers in the venue cities, and at the respective stadium ticket offices during their local business hours.

*USMNT goalkeeper Hope Solo is a doubt for the crucial Olympics qualification decider _ and her "Dancing with the Stars" stint was a contributing factor in the injury. AP Sports Writer Joseph White has more:

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Hope Solo has an ailing leg, the result of some extra work she was putting in to get back into playing shape after "Dancing With the Stars."

The timing isn't the greatest. The U.S. women's soccer team is about to play the game that determines whether it goes to the Olympics.

"We have to make a decision whether she is 100 percent to go or not," coach Pia Sundhage said Wednesday. "And if she isn't, we have a tremendous backup goalkeeper."

The United States plays Costa Rica on Friday in the semifinals of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament. The winner goes to London; the loser stays home for the summer.

Solo was clutching her right leg during the Americans' 4-0 win over Mexico on Tuesday and was wearing on ice pack on the leg after the game. She said she had a "little quad pull," suffered a few days earlier in practice and aggravated during the first half against the Mexicans.

Cold as Ice: U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo adjusts an ice pack on her leg following a 4-0 win over Mexico Tuesday in Olympic qualifying (AP Photo).

"Toward the end of the game I was a little worried that I was going to have to come out, but being qualifying and only having three subs, you don't really want to sub the goalkeeper," Solo said after the game. "So I definitely knew I could maintain for another 15 minutes."

Solo has said she lost some of her muscle strength during her two-month run on "Dancing With the Stars," an appearance that capitalized on the U.S. team's popularity following last summer's World Cup. She finished in fourth place with partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy, but the moves involved in executing the perfect cha-cha aren't the same as the ones needed to stop a header at the far post.

"I'm trying to get my quickness back, and my sharpness back, and my kicking back, so I've been focusing a lot on my kicking," she said. "And I think it just fatigued and it pulled a little bit."

Solo has played every minute of the Americans' three games at the tournament, but she hasn't had to do much. The U.S. team has outscored its opponents 31-0, and Solo didn't have to make a save against Mexico.

And, on paper at least, a less-than-100-percent Solo or backup Nicole Barnhart should be more than enough to hold off Costa Rica.

Las Ticas are ranked No. 41 in the world have never beaten the U.S., having been outscored 34-0 in seven meetings.

But the Americans are wary about the game because they slipped up in the semifinals of World Cup qualifying 14 months ago, losing to Mexico for the first time ever. The defeat forced the U.S. into a playoff to earn a trip to the World Cup in Germany.

There is no such playoff available in Olympic qualifying, so an upset on Friday would keep the world's top-ranked team out of the Summer Games.

Solo and her teammates got a needed day off Wednesday following a grueling stretch of three games in five days.

"Luckily going into the next game, the most important game, I'll have an extra day of rest,"
Solo said Tuesday night. "So I think things should be fine. I'm hoping things will be fine."

While Solo's dancing stint brought invaluable attention to women's soccer, Sundhage admits she was apprehensive after finding out that her goalkeeper was taking part.

"I was scared. High heels?" the coach said with a laugh. "It doesn't matter what I think.
Obviously she wanted to do it. Obviously it was fun for her, and a lot of attention to the
goalkeeper of the national team. But, honestly, I was scared. That outfit? It was so different from the soccer player Hope Solo I know."

So was the coach rooting against Solo, perhaps hoping for an early elimination?

"I didn't vote for her," said Sundhage, laughing again. "I'll tell you that."

Golden girls: UCLA product Sydney Leroux and Diamond Bar's Alex Morgan celebrate one of the numerous goals the U.S. scored Sunday against Guatemala (AP Photo).

Having scored an incredible 27 goals in its first two Olympic qualifiers, the U.S. shifts its attention today to sturdier prey: Mexico.

The USWNT is talking revenge for that infamous World Cup qualifying defeat, but really the motivation for winning should be more about avoiding Canada in the semis.

Still, at least the location - chilly Vancouver, B.C. is apt; after all isn't revenge a dish best served cold? AP Sports Writer Joseph White has the preview for the game that will air at
7:30 p.m. on the Universal Sports Network:

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Heather Mitts remembers the feeling walking off the field in Cancun, having been a part of the first and only loss the U.S. women's soccer team has ever suffered in a qualifying match for the World Cup or Olympics.

