Last night news broke that Chivas USA could be on its last legs. Rumours surfaced that the club was about to be sold to either Carlos Slim or back to MLS and in both cases the future did not look good for the Goats. They are of course still rumours, however in either scenario there is not a lot of hope that Slim or MLS want to see Chivas USA have a future…well not as "Chivas USA anyway. However, even before all the drama and conjecture fans were not happy.
Despite the initial swell of positivity after some decent results at the beginning of the season, the underlying problems at Chivas USA still exist and they have not gone unnoticed by the supporters. We were promised a lot of things but essentially we were promised a bright future for Chivas USA. So as poor results continue for Chivas USA, the Union Ultras have released an open letter to the ownership demanding answers. On the field performance is one thing, but the future of this club lies in the hands of owners who have let their fans down on a number of off the field issues.
The following letter was written to demand answers and it was written before any of these rumours began. A reply might not come because of the lack of interest from the owners, or because they might not be the owners for much longer. Nevertheless, an answer to an incredibly loyal support is deserved.
Chivas USA Always Loyal Always Faithful Supporters
May 17, 2013
Mr. and Mrs. Vergara
Owners of Club Deportivo Chivas USA
18400 S. Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746
Esteemed Mr. and Mrs. Vergara:
Through means of this letter, we, the Union Ultras, would like to call on our executives and on Mr. and Mrs. Vergara.
When you, Mr. Vergara, took the reins with a full grip once buying out Chivas Usa, the first thing you said repetitively was, “We wanted to make Chivas USA the prodigal son of Chivas de Guadalajara, and they made them into the cursed son of Chivas de Guadalajara.” That same day, you said you would take the reins of this team, in respect to the sporting and marketing areas. Furthermore, you mentioned that you would bring the team closer to the community. Another of the many things you said, and I say this with emphasis, was that Chivas USA was to stay in Los Angeles. Your textual words were, “Starting tomorrow, we begin working on getting Chivas USA its own stadium, its own home.” When you were ask where you would live, your response was, “Los Angeles will become my second home, and I will be on top of the team in any of its necessities.”
Mr. and Mrs. Vergara, we would like to inform through this public letter that almost nothing that you, Jorge, promised us would happen has become a reality. Believe us; we understand that this is starting from scratch, as you had mentioned before.
In the marketing area, little promotion for the team exists, as demonstrated in the first game of the season. It was a humiliating embarrassment seeing less than 4000 people in the stadium show up for the game. It was a slap on the face for us that put our heart and soul in attempting to bring people to the game. This was a result of the lack of planning and promoting of our fixtures from your front office.
Many cutbacks were apparent in the season opener, starting with the few traditions that we had, such as the ChivaGirls and the “Jerseys off our Backs.” More than fifty percent of the personnel were either fired or laid off, including important employees such as Mr. Francisco, Mr. Luis, and Mr. Rodrigo, examples of the people your regime rid themselves of that knew the most about MLS marketing. The few that have remained don’t have a plan of action and not because they don’t want to have one, it’s because their ideas are not approved of since we lack resources to carry out their ideas and intentions.
If there is one good thing that can be said about this club in the last few years is its support to the community. This is something which does not occur anymore due to the several changes that were made without thought of the consequences that would come about once the decisions were made.
In the sporting area, everything started very well. We have a great coach in El Chelis, and a group of players willing to die for him on the pitch, but desire does not guarantee winning results. We need, at the minimum, 3 players of higher quality and talent to push the team forward. This, however, will not function properly without the go-ahead of our coach. If we as a team keep making the same mistakes which you frequently criticized of the previous administration, we will continue being the laughingstock of the MLS.
Mr. and Mrs. Vergara, we as the Union Ultras, the exclusive supporters of Chivas USA, people who love and live this team day by day and game by game without exception, are here to support our team and to show that we will NEVER turn our backs on the team. But most importantly, we are the ones who invest time and money on our team. We attentively and respectfully demand answers and explanations as to what is the problem. I think we deserve to know at least a layout of your plan of action. We also offer in an attentive manner our support for whatever will benefit our team. Something has to be done before we lose our team or the fans we still have. We hope to receive a reply as soon as possible.
