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Jazic: Chivas USA Is A “Blue Collar” Team
Ahead of the 2009 season, new signing Ante Jazic has called Chivas USA a "blue collar" club with hard-working players.
Mar 9, 2009 2:41:06 AM
Ante Jazic recently made the short transfer down the hall from the Los Angeles Galaxy to the Chivas USA locker room. He, along with a third round and fourth round draft picks, arrived in return for a second round draft pick in the 2009 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.
He's wasted little time settling into his new squad, playing consistently at left back for Chivas USA in preseason. After the preseason match against the Chicago Fire, which Chivas lost 2-1, he discussed the differing vibes between the clubs.
“I had a great time at the Galaxy but it's just a different atmosphere in the locker room [here],” he said. “Basically it's like a blue collar team, a lot of guys just bring their lunch pails and work hard at work, whereas in the Galaxy it's more ritzy.
“I've got lots of friends there, but I'm happy here with Chivas with the great locker room and the good mix between veteran leadership and young players. I'm looking forward to the season.”
Chivas USA have proven themselves as a disciplined, hard-working team, but may struggle with creativity in the upcoming season. Live-wire winger Francisco Mendoza departed for Chivas de Guadalajara in the offseason and Rafael Wicky retired, leaving little creative depth behind Sacha Kljestan.
After the match, Kljestan, who looked stiff and jaded coming back from an ankle injury, spoke of how the team could compensate. He singled out Maykel Galindo, who came off the bench for 20 minutes and won the penalty that Kljestan converted for Chivas' lone goal.
“Whoever goes on the field we've got to try to move the ball forward and we've got to find a way to do things around the goal,” he said. “The speed of Galindo off the bench really helps us so hopefully he can step up and take a big role.”
Another player who might play a role for the team's attack is rookie Michael Lahoud. The Wake Forest product was selected ninth overall in the 2009 SuperDraft, and has been used mainly on the flanks during preseason.
“He's got to keep his eyes open and his ears open and listen to the veterans and try to get a little smarter on the field and be quicker with the ball,” advised Kljestan. “He's very athletic and very fast, so he needs to use that to his advantage.”
Chivas USA will face the 2008 Western Conference champions, the Houston Dynamo, as their final preseason match on Friday. Then, on March 21, the Goats will kick off the 2009 MLS season against the Colorado Rapids in the Home Depot Center.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
He's wasted little time settling into his new squad, playing consistently at left back for Chivas USA in preseason. After the preseason match against the Chicago Fire, which Chivas lost 2-1, he discussed the differing vibes between the clubs.
“I had a great time at the Galaxy but it's just a different atmosphere in the locker room [here],” he said. “Basically it's like a blue collar team, a lot of guys just bring their lunch pails and work hard at work, whereas in the Galaxy it's more ritzy.
“I've got lots of friends there, but I'm happy here with Chivas with the great locker room and the good mix between veteran leadership and young players. I'm looking forward to the season.”
Chivas USA have proven themselves as a disciplined, hard-working team, but may struggle with creativity in the upcoming season. Live-wire winger Francisco Mendoza departed for Chivas de Guadalajara in the offseason and Rafael Wicky retired, leaving little creative depth behind Sacha Kljestan.
After the match, Kljestan, who looked stiff and jaded coming back from an ankle injury, spoke of how the team could compensate. He singled out Maykel Galindo, who came off the bench for 20 minutes and won the penalty that Kljestan converted for Chivas' lone goal.
“Whoever goes on the field we've got to try to move the ball forward and we've got to find a way to do things around the goal,” he said. “The speed of Galindo off the bench really helps us so hopefully he can step up and take a big role.”
Another player who might play a role for the team's attack is rookie Michael Lahoud. The Wake Forest product was selected ninth overall in the 2009 SuperDraft, and has been used mainly on the flanks during preseason.
“He's got to keep his eyes open and his ears open and listen to the veterans and try to get a little smarter on the field and be quicker with the ball,” advised Kljestan. “He's very athletic and very fast, so he needs to use that to his advantage.”
Chivas USA will face the 2008 Western Conference champions, the Houston Dynamo, as their final preseason match on Friday. Then, on March 21, the Goats will kick off the 2009 MLS season against the Colorado Rapids in the Home Depot Center.
Zac Lee Rigg, Goal.com
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