Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Marcelo Saragosa...Game against San Diego Boca FC..






Marcelo Saragosa #5

Monday, February 22, 2010

Chivas sweep training doubleheader Red-and-White defeat San Diego Boca FC in two scrimmages


Marcelo Saragosa...Chivas USA won two training matches on Saturday by a combined score of 8-1. (Miranda/Chivas)

CARSON, Calif. -- Chivas USA earned a pair of victories over San Diego Boca FC of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in two shortened scrimmage matches played today at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Playing 60 minute games, the Red-and-White won by 5-1 and 3-0 scores, with Mariano Trujillo earning four assists in the first match. The games were the last for Chivas USA before traveling to Phoenix, Arizona next week, where the team will face MLS competition for the first time in 2010.

In the first game, San Diego Boca took the lead in minute 12 against the run of play, when a quick counter attack caught the Red-and-White off guard. Chivas struck back quickly, however, tying the game when defender Carlos Borja headed in a Trujillo corner kick in the 22nd minute. A nearly identical goal gave Chivas USA the lead five minutes later, with another Trujillo corner headed in by Marcelo Saragosa. Jorge Flores scored the next goal after a great passing sequence by Ante Jazic and Blair Gavin. Trujillo earned his third and fourth assists on goals by Carey Talley and Maykel Galindo.

Despite fielding a new group of 11 players in the second game, Chivas USA picked up where it left off, taking a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute. Chukwudi Chijindu intercepted a pass at the top of the box, dribbled in alone on the keeper, and scored to give the Red-and-White the lead. Artur Aghasyan scored the next goal, with assists to Chris Ross and Chijindu, and the day's scoring was completed in minute 49 when trialist Armando Ochoa finished a Kevin Tangney cross.

The Red-and-White have Sunday off before traveling to Phoenix on Monday, where the team will do a week of training. While in Arizona, Chivas USA will face the Kansas City Wizards on Wednesday and the Columbus Crew on Saturday, the first MLS competition of the preseason for the Red-and-White. The regular season for Chivas USA kicks off on Friday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. PT at The Home Depot Center. Season seats are on sale starting at just $10 per game; for more information, or to purchase tickets, visit cdchivasusa.com or call 1-877-CHIVAS-1.

Chivas USA 5:1 San Diego Boca
Preseason Scrimmage (60 Minutes)
February 20, 2010 - The Home Depot Center, Field 6

Goals:

SDB - 12'
CHV - Carlos Borja (Mariano Trujillo) 22'
CHV - Marcelo Saragosa (Trujillo) 27
CHV - Jorge Flores (Ante Jazic, Blair Gavin) 36'
CHV - Carey Talley (Trujillo) 38'
CHV - Maykel Galindo (Trujillo) 58'

Chivas USA lineup - Dan Kennedy, Ante Jazic, Carlos Borja, Emilio Viades, Carey Talley, Jorge Flores, Marcelo Saragosa, Blair Gavin, Mariano Trujillo, Justin Braun, Maykel Galindo

Chivas USA 3:0 San Diego Boca
Preseason Scrimmage (60 Minutes)
February 20, 2010 - The Home Depot Center, Field 6

Goals:

CHV - Chukwudi Chijindu (unassisted) 12'
CHV - Artur Aghasyan (Chris Ross, Chijindu) 25'
CHV - Armando Ochoa (Kevin Tangney) 49'

Chivas USA lineup - Jon Conway (Jose Manuel Miranda, 31), Kevin Tangney, Claudio Suárez, Yamith Cuesta, Miguel Sanchez, Amaury Nuñez (Jesus Ochoa 31), Ben Zemanski, Chris Ross, Cesar Zamora, Chukwudi Chijindu (Armando Ochoa 45), Artur Aghasyan

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Friday, February 12, 2010

Saragosa filling void in Chivas midfield Brazilian veteran emerging as leader in unit following offseason departures


Marcelo Saragosa figures to be a key cog in the Chivas USA midfield in 2010. (J. Miranda/Getty)

CARSON, Calif. -- As Chivas USA continue their 2010 preseason preparations, a few of the club's older players have stepped up to help lead the group of newcomers and trialists. One of those older players is Marcelo Saragosa, who has become a leader in the center of the Red-and-White midfield over the course of the last few weeks.

Saragosa joined Chivas USA last July after a trade with FC Dallas, making eight appearances for the Red-and-White last year. Now, with a gaping hole left in the midfield by the departure of Paulo Nagamura to Mexican Primera Division side Tigres UANL and the retirement of Jesse Marsch, Saragosa looks to be next in line to lead Chivas USA's midfield.

"We're very lucky to have guys like Marcelo," said Chivas USA head coach Martín Vásquez. "We're going to support him when it comes to being the experienced player. I think [players like him] understand their responsibility, but they have to be the first ones to lead by example."

Getting over the losses of Nagamura and Marsch won't be easy. Chivas USA started 29 of 30 games last year with one or the other, or both, in the center midfield position. But if anyone can ease the transition, it's Saragosa, who boasts six years of MLS experience.

"I'm alone in the midfield right now, but it's a great opportunity for me to work hard with Martín and earn my place," said Saragosa. "I'm going to pursue whatever Martín wants me to do with great heart and a lot of passion. Whether attacking or defending, I'll be ready to do what is asked of me."

Returning to join Saragosa in the midfield are Sacha Kljestan, Michael Lahoud and Jesús Padilla, each of whom had a hand in Chivas USA's playoff run last season.

"I've worked a lot with Sacha, and played a few games with Lahoud," said Saragosa. "They're both great players and easy to play with. It's easy for us all to adapt to each other."

Saragosa, who was born in Campo Grande, Brazil, is enjoying the new system at Chivas USA and feels that the team is on a good track.

"Martín has a different mentality than Preki did," said Saragosa. "He has a mentality that's similar to the Brazilian style -- lots of heart, lots of passion, and the whole team working together like a family. It's changed a lot around here."

At the start of 2010, Saragosa is focused on fitting into the midfield and doing his best to lead by example, but he has other objectives for the upcoming season as well. Saragosa won an MLS championship with the LA Galaxy in 2005 and would like to repeat that feat.

"I always have personal goals," he said. "But the big one is to help my team win the championship."

Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

http://chivas.usa.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20100212&content_id=8068908&vkey=news_cdc&fext=.jsp&team=t120