"It was awful," Mitts said. "It was obviously for us a real wakeup call. We definitely weren't
prepared. We weren't prepared, and they came out and they played great against us."

Final score: Mexico 2, United States 1. It was Nov. 5, 2010. Mexico had punched its ticket to the World Cup. The Americans would have to play three more games to get there.

The opportunity for payback has arrived. The U.S. plays Mexico on Tuesday for first place in their group in the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for the London Olympics.

"That's obviously the game that's been marked on our calendars this entire tournament," forward Abby Wambach said.

And, yes, the teams have met once since the game that many consider to be among the biggest upsets in soccer history, but it was an exhibition in New Jersey last June, a warmup for the World Cup won 1-0 by the U.S.

That hardly counted as revenge.

"No. Absolutely not," Mitts said. "That was a friendly. This is Olympic qualifying. It doesn't
matter if we're playing Mexico or not; we still have to win these games to get to the next step.
I think it does add to it that we are playing Mexico -- and the revenge factor does help."

Beyond having a score to settle, the game is a vital one. The region only gets to send two teams to London, and four remain in the hunt. The winner of the U.S.-Mexico game will draw an easier match against Costa Rica in the do-or-die semifinals, while the loser has to play the more formidable Canada.

Coach Pia Sundhage and her players spent much time contemplating what went wrong in Cancun 14 months ago. Sure, the Mexicans had home-field advantage -- the rowdy crowd spent the game chanting and throwing cans, bottles, paper and other objects toward the field -- but it's a brutal fact that the Americans were so used to winning that complacency had settled in.

"I definitely think taking a team for granted -- and maybe thinking we were better than what we were -- had a lot to do with it," forward Lauren Cheney said.

Cheney also said many of her a teammates were simply exhausted. The Cancun tournament, and the camp that preceded it, had come at the end of the long Women's Professional Soccer league season.

Sundhage takes the blame for that. She said the team wasn't sharp during the entire
tournament.

"When I think back, I made a mistake having them together too long," Sundhage said. "I learned my lesson."

For the Olympic qualifying, the team had a shorter camp in California before arriving in
Vancouver. It's hard to judge the results thus far: The Americans have won by scores of 14-0 and 13-0, but their opponents were so overmatched it wouldn't have mattered much how the U.S. prepared. The most helpful result of the blowouts is an overwhelming goal differential that means a draw against Mexico will be enough to win the group.

Mexico also has been cruising through the tournament, winning 5-0 and 7-0 against the same teams the Americans have played. The lopsided scores have allowed both teams to rest key players to keep them fresh for Tuesday's showdown.

While the Americans cite the loss in Cancun as more evidence of a growing parity in women's soccer, Mexico coach Leonardo Cuellar said his country has far to go to catch up with its counterparts to the north.

"They're obviously the best in the world," Cuellar said. "You see the U.S. and Canada, they basically have national teams that if they're not living together, they are dedicated to a national team. For us we still have players that go to school, go to work. We're at a different level, so it's a big challenge for us."

Tigres Triumph: Tigres' players, seen here celebrating their team's league title after beating Santos de Torreon Dec. 11, begin their championship defense this weekend as the Mexican league begins anew (AP Photo).

If it isn't enough that American soccer fans will experience the longest MLS season ever this year, while Galaxy fans are keeping tabs on the EPL (where Landon Donovan is plying his trade) and the Bundesliga (ditto Omar Gonzalez) U.S. players are increasingly making a breakthrough south of the border, too, (an out of shape Eddie Johnson aside, who is apparently incapable of playing for any team any where in the world these days).

The Mexican league cranks up again this weekend with relegation-threatened Tijuana (who trained in Oxnard during the preseason and are seeking to capture Southern California-based Mexican futbol fans' hearts that just don't flutter when it comes to Chivas USA) facing Morelia at 6 p.m. on KAZA.

To get you primed, here's the Associated Press season preview:

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Tigres' determination to defy the odds by winning back-to-back titles in the Mexico Clausura saw them sign Mexico international right winger Elias Hernandez.

Tigres last month won their first title in 29 years but aren't sitting on their laurels.

The other front-runners in the Clausura should be the four traditional powers -- Chivas, Pumas, Cruz Azul and America -- with Morelia, Monterrey and Santos Laguna there or thereabouts.

