With a 9-0 aggregate victory over Barbados, the United States Men’s National Team earned passage to the Semifinal Round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The team won 8-0 in Carson at The Home Depot Center on June 15, and captured a 1-0 victory on Sunday in Barbados.

Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan was in net for both wins, his first two World Cup qualifiers, and his 8th and 9th appearances with the United States. Red-and-White midfielder Sacha Kljestan played in the second leg in Barbados, going the full match and almost scoring a goal in the 18th minute of the game.

Both players will be back in training this week for Chivas USA.

Head Coach Preki, goalscorer Justin Braun, goalkeeper Brad Guzan, defenders Bobby Burling and Jonathan Bornstein, and midfielder Jesse Marsch react to the 2-0 victory over Chicago last Thursday night at the Home Depot Center.

On a steamy Thursday night at The Home Depot Center, Chivas USA earned a 2-0 win over Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire, to leap into a second-place tie in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference.
Chivas USA’s goals were both scored in the first half, by U.S. Olympic hopeful Sacha Kljestan (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and rookie FW Justin Braun (Salt Lake City). Ante Razov picked up two assists.
The raucous crowd of 24,143, Chivas USA’s largest so far of 2008, included vocal support from the club’s fan groups Legión 1908 and Union Ultras, as well as the Huntington Park High School band.
Chivas USA played the entire second half with 10 men after the 46+-minute expulsion of midfielder Paulo Nagamura, who received his second yellow card of the game at the end of the first half.
Thursday’s game marked the second appearance in Southern California of the Chicago Fire’s Mexican Designated Player Cuauhtémoc Blanco, who formerly played with Club América of Mexico’s First Division.
Captain Claudio Suárez, who faced Blanco countless times in the Mexican First Division, made his return to Chivas’ starting lineup from injury. The 39-year-old started, playing 90 minutes.
Swiss midfielder Raphaël Wicky made his first start for Chivas USA since being acquired in the offseason. The World Cup and Euro 2004 veteran played 45 minutes and created several scoring chances.
Chivas USA Head Coach Preki, on Thursday’s match: “A very good result for us. I thought for the most part of the game we were pretty good. … I thought we weren’t sharp in the beginning, we gave up a chance or two but also we had a chance or two as well. After that I thought we were pretty decent, we were good with the ball, we were moving the ball pretty good, we created some chances and I just thought we were going to score. Once we scored, the second came.”
Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan and midfielder Sacha Kljestan have been called in to the U.S. National Team ahead of its upcoming qualifier in Barbados. The two are scheduled to fly to Miami on Friday.
The Red-and-White remain at The Home Depot Center next weekend, as they look to avenge an earlier loss to the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, June 28. Don’t miss the special Disney halftime moment!
For tickets or more information on Chivas USA, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1, visit http://www.cdchivasusa.com/ or contact Chivas USA Communications.

Chivas USA has released a block of tickets for tonight’s match against Cuauhtémoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire, costing just $20. Fans who want to take advantage should arrive early at The Home Depot Center box office before the 7.30 p.m. kickoff. Don’t miss your chance to see one of the biggest matches of the season!

This week’s ‘Somos Chivas USA’ show on KAZA Azteca 54 will be broadcast this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. PT. Hosted by Mara Almada and Antonio Rosique, this Saturday’s show will feature highlights, post-game analysis, and reports on the atmosphere at The Home Depot Center from the Chicago Fire match on Thursday. Don’t miss it!

This Thursday, Chivas USA hosts the Chicago Fire at The Home Depot Center in Carson, with the match kicking off at 7:30 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

Here’s a video preview of the match – busca abajo para una previa en español.

Video from the post-game of Chivas USA’s Saturday night match against Real Salt Lake. Check back soon for a preview of this Thursday’s matchup with Cuauhtemoc Blanco and the Chicago Fire!

For tickets to Thursday’s match, call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit the team’s official website at www.cdchivasusa.com!

A few weeks ago, Chivas USA striker Maykel Galindo and Head Coach Preki stayed after practice to battle in a shooting contest on goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Galindo, Chivas USA’s leading scorer in 2007 (though currently out up to eight weeks after sports hernia surgery), went up against Preki, one of the greatest MLS players in the history of the league, and the video below documents the event. Enjoy!