MLS Chivas USA Owner Jorge Vergara yesterday said that he is “returning the struggling Major League Soccer franchise to its founding principles by reemphasizing the team's Mexican roots and reestablishing its ties to Vergara's Mexican league team, Chivas de Guadalajara,” according to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. TIMES. Vergara said, "This is the return of the prodigal son. From the start the plan was to make Chivas USA the son of Chivas de Guadalajara. Along the way it got away from that, and the clubs suffered a divorce in philosophy and structure. We are going to re-create Chivas USA as an extension of Chivas." Vergara after buying out former partners Antonio and Lorenzo Cue “cleaned out the front office and fired coach Robin Fraser and much of his staff.” He also “named Jose Luis Real, director of the development program for Chivas de Guadalajara, to oversee soccer operations for the MLS club.” Vergara said that he will “immediately reopen talks with USC over a proposed soccer-specific stadium to be built in Exposition Park.” Chivas USA has shared the Home Depot Center with the Galaxy since its inception. MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, "The whole idea when this club was launched was to try to have a club that would be specifically targeting the massive Hispanic population in this country, but more specifically in Southern California. The execution wasn't right and you've got to be smart enough and brave enough to admit when you don't get things right” (L.A. TIMES, 11/14).