Attentively, The Union Ultras
In Spanish:
Mayo 17, 2013
Sr. y Sra. Vergara
Dueños del Club Deportivo Chivas USA
18400 S. Avalon Blvd, Carson, CA 90746
Distinguidos Sr. y Sra. Vergara:
Por medio de la presente queremos hacer un llamado a nuestra Directiva Al Señor y la Señora Vergara, de parte de la afición de Chivas USA Unión Ultras
Cuando usted Señor Vergara tomo las riendas de este equipo al 100% lo primero que dijo de manera reiterativa fue “Queríamos hacer de Chivas USA el hijo prodigo de Chivas México y lo convirtieron en un el hijo mal nacido de Chivas”. Ese mismo día Usted mismo mencionaba que iba a tomar las riendas de este equipo en lo que respecta a lo deportivo y la mercadotecnia además menciono que acercaría este equipo más a la comunidad. Otra de las cosas que usted dijo y recalco fue que Chivas USA se queda en Los Ángeles en palabras textuales dijo “desde mañana empezamos a trabajar para que Chivas USA tenga su propio estadio su propia casa” . Cuando se le pregunto qué en donde viviría usted su respuesta fue que Los Angeles seria su segunda casa y que estaría mas al pendiente de el club.
Señor y Señora Vergara quiero informarles por medio de esta carta pública que casi nada de lo que usted Jorge prometió se ha cumplido y créame que entendemos que estamos comenzando de -0 como usted lo menciono
En lo de mercadotecnia existe muy poca promoción para el equipo el primer partido fue una humillacion y vergüenza ver a menos de 4000 personas en el estadio fue una cachetada a todos lo que nos partimos el alma por traer gente al estadio, esto sucedió por la falta de planeación por la falta de promoción de los partidos. Se hicieron muchos recortes empezando por la única tradición que teníamos como las chiva girls y jerseys off our back, más del 50% del personal de Chivas USA fue recortado, se fue gente importante como el señor Francisco, Luis y Rodrigo por mencionar solo unos gente que ya entendía mas el Mercado de la MLS. Los pocos que quedaron no tienen ni un plan de trabajo y ojo no por que no quieran si no porque no se los aprueban porque no hay recursos para llevarlos a cabo.
Si de algo bueno se podía hablar de este club en los últimos años era su apoyo a la comunidad cosa que ya sucede muy poco debido a tantos cambios sin pensar en las consecuencias de lo que esto traería. En lo deportivo todo comenzó muy bien tenemos un gran entrenador en El Chelis y un grupo de jugadores dispuesto a morir en la cancha pero con las ganas no se ganan partidos necesitamos mínimo 3 jugadores mas de calidad para sacar esto adelante el apoyo a nuestro técnico de su parte es esencial para que esto funcione. Se siguen cometiendo los mismos errores que usted tanto critico de la administración pasada seguimos siendo el hazme reír de esta liga.
Señor y Señora Vergara nosotros Los Unión Ultras afición de Chivas USA los que amamos y vivimos el día a día de esta franquicia y que cada partido sin falta estamos presentes para apoyar a nuestro equipo y nunca le damos la espalda y lo más importante los que invertimos tiempo y dinero, le exigimos de la manera más atenta y con respeto que nos dé respuestas y explicaciones creemos que nos merecemos saber cual es su plan de trabajo. Tambien le ofrecemos de la manera mas atenta nuestro apoyo para cualquier cosa que sea por el bien de nuestro Club.
Se tiene que hacer algo ya antes que perdamos a nuestro equipo y aficion
Esperamos su respuesta a la brevedad posible
Atentamente: . La Afición de Chivas USA
(image courtesy of USA Today Sports Images)
