MLS News: Chivas USA Makes Moves for 2012

Chivas USA makes moves to improve on their 2011 MLS season with two major moves

Chivas USA and Ante Jazic Agree on New Contract

Chivas USA announced on Monday, December 5, that the club and Canadian defender Ante Jazic have reached an agreement to sign the player back to the Goats’ squad through the 2012 MLS season.

The deal is possible under the Re-Entry Draft process, as the Red and White had originally declined the 2012 contract options on Jazic. Under this process clubs may still sign their own Re-Entry Process-eligible players to new contracts.

In 2011, Jazic, 35, appeared in twenty-eight matches, all as a starter with 2468 minutes with the Goats. The Canadian veteran has called Los Angeles home throughout his MLS career beginning with the LA Galaxy in 2006. In ’09 he was acquired by the Goats and has appeared in 106 matches including 103 starts with 8,888 minutes for his pro career.

Chivas USA Selects Arturo Alvarez in First Stage of Re-Entry Process

On Monday, December 5, Chivas USA selected Salvadorian-American midfielder Arturo Alvarez from Real Salt Lake in Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Process, earlier today. League veteran Alvarez along with two others, were the only players taken in the draft on this Monday.

Alvarez has been offered a bona fide contract by the Red-and-White, after his option was recently declined by his former club, RSL. Alvarez will have the option of accepting or declining the Goats’ offer.

Alvarez, 26, joins Chivas USA after just one season with RSL. He joined the club via the Re-Entry Draft last year from San Jose and started eight games for head coach Jason Kreis, but he was held to just one assist on the year.

He also played a role off the bench during the team’s run in the CONCACAF Champions League, and helped set up a goal for Javier Morales in the first leg of the tournament final against Mexican side and eventual champions Monterrey.

Chivas USA are the fourth team of a nine-year career for Alvarez, who enjoyed two different stints with San Jose and one with FC Dallas before he joined RSL last year.

All other teams in the draft passed on the respective selections, perhaps with eyes fixed on Stage 2 of the process next Monday, Dec. 12, when teams can select remaining available players and begin negotiating with them on a contract for 2012. The 2011 Re-Entry Process will conclude next Monday with Stage 2 via conference call. A list of players available in Stage 2 will be released by Major League Soccer later this week.

For the Re-Entry Process Information and Player Eligibility Rules visit the MLS website

About Chivas USA: Founded in 2004, Los Angeles-based Club Deportivo Chivas USA has achieved remarkable success in seven full seasons in Major League Soccer. From 2006-2009, the Mexican-owned club qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs in four consecutive seasons, to the delight of its passionate supporters. In addition, Chivas USA’s innovative grassroots programs demonstrate its deep commitment to the Southern California community, while the club’s youth teams and Soccer Academies offer unprecedented opportunities to the region’s best young talent. For more information on Chivas USA, please call 1-877-CHIVAS-1 or visit cdchivasusa.com.

Related Article: Chivas Read & Score