Chivas USA Reportedly Going on “Two-Year Hiatus”

As first reported by ESPN FC, Chivas USA will end operations after the 2014 season and go on a “two-year hiatus”. They have been reportedly been sold to a new owner for $100 million and will sit out for two years, be rebranded in that time, and relaunch for the 2017 season. At this time, it seems like they will come back as a completely new-look team from top to bottom.

It is no secret that Chivas as a product and as a team has struggled. C.D. Guadalajara owner Jorge Vergara purchased the club the expansion team in 2004. He called it Chivas USA in hopes of drawing the Mexican parent club’s fan base within the LA area, but that failed horribly. As a result, the league bought the team from Guadalajara in 2014.

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Since then, they have been looking for potential owners. They haven’t been successful in finding someone to save the team from sitting out a season or two. MLS commissioner Don Garber released a statement to ESPNFC on Monday about Chivas USA.

"“As I stated last week, we have met with multiple potential ownership groups during the last few months and expect to finalize a sale for Chivas USA by the end of the season,” Garber said. “Once we have confirmed a new ownership group, we will discuss the future of the club with the MLS Board of Governors, including whether or not we are going to operate the team in 2015 and beyond.”"

In reality, Chivas USA as we know it will die when their season ends. The players will most likely will find new homes within the league in a yet to be determined way. If and when “Chivas USA” returns, it will be under a new brand and team identity and their Chivas USA will be long forgotten.

When it comes to the players, the league could purchase the contracts of all the current players and allow teams to acquire them through the allocation draft. Another option would be a dispersion draft. However, nothing is official yet.

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While Chivas USA has struggled on the field and sits in the bottom of the standings, they have a few players that other teams would be grateful to acquire. For starters, striker Erick “Cubo” Torres has shined on the field for both Chivas and the Mexican National Team. Goalie Dan Kenedy is another option that teams would consider due to his solid play within the pipes.

With two teams joining in 2015, the league will have 20 teams and their seems the team’s within the conference will shift slightly. Logically, Sporting KC and the Houston Dynamo will move to the Western Conference with NYCFC and Orlando City SC joining the Eastern Conference.

Even though Sacramento Republic’s ownership has expressed interest to bring Chivas USA to town, the league has decided against that idea. However, do not be surprised if Sacremento gets their own team by 2017.

For the few and proud Chivas USA fans, they are entering a sad time. They’ve poured effort, time, and passion into a team just for it to end. For now, we are left wondering what Chivas USA could have become and what it may become in the future under a new team.