Chivas USA, from a British Point of View (Guest Blogger Simon)

The Crowd=The Passion

Goats v Bulls ,

My name is Simon a 30 something Brit now living here in sunny California ,

I was born in Swindon England where I lived pretty much all my life ,

My team is my home town club Swindon Town F.C. , an unfashionable

Small team from Wiltshire , for 30 years I followed my Robins from the lows of

The old division 4 to the dizzy high of the premiership only to fall from

Grace to the foot of England’s professional leagues ,

On arrival to the states I was keen to check out the local “soccer” for my personal

Views about football and my ultra mentality I could not follow nor shout for galaxy ,

For their golden boy becks and his one time links to Manchester Utd , but for now I shall

Save those views for another time ,

Chivas USA came to my attention and now for the last year the goats have substituted my Robins ,

For my footballing fix.

Soccer as it is known in the US of A is a world away from the one of football in Europe ,

The league system as played almost everywhere in the world is non existent here and I guess ,

To make it marketable as a franchise to an American audience the MLS has a very American format ,

Which means finishing top of the league means little and results of a season meaning less as it then

Boils down to a knock out competition winner take all , ,

This added to the lack of relegation in my opinion has taken a huge part of the game away from the fans in the states

The excitement of pushing for a championship where each game brings you closer glory every goal is celebrated that much harder

Games become more important and the atmosphere intensifies ,

These are times to be savored and times for players and fans to stand up and be counted ,

Chivas u s a find themselves in a play off position as the season looms to its end , the age old cliche

About a season being a marathon and not a sprint could not be more relevant to Chivas USA. And this current campaign

At season start the goats came out all guns blazing and stemmed in to it opposition defeating

All comers and conceding little to no goals ,

This for many chivas fans seem a long time ago and the goats look out of breath and rather than

Sprinting to the finish line are briskly jogging to the end ,

Due to the early good form chivas has remained in the top 5 all season but went two months with out a

Win and could not score for toffee ,

Amidst talks of protest and calls for Preki to be fired a couple of wins eased tension ,

Now with few games left Chivas need to find some form and fast if they hope to lift the MLS cup ,

On Saturday night Chivas were hosts to new york red bulls who can boast Jaun Pablo Angel in the squad ,

Victory for Chivas was much needed to boost moral on and off the team and to cement themselves

In the play off positions ,

The Home Depot Centre seemed empty since last being here for the derby against galaxy where 30 000

Watched from the stands it barely felt like there was 10 ,000 and atmosphere seemed some what subdued

As reality of domestic football returned from the mid week honour of playing in front of 40 000 at the rose bowl ,,against

Parent club Chivas Guadalajara in a hostile atmosphere seemed to have a comedown effect on fans and players alike ,

Missing from the ranks of the ultras were some key characters and there absence was felt , if anything

This felt like a relegation match rather than one seeing its team pushing for honours ,

Despite its missing members the Ultras once again turned up in number and the beat of the drum

And the now familiar songs where their but seemed like the Chivas classico hangover still had its effects ,

For some reason a marching band was on hand to compete with the noise usually made from section 101 ,

This is good at half time or before the game not during football match save that for high school ,

So the game itself saw another dull first half a full 20 mins played before the goats had a shot on goal ,

And the central defence of New York dealt with ease every cross to the box ,

There was no real sense of urgency on or off the field and it was not till early in the second half

That the game came to life ,

Sacha Kljestan scoring a goal to give Chivas the lead , it was not a goal I witnessed as at the time

Was leading a rendition of 7 nation army in the stands ,

For a goal long time coming and due to importance of gaining all 3 points the goal celebration was muted

And only I noticed we had scored for seeing the ball being picked out of the net by new yorks goalie ,

Back home we would be climbing the walls going ballistic foaming at the mouths in celebration of such

A goal or as we say in England we went f,,,ing spastic,

Also due to footballing mojo superstitions we would have seen 7 nation army as an omen and sang it non stop

Till we scored again ,

Chivas then stepped it up a notch and did have chances to slay the bulls but never took them

