League
One win, three points, and two spots up in MLS Power Rankings. After kicking off in the last spot, Chivas USA have moved up to the 17th spot in the Rankings.
The Goats were able to move up after a comeback 3-1 win over FC Dallas on Sunday, the most goals scored by the Red-and-White since last season’s 3-3 draw at New England Revolution on August 29. The win also permitted Chivas to move up to third place in the Western Conference, just below Vancouver Whitecaps FC and LA Galaxy. Chivas will look to continue moving up as they prepare to face the Galaxy on Sunday in the first SuperClásico of the season.
Click here to see where other teams stand. What’s your take on the standings? Agree or Disagree?
Just three days from Opening Match, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber will present his March to Soccer address and will be available to media via live stream on the MLS YouTube channel and Google+ Hangout on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 3 pm PT.
The commissioner's March to Soccer address will include the presentation of new league initiatives for 2013 and a Q&A with media members, according to a release from the league.
Watch Commissioner Garber’s address below starting at 3pm PT:
With Jersey Week kicking-off on Feb. 25, Major League Soccer, Chivas USA and Futbol Artist Network (FAN) give you the opportunity to win your own Red-and-White jersey!
Here’s how you can participate. From Thursday, Feb. 14-19, send a tweet that includes the following four elements:
· The link to an original photo of your artwork, available on public domain (ex: Instagram, Photobucket, Flickr, etc.)
· A brief description of how your artwork is connected to your favorite MLS Club
· The hashtags: #TrueColors and the @handle of your club
· Lastly, make sure your account is following @MLS
The winner will be notified on Twitter by direct message from @MLS on Feb. 22, and announced online thereafter.
What are you waiting for? Send your artwork now! Click here for official contest rules.
Check out the first submission for Chivas USA:
Chivas USA
Title: We're Chivas USA
Artist Name: Betirri Bengtson
Artist Location: Houston, TX
Twitter: @artistbetirri
Description: This painting represents a team that is unified by the iconic red & white stripes, which can be interpreted in every fan's own way.
Chivas USA’s Ante Jazic and Dan Kennedy have been named finalists to MLS’ Year End Awards in their own respective categories. Defender Jazic is nominated for the Xbox Individual Fair Play Award while Dan Kennedy is nominated for Goalkeeper of the Year.
The Individual Fair Play award is issued using the criteria of fouls committed, cards received, games & minutes played, as well as an evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior. In 2012, Jazic played a total of 27 games (all starts) received no yellow or red cards and committed eight fouls. Jazic is nominated for the award along with Chicago Fire’s Logan Pause and former Goat Heath Pearce of the New York Red Bulls. The winner of the award will be announced Monday, November 19.
In a challenging season for the Goats, Kennedy managed to make 109 saves in 32 games played, ending the year second to Columbus Crew ‘keeper Andy Gruenebaum with 125 saves. Kennedy had been nominated in ten occasions to MLS Save of the Week, being named Player of the Week in the sixth week. The Yorba Linda, Calif. native is nominated for the league award along with Michael Gspurning of Seattle Sounders and Jimmy Nielsen of Sporting Kansas City. The winner of Goalkeeper of the Year will be announced on Wednesday, November 28.
If Kennedy takes the award, it will be the second time a Chivas USA ‘keeper earns the honor; former goalkeeper Zach Thornton took the award in the 2009 season after ending the year with 83 saves and 0.87 goals against average.
Take a look at one of Kennedy’s 109 saves of the 2012 season:
MLS Cup Playoffs are in full swing! In the Western Conference, San Jose took a 1-nil lead over LA Galaxy in the first leg; the two will meet once again Wednesday at 8 p.m. PT (ESPN2). Real Salt Lake and Seattle were scoreless in the first match; watch the match live on MLS Live this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Meanwhile in the Eastern Conference, D.C. United and New York will look to advance to the Conference Final Wednesday night after the two came to a 1-1 in leg 1 (5 p.m. PT/ NBC Sports Network). Houston Dynamo took a 2-0 win over Sporting KC last Sunday; leg 2 will be disputed Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT (MLS Live).
Below are some of the picks made by the front office and locker room:
Juan Agudelo - Forward
San Jose - LA: San Jose win Sporting KC – Houston: Sporting win in PK’s
Real Salt Lake - Seattle: Salt Lake 2-1 D.C. United – New York: NY win in PK’s
Simon Elliott - Technical Director
San Jose - LA: San Jose win Sporting KC – Houston: Houston win
Real Salt Lake - Seattle: Seattle win D.C. United – New York: NY win
Hector Perez - Assistant Equipment Manager
San Jose - LA: San Jose win Sporting KC – Houston: Houston win
Real Salt Lake - Seattle: Salt Lake win D.C. United – New York: NY win
CDChivasUSA.com
San Jose - LA: San Jose win 3-2 Sporting KC – Houston: Houston win
Real Salt Lake - Seattle: Salt Lake win D.C. United – New York: NY win
Who ya got?
The 2012 season was one of Dan Kennedy’s stellar years, standing out in every match played. The Red-and-White ‘keeper closed the season second in league standings with 109 saves. Kennedy started in 32 games this year before a knee injury cut his season short.
Kennedy’s save nominated for MLS Save of the Year is for one against Marvin Chavez. In the 68th minute of the match, Honduran Marvin Chavez took a left-footed shot from the right side of the box; Kennedy, with his cat-like reflexes, was able to push the ball out for a corner kick. This save also earned him a nomination to MLS Save of the Week .
Re-live Kennedy’s save and make sure to cast your vote for MLS Save of the Year by clicking here. Poll closes Saturday, Nov. 17:
Thinking about what to get your Chivas USA-loving family member for the holidays? Then consider this: How about a game-worn Dan Kennedy or Juan Agudelo autographed jersey OR a team autographed Chivas USA Pink training shirt? To top it off, it’s all for a good cause! Part of the proceeds in MLS W.O.R.K.S’ auction will be destined to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the National Breast Cancer Foundation in the U.S.
But hurry, auction ends Thursday, November 15 at 5:00 p.m. PT. What are you waiting for? Start bidding! Click here to view all items and bid!