Unlike many other foreign leagues, the Mexican first division is unpredictable: Eight different teams have won the last 11 championships and no team has won consecutive titles since Pumas in 2004.

At the other end, Atlas, Estudiantes Tecos and Club Tijuana are set for a relegation battle that will see one team drop to the second division when the regular season ends in late April.

The season kicks off on Friday with Morelia against Club Tijuana, with the other first-round games set for Saturday and Sunday.

Tigres have kept together a stingy defense, and have added Hernandez as they also prepare to play in Latin America's biggest club tournament -- the Copa Libertadores.

Tigres Passion: Fans will be hoping the club can repeat their title triumph.

"I think defending the title adds an extra ingredient," Tigres' Argentine captain Lucas Lobos said. "Becoming champions again would be something beautiful."

Tigres have lost only attacking midfielder Danilinho, who has been loaned to Atletico Mineiro in his native Brazil.

"The challenge will be to maintain what the team showed last season," added Tigres midfielder Carlos Salcido, who signed five months ago from English Premier League club Fulham.

Tigres' city rival Monterrey signed the top scorer from the Clausura 2011, Angel Reyna, who was unwanted at America. Reyna made critical comments several months ago about America defender Aquivaldo Mosquera, and was subsequently dropped from the first team.

"They were off-the-pitch things that are now in the past," Reyna said. "I'm totally determined and motivated for the current season and already thinking about the first game."

Reyna's former club America -- one of the most popular in Mexico -- has undergone a major overhaul including a new coach in Miguel Herrera, who moved from Atlante.

Herrera has signed Venezuelan defender Oswaldo Vizcarrondo, as well as goalkeeper Moises Munoz, forward Christian Bermudez and midfielder Jose Maria Cardenas, as America seeks to improve on its poor 17th-place finish in the Apertura.

Like most Latin American countries, Mexico divides its season into two parts: Apertura (Opening) and Clausura (Closing).

America's big rival, CD Guadalajara, was quiet in the transfer market and is set to
challenge for its 12th title, again relying on players from the club's youth academy. Chivas fields only Mexican players.

Clausura 2011 champion Pumas will also go with youth. The Mexico City side has not made new signings, and has lost experienced forward Francisco Palencia, who retired at the end of last season.

Santos, runners-up last season, have opted for continuity after reaching three of the last four finals. The only addition is American international striker Herculez Gomez from Estudiantes Tecos.

Cruz Azul has not managed to lift the league trophy since 1997, despite regularly getting close. The club has signed experienced striker Omar Bravo, who was playing for Sporting Kansas City in MLS.

Morelia hope to be stronger with the signings of defender Oscar Razo and defensive midfielder Christian Valdez.

Relegation in Mexico is based on results across three years with one team being relegated every year. Tijuana, Atlas and Estudiantes Tecos are tightly bunched at the foot of the relegation table and have added to their squads hoping to avoid the drop.

Tijuana has signed Colombian Duvier Riascos, American Edgar Castillo and Jose Alfredo Gonzalez, while Atlas has brought in seven new players, including Venezuela international Giancarlo Maldonado from Atlante.

Financially strapped Estudiantes Tecos have brought in five new players, but lost Gomez and Argentine Jorge Zamogilny, who moved to relegation rivals Atlas.

Jaguares, San Luis, Pachuca, Toluca, Atlante, Queretaro and Puebla all have an outside chance at the title, but aren't considered contenders.

On Saturday it's Queretaro vs. Club America (2:55 p.m. Telefutura), Cruz Azul vs. Tigres (3 p.m. KAZA), Monterrey vs. Jaguares (2:55 p.m. Galavision), Chivas vs. Atlante, Santos vs. Pachuca (4:55 p.m. Telefutura), San Luis vs. Pumas (6:30 p.m. Galavision). On Sunday: Puebla vs. Atlas (10 a.m. KAZA), Toluca vs Estudiantes (9:55 a.m. Univision).

*The Galaxy have formally announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Marcelo Sarvas from Costa Rican club Alajuelense, the day after Coach Bruce Arena told reporters about the acquisition during a conference call.