Preki rather than search for the killer blow put on an extra defender to secure the win ,this

Would prove to be costly as moments later in the 82 angel who had not done much all game sloted

Home and equalizer which left every one shaking their heads ,

Still the ultras try to suck the ball in the net with the chant of goal …. score a goal , ringing from 101 ,

As Chivas look for a winner ,

Deep deep in injury time all prayers are answered as lifeline of the last min penalty is awarded

For a clumsy challenge in the box ,

After 93 mins finaly the exitment is there as ref consulte lines man new york players hassle officials

And Chivas player push and shove their opponents ,

After an eternity it seemed the ref finally points to the spot and Kljestan steps up the entire h d c is on their

Feet everyone awaiting to explode in celebration that only a last minute winner from the spot can bring

The scene is set in perfection New Yorks keeper is only feet away as his mother profession and her inexpensive

Prices are thrown insultingly in his direction lest go Kljestion is now the chant surely if he scores he will

Run to the ultras and celebrate as one and together tast the extassy of victory ,

However Sacha Kljestan failed to read the script after staring at the sky for devine inspiration he steps forward ,

Does some funky dance move or something I am not sure of it purpose in all honestly , and it looked pretty dumb

Even more so once having sent the keeper in the wrong direction the ball astonishingly trickled

Past the post as a deafening silence of unearthly nature descended over the stadium ,

Sacha looked devastated in the stands fans fell to there knees and many hung heads in hands ,

As disbelief kicked in ,

The ref ended the game shortly after and pretty most every one went home feeling like a loss and not a draw

Had been witnessed ,

The only other notable highlight of the night was the Chivagirls half time outfits which were much

More revealing and skimpy and in my opinion much more welcome than some marching band ,

As for the goats due to favorable results elsewhere remain in prime position for a play off spot

But need to find something if they hope to reward the fans especially the union ultras for their

Continued unconditional support ,

_________________
LIBERTA PER GLI ULTRAS ,
NON MOLLARE MAI …….:::::::::
ESTA LA BANDA LOCA

All is right again in the world of Chivas USA!

Ultras Singing in the Hot Sun!

Crowd

It was a hot one today as a small crowd avoided Church and the NFL games to brave the midday heat! It was a small crowd, maybe 9 or 10 thousand but very passionate to say the least. I took my friend and former Galaxy season ticket holder, Gene Kato and his 2 little boys to his first Chivas USA game. We had a bit of a tailgate, some nice sausage and egg burritos cooked up by Hugo in lot 11 at HDC. Gene was stoked to see the passion of Chivas USA fans firsthand as we sat in section 101. He loved it, enjoyed that all of the other fans and Union Ultra’s were so nice and welcoming to him and his boys. He commented that he loved the drums and chants and was impressed by the fact that Julio, Rey, Commandante and the rest were siting in the burning sun, still chanting and drumming….I tell you what, those guys are hardcore…it was just too damn hot…so hot in fact that the east side seats kept emptying when the sun would hit them, with the occupants standing in the shade up top.
Game

I was pleased as pudding to see Thornton back in goal where he belongs, I hate to say it but that Parker kid has got to go! Thornton was looking good, but not as good as Justin Braun and Sacha..they both looked great and had a few really good shots on goal. Chivas USA pretty much dominated the game, and we got a nice treat at the end when Sacha smoked a pentalty kick past New England Goalie Matt Reis ….I wonder if the Ultras chanting “Reis Swallows”, had anything to do with it….he gave us a nice dirty look…..and it made me feel great!

Well….it was a short blog cause its Sunday and I am gonna watch the Packers vs Bears NFL game now….now if the Packers win my day will be complete! Enjoy the movie!

Union Ultra-ACB Super Classico, Damn its Hot and Parker has to go!!

