Chivas USA’s Eric Ávila, Giovani Casillas and Gabriel Farfán joined Chivas Guadalajara’s training session this morning as reinforcement players for the Mexican side. Guadalajara arrived in Los Angeles on Friday as part of a 10-day preseason trip to prepare Mexico’s First Division Apertura Tournament.

READ: Chivas Guadalajara’s Visit

The US-based players received the called-up after yesterday’s training session, and without a doubt accepted this unique opportunity in their career. Except for Casillas, who is considered one of Chivas Guadalajara’s young prospects, today marked the first time that these players shared the field with the Mexican side. Farfán, though, was not taken back by their techniques, as the midfielder spent two years in Mexico before being reunited with his brother Michael in Major League Soccer’s 2011 season.

“It’s a different style of play,” explained Farfán about the two different systems. “In MLS it’s a more physical game whereas here a lot of the guys are more technically gifted. It was a great experience. Any time you get to measure yourself against some of the best players in the world it is a good opportunity.”

The session took place at Field 6 of The Home Depot Center and incorporated soccer exercises of great intensity in the midfield. The objective of the today’s meeting was to establish the style of play and dynamism expected by Technical Director Benjamín Galindo for this year’s Liga MX tournament.

“It was very exciting, very technical and ran with a lot of professionalism,” described Ávila on today’s training. “They are in their preseason so they are obviously working hard. Everyone was very serious in trying to get work done.”

READ: Chivas USA Players Remember Past Preseason.

As any passionate kid for the game of soccer, Ávila, 25, always dreamed of the chance to play with his childhood heroes, and today, that dream was fulfilled.

“The whole experience was actually amazing. Just to be with the First Team from Mexico like that. I always looked up to [these players] since I was a little kid. Being around them and wearing their jersey meant a lot,” said Ávila.

Once Sunday’s training concluded, the three players were grateful to the two clubs and the Red-and-White institution for this tremendous opportunity.

“I think it’s great that Chivas USA and Chivas Guadalajara are in contact. Just knowing that if you perform well out here you could get a chance like this to train with Chivas Guadalajara. It’s an amazing feeling and gives you a lot of motivation,” concluded Farfán.

Red-and-White Prep for North Carolina Trip

Chivas USA completed a light Sunday morning training session at The Home Depot Center’s Field 6 as part of their preparation for Wednesday’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Fourth-Round match in North Carolina against the Carolina RailHawks.

The morning session started off with a team jog around the pitch and gravitated to completing additional leg work by walking over closely positioned hurdles. The players also completed a variation of movements in the hurdles station, as they side-stepped the obstacles under the bar. The Goats incorporated light touches on the ball for added warm-ups in pairs from distances of about 10 yards.

Afterwards, to keep the practice light and fun, the team competed in a game of hand soccer, which incorporated many team handball similarities. The objective of the activity aimed to put the ball into the back of the net of a mini-goal. The Rojiblancos then spent the bulk of Sunday’s training sharpening their tactical work with an 11-versus-11 scrimmage that ran nearly the full length of the pitch. The team then completed supplemental conditioning with a team jog and stretches before being dismissed for the rest of the day ahead of Monday’s trip to North Carolina.

U-23s Record their First-ever Win in Shutout Performance

Chivas USA’s U-23 team recorded their first-ever win in the newly-formed So Cal Premier League with a 6-0 rout over FC Expat Saturday evening at Mount San Antonio College. The Academy Goats were again led by Chris Gonzalez’s stellar performance as the forward knocked in three goals in the shutout victory bringing his season total to five.

The Red-and-White scored their first in the 26th minute through González, and went into play with a man advantage beginning five minutes before halftime. Two of scores came on assists from attacking midfielder José Gómez, who got into the scoring act as well with two goals of his own and who said the game was dominated from the beginning.

READ: Chivas USA’s U-23s kick off season

“Once they got the red card it was basically us controlling the whole game,” said Gomez, a Santa Ana, Calif. native who recently graduated from Creighton University. “We controlled the tempo and possession, so it was a good victory. I think I did well. I try not to lose the ball and just try to find my teammates in good spots and get them into position to score.”

Gomez’s first goal came in the second half on the end of a cross as he made his cut inside the box when he was able to get into position behind the defense for his header. Later, Gomez showed his ball-handling skills when he worked the ball on the right wing around two defenders and beat the goalkeeper inside the left post with a strike.

“We started off a little bit slow early in the first half, but shortly after we started getting together and finding the spots to break through in the game,” said U-23 Head Coach Sammy Rivas. “We are seeing in the last two games that [Gónzalez] and [Gómez] are really starting to link up together on the field.”