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I have had the pleasure of writing for Total-MLS for three seasons now, but I would imagine if you looked back at my previous season previews they would look very similar. I probably copy and pasted the phrase “Thank the Lord, Dan Kennedy is still with the team!” on several occasions. As for the rest of the roster it always seemed to be a case of being hopeful for some relatively unknown, untested new recruits and hoping the players returning could build on their potential. “Work in progress” and “rebuilding/transitional year” were probably mentioned a lot as well. So, as the Chivas USA brand comes to a close, the terms rebuilding and transitional will not be applicable depending on which way you look at it. This is it. The era of Chivas USA is almost over. It is time to go out with a bang.
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Wikipedia is a great way of double checking MLS statistics that you think sound too bad to be true. For example, how many years has it been since Chivas USA made the playoffs? Unfortunately I was right, and in the last four years Chivas USA have “failed to qualify” for the playoffs. Sadly looking back, in this the final year of The Goats, it seems like they failed to qualify at pretty much everything in most people’s eyes. One qualification they did earn though was attracting a hardcore fan base that became the heart and soul of the club. For this reason, I want to preview the season ahead with their thoughts.
Like I said, Wikipedia or any soccer website is a great resource for all the facts, figures and career history of the current and new additions to the Chivas USA roster. I won’t bore you with that information. I posted on the Union Ultras forum regarding the group’s expectations and thoughts on the season ahead. This is what they said:
“Looking forward to life without Vergara” – Cisco
“I expect a team with heart that would give 100% home and away, I also expect a team that is competitive in all lines (defense, midfield, forward) I'm excited to see the guy we drafted McNamara and also Rosales… I also expect some flashes of brilliance from Bofo”. – Jose Salcedo
“I expect to finish strong, make the playoffs and show everyone that Chivas USA is a competitive team! Looking forward to see Cubo, Kennedy, Bocanegra…the new players have shown they want to be part of the team. Fondy has momentum going, I think he will be a beast. As for new ownership, I expect to see more Marketing for the team.” – Javier Escalera Jr.
“We have a great group of guys that could take our team to levels that we have never reached and I see them as players that have a reason to fight to establish a legacy for this team. On paper we have one of the better teams in the league.” – Thomas Trujillo
“My expectations for this team are for them to be in the playoffs. I'm looking forward to see what the new front office is going to do to better this club. We need more marketing and need someone to show our games on TV.” – Eric Ramirez
“I see Chivas USA making it big and reaching playoffs one last time. I believe the players on the pitch are connected with the fans this year and understand that this is Chivas USA's last season, we all know we deserve to exit the league with a big bang and shutting everyone’s mouths.” – Ralph Muñoz
“I expect our players to have career years and nothing less, because after all, it is their own career on the line! We will be contenders and furthermore, the officiating (referee), will no longer be predisposed. CHIVAS AND STRIPES FOREVER!!!” – Ricardo Escutia
From the replies I received (not just the ones quoted above) expectations are high but most feel the club is in good shape on the field. And I agree. Dan Kennedy and his newly formed backline have the experience of Bocanegra and Tony Lochhead with the fresh faces of the youthful Andrew Jean-Baptiste and Eriq Zavaleta. In midfield we have acquired Argentinians Mauro Rosales and Agustin Pelletieri to join the likes of Avila, Alvarez and Minda. The rookie Thomas McNamara is also highly rated. Moving towards the frontline and it remains upbeat. “Cubo” Torres returns for the beginning of the season along with the legend that is “Bofo.” Luke Moore, an English premier league veteran is also part of a roster that has been shook up significantly.
One name that did crop up on the list of players who are unfortunately no longer with the club was Jorge Villafaña. A lot of players were shipped out after last year and rightly so, but it seems Jorge was one player that we will all miss this year. Knowing that he could have been with the team for its final year after so many years at the club is one part of this preview that will remain negative.
The roster that the official Chivas USA website lists for the upcoming season has significantly changed over that of last season. It is obvious that the club has changed its direction and the type of player it wishes to recruit also. We asked for change and we got it. The name and colors of the club might be on their way out, but the fans won’t be. This year we might have just got a team that is worthy of watching but one that will be remembered for the right reasons.
Clearly, I am optimistic and why not? Negativity became a popular theme over the last few years which led to all of us demanding change. Change is now upon us and while there is still a huge amount of uncertainty, it is widely accepted that we might as well go out on a high. Regardless of results, this season will be one to remember. Whether we win anything or not, we will always remember the final year of Chivas USA. We owe it to ourselves to enjoy it and make it most of it and qualify.
(image courtesy of mlssoccer.com)
