Chivatown Post: July 18, 2011

A few news items to pass along to you:

First, and most exciting, Chivas USA have two 2011 All-Stars! Big congratulations to Heath Pearce and Nick LaBrocca, who were selected by MLS All-Star team coach Hans Backe and his staff. Perhaps Saturday's scoreless draw against New York was the perfect arena to show off their (ok, at least Pearce's) talents to Backe? No matter how he got to the decision, Chivas fans will take it. These two deserve it, as we know, and it is nice to see them getting some recognition. Now, the next question: will either of them see any action against Manchester United?

Also, a little late, but LaBrocca was interviewed on MLS' ExtraTime Radio podcast from July 14. The podcast is available through the MLS website or through iTunes (where I get it). If you don't normally listen, be aware: there is a lot of yelling among a couple of the hosts, but you can skip ahead to LaBrocca's segment if you wish.

On the Copa America front, congratulations go out to Alejandro Moreno and Venezuela for their upset over Chile in the quarterfinals. They won 2-1 yesterday in Argentina, and Moreno came on late in the game to help seal it for la vinotinto. This is their first ever semifinal berth in the Copa America, and they take on Paraguay Wednesday for a slot in the finals. Congrats and good luck to Ale and his compatriots!

For those of you itching to see which players will become Chivas in this transfer window, MLS-Rumors.net is reporting interest from the club in French-born Algerian striker Mohamed Dahmane. The 29-year old has bounced around France, Belgium and apparently Turkey, if his mess of an English-language wikipedia page is to be believed. The story links to a French-language story which apparently claims he's already had his physical for Chivas. If that is the case, then he should be announced soon, but obviously with transfer rumors, don't think anything is close to certain unless a player's being introduced by the club.

Also, Chivas midfielder Gerson Mayen, who is an academy product but has not seen much playing time so far this season, has been loaned out to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the NASL. He reportedly asked for the loan in order to get some playing time, which isn't surprising coming on the heels of his national team affiliation switch to El Salvador. It is difficult to say if this is the last Chivas will see of Mayen or not, but we wish him good luck in his loan spell.

Finally, I'll be covering the World Football Challenge game between Real Madrid and Chivas de Guadalajara on Wednesday at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. You probably already knew this, but contrary to what Sportscenter was broadcasting Saturday night, Chivas USA is not playing this game, Chivas of Guadalajara is. But if you have questions, comments, things you want to read about concerning the game, let me know. I'll be writing about it on here and on the SB Nation Mexican league site FMF State of Mind, so please check it out!