Sarvas, 30, received his work visa today, although judging by his career path so far fans shouldn't get too attached to him, apparently. From the Galaxy press release:

Sarvas is capable of playing in the center of midfield or on either wing. A product of the successful Corinthians youth system in Brazil, Sarvas appeared in 15 games in all competitions last season for Alajuelense, playing in nine league games during the Invierno and all six of his club's CONCACAF Champions League matches, including both games against the Galaxy.

After beginning his career in his native Brazil, Sarvas went to Europe in 2004 at the age of 23, signing with Karlskrona AIF of the Swedish Sodra Gotaland. A year later he moved to fellow Swedish club Mjallby AIF and then to IF Limhamm Brunkeflo. Ahead of the start of the 2009/10 European season, Sarvas was on the move again, joining KSP Warszawa in Poland. After one and a half seasons in Poland in which he scored two league goals, Sarvas moved to Costa Rica, signing with Alajuelense on Jan. 17, 2011.

In one year with the Costa Rican champions, Sarvas helped lead Alajuelense to the 2011 Verano title and a berth in the 2011 Invierno championship. He appeared in 21 of the club's 30 league games in that time, scoring three times, including twice during the recent Invierno.

*Another player who has had a nomadic career is Los Angeles native Herculez Gomez, so it should be no surprise the former Galaxy player is on the move again, especially since he asked fans for input on his possible destination on his Facebook page recently:

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- American forward Herculez Gomez has signed with Santos Laguna, his fourth club in the Mexican League.

Club president Alejandro Irarragorri said Monday that Gomez, who played for the United States in last year's World Cup, will join the northern Mexican team for the upcoming Clausura season.

Gomez scored seven goals in the Apertura season for Estudiantes Tecos of Guadalajara. He previously played for Puebla and Pachuca after spending time with the Galaxy, Colorado Rapids and Kansas City in MLS.

Santos Laguna reached the final of the Mexican Apertura playoff, losing 3-1 to UANL Tigres on Sunday for a 4-1 aggregate defeat in the two-leg series.

*Finally, Mexican futbol fans have a chance to see a top tier team for free Wednesday in Ventura County - but the time isn't convenient for many fans.

The Ventura County Fusion PDL team will play an exhibition match against Club Tijuana at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Oxnard College Stadium, 4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard.

Admission is free.

This is the Fusion's second international exhibition match within a week. Last Friday they beat Chivas Guadalajara's U-20 team, 3-0.

First: U.S. midfielder Stuart Holden has been ruled out for up to six weeks after fracturing his left leg Wednesday in the game against the Netherlands in Amsterdam. Details here.

Also this morning:

Chivas striker Javier Hernandez celebrates after scoring for Mexico against New Zealand Wednesday at the Rose Bowl (AP Photo).

*Mexico beat New Zealand 2-0 Wednesday at the Rose Bowl before a rabid crowd of more than 90,000.

"It was a rambunctious crowd," Pasadena Police Lt. George Wiley said. "Ten minutes before the end it started raining. That settled things down a little."

About a dozen people were taken into custody on misdemeanor alcohol-related offenses.

Game story here.

*Guatemala beat El Salvador 2-1 Wednesday at the Coliseum. New Chivas USA midfielder Osael Romero came on as a 61st minute sub for El Salvador.

*David Beckham was an unused substitute in England's 3-1 win over Egypt.

*Alta Loma striker Jennifer Gonzalez, who plays for local youth team Arsenal FC, was selected Thursday for the 20-player squad that will seek to qualify for the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup at the upcoming CONCACAF U-17 Women's Championship March 10-20 in Costa Rica.

Updated:
Galaxy striker Alecko Eskandarian, struggling with a concussion injury he suffered last season, posted this on Facebook this morning:

Just wanted to let all my friends and fans know I will have an update soon on my injury status for the upcoming 2010 season. Stay tuned.

Here's what's on tap on a busy day full of significant international fixtures:

*The U.S. Women's National Team beat Germany 3-2 today to lift the Algarve Cup in Portugal on a lucky 70th minute goal by UCLA's Lauren Cheney. Not an insignificant victory against the nation that hosts next year's World Cup. More here.

*The newly-anointed 18th best team in the world, the U.S., at least according to the widely-disparaged FIFA rankings (the latest edition was released today) plays the Netherlands at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN2 and Galavision. More here. And here's the U.S. starting XI.