Union Ultra vs Angel City Brigade Super Classico

Union Ultra's and ACB at the L.A. Supporters Super Classico

Well it had been months in the planning and almost never happened thanks to the Evil Empire=A.E.G. who seams to do everything they can to give ALL supporters groups the shaft! The UU vs ACB friendly soccer match was all set to go, until 2 DAYS before the match, A.E.G. pulled the plug and told us we couldn’t use the practice field that we had arranged months ago! Well, with some hard work by Pibe from Union Ultras and POX from the ACB a field was arranged at Stevenson Park in Carson. It was a lovely although very HOT day, with fires raging all over L.A. County and smoke filling the air. Both teams arrived ready to play, we had “real” neutral ref’s (M.L.S. should get a clue from this). There was plenty of goodwill on both sides, everyone had lots of respect for the other groups. The game was actually quite good, with Jorge from Union Ultras getting man of the match for his 2 goals! It was a great day of good sportsmanship and soccer, despite A.E.G.. The Union Ultras went onto win the match 3-1. I have a feeling this is the start of a great tradition between our 2 supporters groups. I think next year we can make it even better, with some good planning, food and family stuff for the kids. I also want to give thanks to the Chivas U.S.A front office for the shirts….Galaxy F.O., are you listening?

The Crowd

Union Ultra's in section 118

My god, it was hot! We were seated in section 118 and it was just strange to not be in section 101, the Ultra’s started of Loud and Proud, everyone was dripping sweat! It was just TOO DAMN HOT, and after playing in the park and several of the guys eating very little during the day I was pretty concerned with the possibility of people dropping from the heat. I mean these guys were giving it all, but some of them just got beat by the elements and had to chill a bit. Usually everyone likes to drink beer, but this game, everyone just wanted cold water!

Beckham and Parker

Well, I have given him several games, but LANCE PARKER HAS TO GO! I don’t know how he became and M.L.S. Goal Keeper, but from what I have seen, he sucks! If someone shoots the ball in one corner, he goes to the other corner! He looks like a uncoordinated newborn baby calf, trying to learn how to use its legs! Maybe he is a nice kid, but he needs some time in the USL to get some more playing time and experience. Well at least he can say that David Beckham scored a goal against him!

Maybe the Chivas USA players need to show some love to the supporters groups. ALL of the supporters groups cheered they’re asses off all game, sweating and almost passing out from the heat, supporting the Chivas USA players during the most important game of the year….oh and not to mention, paying $25 bucks a ticket to the Galaxy for the privilege of doing so. NOT A SINGLE CHIVAS USA PLAYER CAME OVER TO THANK THE SUPPORTERS…..WEAK!!!!!!

Final Thoughts

Maybe the M.L.S. should consider raising the salary cap and paying some players what they are worth, and maybe being able to attract players worth the money. I know for a fact that a Goal Keeper who played in the M.L.S. last year would love to play for the M.L.S. this year and rumored to have been contacted very recently by a team that I dearly love, but does not want to sign a 3 year commitment at 40k! Why would an athlete sign a 3 year deal at poverty wages, and if he is successful, he is sold for millions of dollars, none of which he see’s?

O.K. enough ranting…..here is the movie for the week!

If you have any thoughts, post a comment, but please no stupid shit….

Chivas USA get its “Mojo” back, Sacha plays like a mad man and “Me vs ChivaFighter” at halftime!

I must admit, I was getting depressed when I would think about the goats. The downhill slide just didn’t seem like it was going to end. We got a win last weekend, but was it a fluke? Could the Goats drive on and play like it was 3 months ago and they were on top of the world? Could Chivas USA find the Mojo it lost sometime in June? Well my wife Martha was determined to do all she can so she got a “Chivas USA” Gnome and fed it “candles” for good luck, insisting that it would work, much as her “Laker Gnome” worked this past NBA season.

Chivas USA Gnome

Well the Gnome must have worked cause Chivas USA had Mojo to spare (but lets not go giving that stuff away) . Sacha was playing like a mad man, maybe trying to show Bob Bradley that he indeed does belong on the U.S. National Team for South Africa! The Goats showed something had not seen in several games…HEART!!! They played with Heart and Soul for an entire 90 mins. Several goats getting injured and Ante Jazic leaving the game after clocking his noggin with another player. I saw my boy Carey Talley take a wicked fast shot on goal right into his ribs and go down hard…but he sucked it up and drove on, (I later observed after the game that he wears rib protectors like American Football Quarterbacks do)!

