The Chivas USA history is one of ambition and identity in Major League Soccer. Founded as a sister club to Mexico’s CD Guadalajara, the Chivas USA team brought a strong Hispanic influence to MLS. With a dynamic Chivas USA roster, the club aimed to unite fans and showcase top soccer talent in the United States.
Established
2004
City
Carson
League History
2004 – 2014 / Major League Soccer
Team History
2004 – 2014 / Club Deportivo Chivas USA
Nickname
The Goats, Los Rojiblancos (The Red-and-Whites) - Chivas USA team is an American professional soccer club in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2004, the team has become a prominent Major League Soccer (MLS) member and is one of the most successful teams in MLS history.
Chivas USA Origin
Chivas USA’s name comes from its parent club: Club Deportivo Guadalajara—more commonly known as “Chivas” or “Las Chivas”—a Mexican soccer team that was founded over 100 years ago and remains one of Mexico's most famous clubs today.
The nickname "Chiva" translates to "female goat," which reflects not only the logo used by Club Deportivo Guadalajara but also their longstanding tradition of using female goats as mascots at games since they were first established in 1906! ‘chiva' also means strength, courage, and perseverance - values integral to CDG and Chivas USA team.
Sports fans can learn more about this unique nickname when attending matches at Dignity Health Sports Park (formerly StubHub Center), where both teams play their home games each season! Additionally, there are plenty of fan-created tributes available online for those who want to show off their support for either side, whether it be through apparel featuring the Las Chivitas mascot or other memorabilia celebrating this special connection between two great sides from different countries on opposite sides of North America!
Championship
MLS Cups 0
Stadium
2005 – 2014 / StubHub Center
2006 / Harder Stadium
2008, 2010 / Titan Stadium
Owner
2014 / Major League Soccer
2012 - 2014 / Jorge Vergara
2004 - 2012 / Jorge Vergara & Antonio Cué Sánchez-Navarro
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2009
- 2012
- 2014
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Chivas USA Team Formation 2004
Mexican businessman Jorge Vergara took ownership of the struggling Chivas de Guadalajara in 2002 and sought to use the rejuvenated club to establish an international brand. In June 2003, the league announced that the 2003 MLS All-Star Game would be played against Chivas and that Vergara was interested in purchasing an expansion team. The team, named “Chivas USA”, would be ... -
Chivas USA plays its inaugural season in MLS
In 2005: Chivas USA plays its inaugural season in MLS under head coach Thomas Rongen, who is replaced by Javier Ledesma and then by Hans Westerhof. The team finishes last in the Western Conference with a 4–22–6 record -
Bob Bradley takes over as head coach
In 2006: Bob Bradley takes over as head coach and leads Chivas USA to a 10–9–13 record and a playoff berth. The team loses to Houston Dynamo in the conference semifinals. Ante Razov scores 14 goals and becomes the team’s all-time leading scorer -
Chivas US Reached The Semifinals of Western Conference
In 2009: Chivas USA has its best regular season ever with a 13–11–6 record and a fourth straight playoff berth. The team loses to LA Galaxy in the conference semifinals. Preki is named MLS Coach of the Year and Zach Thornton is named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year -
Chivas USA has its worst season ever
In 2012: Chivas USA has its worst season ever with a 7–18–9 record and finishes last in the league. The team scores only 24 goals, the lowest in MLS history. Fraser is fired and replaced by Jose Luis Sanchez Sola, also known as Chelis. Vergara becomes the sole owner of the club after buying out Cue’s shares -
Close Down Operations 2014
On February 20, 2014, Major League Soccer purchased Chivas USA from Vergara. They announced plans to sell to a buyer dedicated to keeping the club in Los Angeles, as well as a plan to rebrand the club in time for the 2015 MLS season. ESPN reported on September 29, 2014, that the club would suspend operations at the end of ...
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Chivas USA History
The Chivas USA history began in 2004 when the club was founded as part of Major League Soccer’s expansion. The Chivas USA team was based in Los Angeles, California, and served as the American counterpart of the famous Mexican club CD Guadalajara. Its creation aimed to connect Hispanic soccer fans in the U.S. with their cultural roots. The team’s nickname, “Chivas,” meaning “Goats,” reflected the proud heritage of its parent club.
In their debut season, the Chivas USA team played home matches at The Home Depot Center (now Dignity Health Sports Park). Although their inaugural campaign was challenging, they steadily improved. By 2006, under coach Bob Bradley, the Chivas USA roster transformed into a competitive force, qualifying for the MLS playoffs for the first time. Players like Ante Razov, Claudio Suárez, and Brad Guzan became fan favorites and helped the team establish its identity in Major League Soccer.
Chivas Achievements
The Chivas USA history also includes several strong seasons between 2006 and 2009, during which the club reached the playoffs four consecutive times. They consistently ranked among the top teams in the Western Conference. The Chivas USA roster showcased emerging talents and experienced internationals who contributed to memorable matches that grew the team’s fan base across Southern California.
However, after 2010, the Chivas USA team faced a series of challenges, including unstable ownership, managerial changes, and a decline in performance. Attendance dropped significantly, and by 2014, financial and organizational issues led to the club’s eventual dissolution. The franchise ceased operations in 2014, marking the end of a distinctive chapter in MLS history.
Despite its closure, the Chivas USA history left a lasting legacy. The club played a key role in expanding the league’s Hispanic fan engagement and developing homegrown players who went on to succeed in MLS and internationally. Many former members of the Chivas USA roster continued to impact American soccer, ensuring the team’s spirit remains part of the league’s evolution.
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Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history