I'm sure some of us have seen this story by now: http://aol.sportingnews.com/soccer/...-team-with-funny-name-rebuilds-from-ground-up For Morales and the club, however, it’s part of a long-term vision. It has been a rough six-year start, but Chivas USA (3-3-3 this season) still intends to be a club with nationwide reach. To get there, it plans to adopt the polarizing policy of its Guadalajara parent -- homegrown players only. “We will play only with South California players," Morales said. "It will be the real thing -- homegrown players through development rather than hiring stars. “Sooner or later, 11 of our players will be from Southern California. We will have to invest a lot of money in development, but if we can achieve that the sense of belonging to the people of Southern California will be huge. They will be supporting their neighbor.” Morales is working hard to connect with sponsors and local soccer clubs, and Chivas USA is running an outdoor ad campaign for the first time. But that’s just the beginning. Once it moves into its own stadium, wins an MLS title with a homegrown roster and forms the foundation of the U.S. national team just as its Guadalajara counterpart does for Mexico, the name Chivas USA will mean something. Then, Morales said, people will understand authenticity. Then, Chivas will be both L.A.’s team and America’s team. “We want to build a nationwide team, like Chivas de Guadalajara, maybe like the New York Yankees,” he said. “If we can win championships and we have a real spirit in the team, we can have fans from all over the place. They will find in Chivas USA a real sense of this belonging and heritage. "We will have a lot of advantages to other teams, in terms of the duality of Mexico and the U.S. and the possibility of having only American players. If we do it correctly, we will have fans throughout the country.” The rebranders, relocaters, and haters are having a field day with it in another thread, but I'd like to know what we the actual fans of this team think about this new "long-term vision"? Me personally, I think it's a bold idea. But I look forward to seeing what it can produce.
I say we're striking a good balance right now, no need to limit ourselves. Talented drafted players, talented foreigners and talented players from the youth system are working for us. Let them all mix and and build the team based on the coaches needs. If we end up fielding 11 socal players players then so be it, but let it happen organically, don't make it a mandate. It's also a bit of a slap in the face to our current roster. Sounds like another Guadalajara transplant putting his foot in his mouth. Maybe something was lost in translation but the rest of his quotes are garbage. How about they work on finding a few more fans in Los Angeles first. Real talk.
i know i might be in the minority on this one, and while it may seem laughable, i think an all "so-cal" team would be pretty interesting. ii just dont see how such a small base could be competitive while other teams are picking up players from all over the world.
When Chivas USA began, I honestly thaought that that is what was going to happen. We were going to bring in players from our youth system and make a team from that. It was obviously going to take time to make it happen, and now it is more clear than ever that it is going to happen. It doesn't matter what country you are from or where your parents came from, you will be on the team if you come up through the youth ranks and EARN your right to be there. I think that a team like that CAN be competitive! I really look forward to that!
In speaking with Jose Domene, his vision was a lot more clearer and articulate than what I read from hte spokesman. Also, mentioned was the more unified relationship with US Soccer. THis is fundamental for the country and the club.
All we are saying is win us the Cup All we are saying is win us the Cup All we are saying is win us the Cup The time is now YES it would be a great idea a sick ass concept to play only with so-cal players specially if they are coming out of the academy but I think we need better people in the academy / the development / scouts why do I say these because we have had a few prospects that are just that prospects and have not seen them growth to the first team Not sure if the first team is connected with the academy on the development of the young player to move to the first team Guys like Zamora and de la fuente are some examples, now looks like Cris Cortez can help the first team hope he gets that continuity and eventually be in the stating 11. If we are going to do these we need Hans Besterhoff back he is the best man that can help us find what we need or what we are looking for building a stile of play since the youth system and carry that on. Hans- did a great job with Chivas no doubt about that, he can do it here One question….are we willing to wait. be patient ? it takes time
The biggest problem with our academy is lack of playing time, allowing the players to develop the right way. After the U-18's, they really don't have anywhere else to go. Thats why most of them go abroad to Mexico, and elsewhere to find more playing time. The academy players that we sign, aren't really ready to compete in MLS. We are jumping over a stepping stone and are expecting them to contribute right after the U-18's. What our academy lacks is a PDL team. This will allow potential players to develop more, and keep them with Chivas USA. We started the Reserve league this year, which is good, but that's still not enough playing time. We need players to come from the U-18's, to the PDL, to the Reserves, to the First team. 1st team Reserves PDL team U-18 U-16 U-13
*sigh*... Just another reason we're the joke of the MLS. We suck as it is... Let's make it even harder on ourselves to win. Yeah that sounds like a great idea.
I love the idea ..but like I mention we still need that 1 or 2 players that exceed the expectations and of curse make big bucks $$$$.. I fell sorry for those Chiva USA fans that want a team like the GALAXY ( big names big salaries) and still show up to a game only paying $10 bucks huuuuuum guess what… if we do go all So-cal be ready for a few thought seasons ( I’m not doubting that will be a competitive team with So-Cal players) but it will take time 2-3 years at least… that’s why I’m practicing my sad face all ready jajajaja
I think if this works out, we might see a team that better reflects the population of SoCal and surrounding areas (which we kind of already do). This also means that we'll have a few more Latinos than your average MLS team. I think this would make some Chivas USA fans happier. Now, we need to just do it. In the meantime, we need Gerson on the pitch. Now, if we can just get a proper stadium for these kids to play in.
Why limit the team to onlly SOCAL players. Chivas should look to NOCal also. Nine of the U17 players in the World Cup in Mexico are from California. Two of the scorers are from the area. Estiban Rodriquez and Alejandro Guido. Rodriguez is from Palmdale Guido is from Chula Vista. An all California team is do able. Look at the some of the pro now Carlos Bocanegra, Landon Donavon,Kevin Hartman and Frankie Hejuk. We have 36 million people in this state we can have an All Callifornia team. I also think we need a residental academy. BTW to qualify as a Californian the rule should be you are eligible for instate college tuition. I am a Galaxy fan but this is a great idea and Chivas USA should go for it.
i dont care if its all so cal or all california. Eventually our youth academies will produce (like 5-9 years from now) the majority of our team and still be contenders for the cup annually. and because most of our academies ar in so call then thats where most of the talent will come from. We need a youth academy in tijuana and other parts of baja california.
Danno - dude, you've been around awhile so you must know that Galaxy fans that re-hash old, dead, tired topics on our board must then buy lunch for all of the CUSA regular posters. (Don't worry, it's like 8 people) If you fail to comply we'll have to start pulling up old, dead, tired Galaxy board topics in your honor.