Oh another sign that Chivas USA has got its Mojo back, was the players came over to the crowd to thank them, not forced, fake ass thanks….REAL GRATITUDE from the Players…the fans felt the love from them and gave it right back, it was like a giant Mojo exchange!

The crowd of just over 15k sounded like 25k! Everyone was into the game, yelling, blowing horns and cheering for the Goats. I saw quite a few first time fans sitting in section 101 with the Union Ultras! It felt good to be back in Home Depot Center, I felt ALIVE!! There is just no experience like sitting in section 101, with the horns, streamers, drums, confetti and general good cheers, it is simply AWESOME and if you have never done it, give it a try…its an experience you wont forget!

Me vs Chivafighter!!

I got picked to compete with 2 other fans at halftime to try and kick 3 penalty kicks against Chivafighter. I was nervous as the 1 guy I was going against was a seriously serious soccer player (there was also some women, but I was not worried about her).

We were brought onto the field and stood at the south goal, I hoisted my Union Ultra’s scarf and my brothers and sisters in section 101 chanted “Lets go Cognac”!! It was awesome, my adrenaline was pumping as I waited to take the shot on goal. Now understand I am a 280 lb man who has never played soccer, and I was wearing bright yellow CROCS!

I lined up, looked to the right side of the goal, ever so slightly and approcahed the ball, striking it as hard as I could with the yellow rubber Croc covered foot. I thought about not falling on my ass in front of 15k people, I thought about how stupid and funny it would look if the fat guy in a red striped jersey and yellow Crocs had to get carried of the field. The ball sailed low and to the left, my “fake out” of the guy in a muscled out goat suit had worked….GOOOOLLLLLLL!!!!! I hoisted my Union Ultra scarf and ranaround the goal like I had just scored the winning shot at the World Cup! Well, my rival contestant nailed his shot, and the lady missed so we were tied! I shanked the next shot and hurt my foot, but the other guy and lady missed as well! It was down to the 3rd and final shot, with all my might I faked left, kicked right..GOOOOLLLLLL!!!!!! I was the MAN! Chivafighter was my BITCH!!!!…Well the other “soccer player” missed again and I ended up winning!….What a great feeling and the support from the Union Ultra’s was amazing, I can feel what it must be like for the players to see and hear them in section 101! I won a nice jersey which I gave to the Ultra’s to raffle off and raise a bit of cash to offset expenses.

What a great game, a great crowd and a great time….it was a long month off from home games, things got a bit strange, but I think the stars are all aligned now and things are good in the world of Chivas USA!

So, we won…now what?

Whew, the losing streak comes to an end! Have the Goats gotten some Mojo or just a bit of luck? The Front office has made some moves including bringing a young stud in from Guadalajara ….lets wait and see what this weekends game looks like before we judge them…I remain cautiously optimistic.

On another note, check out this great photo essay about the US Mens Team fans trip to Azteca stadium for the US-Mexico game….for your own opinion about the host crowd.

What can I say, has Chivas USA lost its Mojo?

Wow, something like 325 min without a goal in MLS play for Chivas USA! I wish I could say the same for Lance Parker! It seams like yesterday that the season started and Chivas USA was destroying everyone, I was sure we were going to be in the playoff’s, and maybe the Championship game!….That was then, this is now!..I watched the team embarrass themselves in a 4-0 loss to the Rapids tonight. They played without heart, they played without soul. What happened to the Chivas USA that we knew a few months ago, where the players would run like the wind, take shots, score and celebrate with the fans. I think Chivas USA might have lost its “Mojo” , its like when Dr Evil stole the Mojo from Austin Powers, I think the L.A. Galaxy stole Chivas USA’s Mojo.

