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We found this gem in this article..
Vergara took his brand north of the border in 2005 with the founding of Chivas USA, a Major League Soccer team. He immediately made a number of blunders, Daurio said. He underestimated the quality of the U.S. league, populating his team with Mexican second-stringers who eked out only four wins that year.
And the team marketed itself almost exclusively to Mexican immigrants. Stadium announcements were first in Spanish, then English. And the team built a replica of downtown Guadalajara, complete with mariachis, in its "Chivatown" fan zone at Home Depot Center, located just outside Los Angeles in Carson.
"They pretty much alienated every segment of the market except that one," Daurio said.
The team has since hired better and more diverse players and expanded its marketing in English. It made the playoffs in 2007.
Eventually, all of Vergara's teams, including Costa Rica and China, will have only local citizens as players, using the original Chivas formula to foster national pride, he said. It's all part of the Omnilife self-help philosophy, he added.
"The point is to generate, like in Costa Rica and in Mexico a feeling that this is not a limitation," he said. "The intention is to inspire."
This would present an interesting concept. It seems that most of CD Chivas USA's long term planning seems focused on building up the sport and team from the grassroots. From "Sueno MLS" to the plethora of youth academies around Los Angeles and beyond to the plans for their own stadium Chivas appear serious about putting down roots in the United States, in Los Angeles in particular.
Maybe they should rebrand then, since I don't see Saprissa being called Chivas Costa Rica.
Deportivo Rojiblancos de Los Angeles?
Wow that would be awsome, I like the idea of fielding local talent exclusively. The U.S. version of Athletico Bilbao.
All US players is a nice idea, but would really limit the talent pool.
The real need is a new venue. Gotta stop being the second team in Home Depot.
The motivation, however, is a philosophy of localism that I admire.
Wow, I posted a blog on the very subject of developing an all-american team this morning something that has been on my mind recently and never suspected Chivas would be the one. I said it could be KC, Richmond or Carolina.
We do need an all american team and we also need stronger limits against foreign players in MLS. Oh and also less expansion please, to dilute the talent.
If chivas were to do this they'd sell merchandise and have fans all over.
I used to be a Club America fan. If Chivas USA does this in LA I would be wearing a red stripped jersey in seating with the supporter at the home depot center!
This move would grant them the ability to trade 8 international slots to other teams, granting the overall league greater depth
I am a Galaxy fan since year one but if they do that I'm moving over to the red and white striped side of LA.
Sorry but this is too good an idea. Look what Guadalajara has done in Mexico, their players have been the backbone of the Mexican National Team. In fact around here people call Chivas Mexicos 2nd national team. Look at Saprissa, same thing.
Not only would this disperse the 8 international slots throughout the league bringing in more international players to other teams but it would also build up the US player pool in a way that Chivas understands how to do from the grassroots level.
Imagine if Chivas find more Jorge Flores and Jonathon Bornstein types and imagine them becoming a big part of the US National Team.
I never thought I'd say this but ARRRRIBBBAAAA CHIVAS!
I think this is a good idea. I think that they need to do whatever they need to do to be a competitive team. There success in 07 was great for the league. I would love to see them play in a much smaller setting so hopefully they can get a stadium deal soon.
The more I think about this the more I like it. I'm not sure this team could be competitive, but want to find out. Chivas has always confused me, I always thought they would send young Mexican players to US. This would make sense out of Chivas USA for me.
This is a horrible idea. I don't see how replacing absent Mexican fans with jingoist US fans is going to draw enough to the park, either. The best clubs in England, Spain and Italy have no need for this kind of gimmick. MLS should resist it as well.
I don't see how replacing absent Mexican fans with jingoist US fans
Really, you don't see how there would be more American nationalists in America than Mexican nationalists in America?
I hope that Chivas does this and gives Seattle a few of those international slots. I'll take Ashrat, Dong, maybe a Parguayan, Khalifan.
Chivas doesn't need gimmicks. They need rebranding. American-only alienates Latin fans...the "Chivas" name alienates Mexicans who live in SoCal, but support other clubs in the old country.
I think this team needs to move too. San Diego, Phoenix, or even the outer 'burbs of LA or Orange County.
They should use the prefix "CD" and the city name. ie "CDLA"
I was at first hesitant to support a Chivas team... but man, this team does EVERYTHING right... they go on the Fox Footbal Fone-in, they developed Kljestan into a young US star, the Flores kid is the BEST story in the MLS. I know that Becks comming to LA took their thunder, but if they win, the crowd will come. More US names would help offset the "mexican-club" image. An all US team would be great--for a Columbus or KC. Chivas doing it would be wild, but don't forget there's many Mexican-Americans which would qualify as either.
It would be interesting to see but as a Galaxy fan I still can't get over something Vergara said back in '05 when he first brought Chivas USA to the HDC. He said his ultimate goal was to put the Galaxy out of business. I have been a Galaxy fan since day one and have been going to games since '98, my heart will always be with the Galaxy, I don't care what Chivas USA is trying to do, if I see red and white stipes, I am going to root against you. You put on the USA crest and I will root for you on the national side.
The two teams are now looking much like their Mexican counterparts Chivas USA being the team of "the people" and the Galaxy being the rich superclub filled with foreigners. Before Chivas USA was a twinkle in Vergara's eye the Galaxy were the team of the people, we had hard working players like Cobi Jones and Maricio Cienfuegos. you can't erase that history. I sill feel the rivalry vs DC United, and San Jose/Houston. The manufactured SuperClassico doesn't yet have enough history, but I still love it when the Galaxy win it!