*Mexico plays New Zealand at the Rose Bowl (8 p.m. on KVEA). One correction to the article: New Zealand's Ryan Nelsen is out injured and will not play. Also, Mexico will likely play England at Wembley May 23, although the date still has to be confirmed.

*El Salvador plays Guatemala at 8 p.m. at the Coliseum where Chivas USA's new signing Osael Romero will be on view.

*In other games, Germany faces Argentina at 11:45 a.m. on GOLTV, while the same channel has Italy-Cameroon at 1:45 p.m.

*U.S. Soccer has confirmed the East Coast location of the previously scheduled game against the Czech Republic:

AMSTERDAM (AP) -- The United States will start its World Cup send-off tour by playing the Czech Republic at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn., on May 25.

The site of the match was announced Wednesday by U.S. Soccer Federation. The U.S. has played at Rentschler Field twice previously, defeating Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in August 2005 and beating Latvia 1-0 in its final warmup before the 2006 World Cup.

The Americans play Turkey at Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field on May 29 before leaving for South Africa. They also might play fellow World Cup qualifier Australia in an exhibition on June 5 in Johannesburg.

Making its sixth straight World Cup appearance, the U.S. opens June 12 against England, plays Slovenia six days later and completes the first round against Algeria on June 23.

In addition to playing the U.S., the Czechs meet Turkey on May 22 in the first match between national teams at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

At the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the Czechs outplayed the Americans in the tournament opener for both teams, winning 3-0. In 1990, Czechoslovakia routed the U.S. 5-1 in the Americans' return to the World Cup following a 40-year absence.

The Czech Republic failed to advance to the 32-nation field for this year's World Cup in South Africa, finishing behind Slovakia and Slovenia in its European qualifying group.

*Lastly, MLS Commish Don Garber says bring on the Brits:

MANCHESTER, England (AP) -- Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber wants English Premier League clubs to invest in teams or start new franchises in the United States.

As part of wider discussions with English clubs about co-operation, Garber said Wednesday that money can be made in the expanding MLS.

Some English clubs already travel to the U.S. in the offseason to build their profile by playing exhibitions. Garber said helping to grow the sport in North America is the next logical step for them.

The Galaxy's Landon Donovan sounds more than a mite interested in staying/returning to Everton: "Every day that goes by makes me think that I want to stay here," he told the Associated Press.

Full story here:

LIVERPOOL, England -- Landon Donovan expects to return to Everton in the future even though he will leave the Premier League club when his 10-week loan ends next month.

The United States midfielder was Everton's player of the month for January and has helped lift his new team from 12th place to eighth.

"I'm enjoying it and enjoying every day that I'm here," Donovan said. "Every day that goes by makes me think that I want to stay here. "I would definitely imagine that I will be back here at some point in my life."

The 28-year-old Donovan is due to head back to the Los Angeles Galaxy for the club's opening Major League Soccer game on March 27.

Fans have set up a Facebook group to promote keeping Donovan at Everton. It has attracted more than 3,900 fans since being created Feb. 12.

"I wasn't aware of that," Donovan said. "That's pretty funny. We'll see what happens."

Meanwhile, David Beckham didn't get off the bench today as AC Milan moved into second in Serie A with a last minute 2-1 victory over Fiorentina.

The Galaxy beat Colorado 2-0 in a scrimmage today in Arizona.

Chivas USA drew 1-1 and 0-0 in a pair of 60-minute scrimmages today with the Kansas City Wizards in Arizona. Mariano Trujillo got the goal in the first game.

Chivas USA lineup (first game) - Jon Conway, Carey Talley, Emilio Viades, Carlos Borja, Ante Jazic, Mariano Trujillo, Blair Gavin, Michael Lahoud, Jorge Flores, Maykel Galindo, Justin Braun

Chivas USA lineup (second game) - Dan Kennedy, Miguel Sanchez, Claudio Suárez, Yamith Cuesta, Kevin Tangney, Cesar Zamora, Mario Padilla (Jesus Ochoa 45), Ben Zemanski, Chris Ross, Chukwudi Chijindu, Artur Aghasyan

The U.S. Women's National Team won its Algarve Cup opener today.

Torrance's Shannon Boxx glides past Iceland's Rakel Honnu today in the two teams' Algarve Cup opener (AP Photo).