Make Me Proud to Look Like This Chivas USA Players!

Something has to change within the team, Marsch has to lead in the locker room, the front office needs to get us some players of caliber and Preki needs to start hitting Craigslist for job offers….

The players have started to ignore the fans after the games, not coming over to thank the supporters groups and fans who give it they’re all during the game….maybe that’s a reason they have not been playing well….Karma?

Anyway, lets get it together Chivas USA….its time to stop embarrassing yourselves (Bornstein excepted) ….and embarrassing us….

It keeps getting worse!

I knew I was nervous for a reason when Dan
Kennedy had surgery and has been unable to play….cause that leaves Lance Parker as back up,,,,and well…now Nick Green is reporting in his 100 percent soccer blog that Zach Thornton is out for 3-4 weeks after an injury suffered in the MLS all star game…what can I say…..we lose Esky to Galaxy, now our rock solid goal keeper is out, and Lance is in….shit!

here is the link to Nicks article
http://www.insidesocal.com/soccer/2009/08/chivas-usas-thornton-out-up-to.htm

I am going to Disney World!

Lets hope that Chivas USA can pull out a win this week….I will be missing the game cause I will be chilling with Mickey in Florida, then chilling on that private island in the Bahamas!

I will be back blogging Aug 3rd!

Let go Chivas USA

I cant believe I used to get paid to do that at night!...

Galaxy vs AYSO U17 Team wearing Chivas USA gear

I was excited as all hell for the Chivas USA vs Galaxy Super Classico game July 11th at Home Depot Center. Its the game of all games if you are a L.A. area Soccer fan.

The Only Fireworks at HDC one the field were these!

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Does anyone know the Heimlich maneuver, cause Chivas USA keeps choking!

I know that Chivas USA has had a rough month, losing its last several games including one to a team from the USL, the Charleston Battery. They also choked the Superliga games but you know what…I was “ok” with it because Sasha and Jonathan Bornstien where playing for the U.S. National team and making me proud. They were back for the Galaxy game and that was all that counted! Chivas USA was going to pull out its first victory in quite sometime. There were 23,000 screaming fans filling HDC and the vibe was fantastic! There was some great tailgating with the Union Ultras and I met several first time fans who were very excited to see the Goats kick some Galaxy butt!

We entered HDC loud and proud to support our team! Well I guess that nobody told they players on Chivas USA that it was an important game. They came out onto the field and proceeded to suck right from the start. I should have known it when I saw former Chivas USA favorite Aleko Eskendarian amped up for the game in his new Galaxy uniform….Hey front office, what the hell were you thinking? Is there some secret trade we dont know about?..That was a stupid move, trading Esky for what…a bit of “cap money” and a future consideration?…

The Galaxy Goalie (not even the starter Rickets) could have pitched a tent, started a BBQ and had a picnic his goal area was safe…I think I saw him lay down and take a nap do to the extreme boredom he was suffering from!

None of the Chivas USA players decided to play, they just kind of ran around and kicked at the ball a bit. I have this to say “IF YOU HAVE A SHOT ON GOAL….. TAKE IT”!!!!!!! We would rather see you take a shot on goal and miss, then just pass the ball to someone else so Landon Donovan can steal it! Sasha if you are so worried about being a big time soccer star and getting hurt in an MLS game….sit on the bench and let some young hungry kid (like you used to be) play. Maybe when you cut off your long “soccer hair” you cut off your Mojo too!

My message to the players is this…The Chivas USA fans are the best around, not like most of the Galaxy fans (LARS and ACB excepted) who text, talk on cell phones and just kind of sit around during games. Show the Fans at the Chivas USA games who are standing up, cheering and clapping all game FOR YOU, that you are worthy of them!

Enough said, Check out my latest epic rant in my message to Chivas USA Players!

The Daily Breeze Article on Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog crackdown

Here is the article from the Daily Breeze today about the AEG funded crackdown on the dangerous and threatening “Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog” vendors outside of Home Depot Center…I swear every day I hate A.E.G. more!

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_12745246