Major League Soccer announces Chivas USA to cease operations immediately, new Los Angeles club announcement set for Thursday

Goats Gone: Chivas USA fans showed their true colors one final time Sunday before MLS announced today the team was no more (Photo by Nick Green)

Here’s the press release in full that was just released by MLS:

Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber announced today a new strategy for the Los Angeles market. Effective immediately, Chivas USA will cease operations. On Thursday, Oct. 30, the League will announce a new MLS Los Angeles club and ownership group. The new club will begin play in 2017.

The decision on Chivas USA was made unanimously by the MLS Board of Governors, after a comprehensive review of the League’s strategy for the Los Angeles market. As a result of this decision, the League will play with 20 clubs in the 2015 season.

“As part of our new strategy for Southern California — a major hotbed of soccer participation and fan support — we believe that engaging with a new ownership group which has the resources and local community ties, and a plan for a dedicated soccer-specific stadium, provides us with the best chance for success,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber.

With the addition of Orlando City SC and New York City FC in 2015, MLS will have 20 clubs for the league’s 20th season and will feature a new conference alignment. Most notably, the Houston Dynamo and 2013 MLS Cup Champions Sporting Kansas City will move to the Western Conference, creating two 10-team conferences.

Here’s the reaction from MLS Players Union Executive Director Bob Foose:

“Real change has been needed for many years with respect to the Chivas franchise. Therefore, we are not surprised by today’s announcement.

The cessation of operations presents obvious challenges for the former Chivas players, and we are working with the league to make their transition to other teams as smooth as possible. Fortunately, with two new teams starting league play next
year, there will be more opportunities for these players to continue to showcase their talents in MLS.

We look forward to working with the new franchise when it re-enters MLS. The Los Angeles market can and will successfully support two MLS teams, and we are confident that the new franchise will learn from the mistakes made by Chivas, and will be successful in every way.”

More reaction:

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE #OnceAGoat “@KrisTyrpak: Texas I’ll see you tomorrow! Later LA it’s been fun!”

— Black Army 1850 (@BlackArmy1850) October 27, 2014

So here is step one. @thesoccerdon writes a letter http://t.co/MIGllQO6Nq Now step two, lets get in contact with new owners on Thursday.

— Black Army 1850 (@BlackArmy1850) October 27, 2014