What Does the Sell of Chivas USA Mean for MLS?

Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

As our own Aaron Rench previously reported, Major League Soccer has purchased Chivas USA from previous owner Jorge Vergara, and his wife Angelica Fuentes in an attempt to re-brand the franchise. Last season Chivas were in the middle of various scandals among the ownership; among them was the claim of discrimination towards non Mexican players and coaches.

Last May a report from the Associated Press indicated that two former youth coaches were filing a discrimination lawsuit claiming unlawful termination due to not being Mexican or Latino. The basis of Mexican eligibility reflects that of once parent club Chivas Guadalajara who have a policy of “Mexican only” players and coaches. The suit alleged that those employees who did not speak Spanish would be fired. According to Daniel Clichman and Theotoros Chronopoulos, who filed the suit, Vergara proclaimed “if you don’t speak Spanish you can go work for the Galaxy, unless you speak Chinese which is not even a language.” This scandal was further investigated by HBO’s Real Sports which further advanced the claim of discrimination.

Chivas did respond to the allegations of misconduct by claiming “our true nationality is mankind.” The entire discrimination fiasco could have been prevented though, and that falls on MLS.  This outstanding lawsuit that led to the demise of the Chivas USA brand has been “resolved”, according to MLS commissioner Don Garber. Garber would not comment on the logistics of the resolution though.

So, what does this mean for Chivas USA and the rest of MLS? Chivas will be re-branded and will hopefully be able to put this disastrous chapter away. The new owner will be able to bring the other Los Angeles team into a bright spot of its own; they will not have to live in the shadows of Guadalajara anymore. Chivas, or Los Angeles SC/FC will have its own stadium which will further advance the rivalry of “Super Classico” with the Galaxy. Each team will be truly independent of each other, and be able to focus solely on their operations on the pitch (which is obviously more important for Chivas than the Galaxy.)

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Major League Soccer can also benefit from their own mistake. MLS could have another suitable team in LA, which was the farthest from the truth in the past. Don Garber will be given credit for the person that helped Chivas become a formidable MLS franchise due to his leadership during the discrimination ordeal as well. No longer would there be three-fourths empty stadiums, a new stadium could be packed with 20,000 screaming fans for a team that was formerly an embarrassment to the league.