Sueño MLS 'Final Five' meet Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
According to Univision.com the mayor was proud to have the majority of the players be from the greater L.A. area. "It's amazing how much talent we have here!" he said.
The five talented players, ranging in age from 17 to 20, were named Wednesday by Chivas USA and Major League Soccer as participants in a two-week trial with Chivas USA in the final stage of the nationally-televised player search, Sueño MLS: Chivas USA Wants You!. At stake is a spot on Chivas USA's first team or Under-19 roster.
The players, who were chosen from a group of 2,000 aspiring participants players from across the United States and several foreign countries during open tryouts held in mid-February. A week later they beat out 60 players in the semifinals, and last Saturday they shined brightest at The Home Depot Center's world-class soccer stadium, where the "Final 24" took on the Chivas USA Under-19's. They begin their two-week trial Friday, March 9 with a scrimmage at the Bell Gardens Sports Center. From there, goalkeeper Aldo Iñiguez (age 20) will train in the mornings with Chivas USA's 28-man roster, while the four players ages 19 and younger will train in the evenings with the Chivas USA U-19's.
"We are pleased to have found enough talented, young players to warrant a call back of all five. However, this is not the end of the road. Each player will have to show his best during these two weeks if he hopes to earn a spot with Chivas USA," said Chivas USA Director of Soccer Dennis te Kloese. "These players saw against our U-19's last Saturday at The Home Depot Center that the level is high, and the road is not easy. We look forward to seeing the best from each of them during the course of the next two weeks, and to announcing our Sueño MLS winner on March 25."
On Sunday, March 25, one standout will be crowned the winner of Sueño MLS during Univision's popular weekly sports show, República Deportiva, which has been following the month-long quest in a unique "reality show within a show" format. In addition to the title of Sueño MLS champion, and a spot with Chivas USA's full 28-man roster or U-19 team, the winner will also receive adidas equipment and a special family ticket package to Chivas USA's home games at The Home Depot Center.
THE FIVE INVITEES ARE:
Name Age Pos. Hometown Jorge Flores 17 F Anaheim, CA Abraham García 17 M Santa Barbara, CA Aldo Iñiguez 20 GK Guadalajara, MEX Carlos Ruiz 18 M Lawndale, CA Miguel Sánchez 18 M Inglewood, CASCHEDULE OF TWO-WEEK TRIAL FOR SUEÑO MLS FINALISTS:
| Dates | What | Where | Time* | Day(s) |
| March 9 | Trial begins - Chivas USA U-19's scrimmage | Bell Gardens | 7 p.m. | Fri |
| March 12-23 | Chivas USA U-19 practices | Bell Gardens | 7 p.m. | Mon/Wed/Fri |
| Chivas USA first team practices | Carson (HDC) | 10 a.m. | Mon-Fri | |
| March 23 | Chivas USA U-19's scrimmage - Trial ends | Bell Gardens | 7 p.m. | Fri |
| March 25 | Announcement of Sueño MLS Winner | National Television | Sun |
SUEÑO MLS KEY DATES:
March 9-23: Two-week trial with Chivas USA (5 players)
March 25: Announcement of Sueño MLS winner
April 7: MLS 2007 Season begins