Finally, Scotland-based defender Steven Old has replaced injured captain Ryan Nelsen on New Zealand's roster for the March 3 World Cup warmup against Mexico at the Rose Bowl. The former D.C. United defender is out out four to six weeks after pulling muscles and bruising a knee Monday night during Blackburn's 3-0 Premier League win over Bolton, but should be fit by the World Cup.

This legal battle doesn't affect Chivas USA, BTW.

This is the clearest explanation of this complex issue I've yet seen (a Goal.com story earlier this week that appeared translated from Spanish was virtually unintelligible), although the ramifications of this courtroom squabble isn't spelled out in this story either.

But, for what it's worth, here's the story:

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Owners past and present of Mexican side Chivas Guadalajara are engaged in a legal battle over the rights to use the club's name and trademarks.

An administrative court has ruled in favor of a group of former owners and has asked a federal court to follow its guidelines.

However, current owner Jorge Vergara, who bought the club in 2002 and changed its legal name, has said he retains ownership of the name and trademarks of the Chivas brand.

The complex case is likely to go to a higher court or be resolved in an agreement between the sides.

Former president Francisco Cardenas is arguing that the club's trademark still belongs to Club Deportivo Guadalajara AC. When Vergara bought the club, he changed its name to Club Deportivo Guadalajara SA de CV.

Vergera's lawyer, Leticia Ruiz, said the case brought by some of the former owners amounted to a publicity stunt.

"There will be no real legal ramifications," Ruiz said. "We will continue to use our
trademarks and nobody has the right to ask us to do otherwise."

Major League Soccer spokesman Dan Courtemanche said the case does not apply to Chivas USA.

"Chivas USA has protected its brand in the United States and Canada and is not involved with any of the legal proceedings in Mexico," Courtemanche said.

Glad that's cleared up, then.

A couple of things to pass along this evening:

*Chivas USA scored twice in each half Tuesday at a cold and rainy UC Irvine to beat the hosts 4-0 in a preseason scrimmage. Artur Aghasyan, who was with the PDL Ventura County Fusion last season, scored both first half goals. Gerson Mayén and draft pick Chris Ross added two more in the second 45 minutes.

Lineups:
Chivas USA (first half)- Zach Thornton, Mariano Trujillo, Carey Talley, Michael Umaña, Ante Jazic, Michael Lahoud, Blair Gavin, Ben Zemanski, Jorge Flores, Jesús Padilla, Artur Aghasyan.

Chivas USA (second half) - Dan Kennedy, Miguel Sanchez, Carlos Borja, Emilio Viades, Kevin Tangney, Chris Ross (Cesar Zamora 72), Marcelo Saragosa, Alfonso Motagalvan, Gerson Mayén, Justin Braun, Maykel Galindo

Chivas USA departs for Guadalajara Thursday for two games during a week-long stint in Mexico.

*New Zealand has named a 17-player squad that will face Mexico March 3 for a World Cup warmup against Mexico at the Rose Bowl. Only two players are missing from the lineup that beat Bahrain 1-0 in September to qualify for the World Cup: Goalkeeper Mark Paston is injured and defender Ivan Vicelich is suspended.

The roster:
goalkeepers: James Bannatyne (Team Wellington), Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory)

defenders: Andrew Boyens (New York Red Bulls), Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix),
Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix), Tommy Smith (Brentford

midfielders: Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Simon Elliott (San Jose Earthquakes), Michael McGlinchey
(Mortherwell, Scotland), Craig Henderson (Mjallby)

forwards: Rory Fallon (Plymouth Argyle), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough), Shane
Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Chris Wood (West Bromwich Albion)

*The U.S. Women's National Team open its 2010 domestic schedule next month
with a pair of matches against Mexico, the first at 2 p.m. March 28 at Torero Stadium in San Diego (live on Fox Soccer Channel), the second at 6 p.m. March 31 in Salt Lake City (live on ESPN2). Tickets for the game in San Diego go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday. Call (1-800) 745-3000.

*Los Angeles F.C. Chelsea has joined the Women's Premier Soccer League in the wake of their merger with the Los Angeles Rampage and will play their home games at La Canada High School. Former rampage Coach Emamuel "Manny" Martins will head up LAFC Chelsea.