When Los Angeles native Jaime Frias joined Chivas Guadalajara’s U-17 team after playing in Chivas USA’s Youth Academy, the now 20-year-old defender arrived as a quiet and shy youngster looking to continue on a path to make his dream a reality. Born in Whittier, Calif., Frias continued to develop under the tutelage of Guadalajara’s renowned youth program in Verde Valle and by the time he was crowned champion as part of Chivas’ U-20 team last year, he was wearing the captain’s arm band for then-Head Coach Marco Fabian’s squad.

VIDEO: Get to know Jaime Frias.

Now Frias returns home to his native SoCal and to Chivas USA, via loan from their brother club, under the guidance of Jose Luis Real, who was the director of sporting development and was at the helm of the youth program during his stint with the Mexican club, as well as Fabian his former academy coach. And the defender credits the two coaches for bringing out the leader in him.

“Speaking with ‘Güero’ [Real] and Marco [Fabian] they taught me that you always have to be a leader on the field, that you always have to communicate,” said Frias. “I had the opportunity to serve as captain of the U-20 and that just gives you even more leadership.”

Under the tutelage and development of Fabian and Real, Frias describes himself as an intense competitor who is vocal on the pitch. The new member of the Red-and-White, who can play at both center back or left back, says it has always been his dream to play for Chivas, and that he can’t ask for anything more than being able to do it so close to his family, which will make it even more special.

READ: Chivas USA acquire Jaime Frias

Chivas USA are set to battle Western Conference rival Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on July 28, and Frias will be ready if called upon by Real to make his professional debut on the road. For now, however, the new arrival will continue to show what he can bring to the club and learn from the number of experienced players on the squad.

“I’ve worked with Real since I arrived in Guadalajara and he has always helped me and supported me all around,” added Frias. “For that, I have all the confidence in him. I’m also confident that with players such as Carlos [Bocanegra], [Erick] Torres and [Mario] de Luna, I can go to them and ask for advice because I know they will help and allow me to learn from them.

The newly-arrived Goat has been brought along and developed in the Red-and-White institution, and for that he is thankful. Aside from his personal goals, Frias hopes he can be part of the progress that continues to take shape under Real’s leadership along with the rest of the new additions to the Rojiblancos.

“We’re here to put Chivas’ name back where it belongs and to give it our all for the jersey and fans,” concluded Frias.

From Reserves to Starting Lineup

If there is a player that believes in the Reserve League matches as a bridge to play in the First Team is midfielder Marco Delgado. The 18 years old Glendora, Calif., native has worked his way up from the Academy to the First Team through these games.

Delgado has been on Chivas USA’s starting lineup the past five games, and has already played eight games with the First Team this season. Delgado knows there is no secret behind his recent participation as a starter with the First Team.

READ: Delgado looks to remain in starting line-up

“[Reserve League games] give me minutes and if you put your head on it, it really helps,” said the young goat. “These games are important to me as I am still developing. Since I´ve been playing with the First Team, I take the reserve games really serious. I try to prove to the coaches that I deserve some minutes with the First Team, and it happened.”

Chivas USA´s Head Coach, José Luis Real is known for his work in developing young players into football stars. Delgado, who comes from the club’s Youth Academy, takes this knowledge on how to play these games and shares it with other Academy players.

“Take full advantage of the opportunity, the coaches are watching, even if it is the Assistant Coach he can tell the Head Coach to look for a player to play with the reserves team more, you never know. Like Caleb Calvert, he took advantage of his opportunity and look where he is now.”

READ: Delgado’s added confidence

Now that the transfer window has been open and players like Carlos Bocanegra and Erick Torres have come to Chivas USA, Delgado knows this is a big opportunity to learn from these players and continue his development as a player.

“It is a great honor to play next to Carlos Bocanegra, I hope to learn a lot from him. Last game he gave me a lot of information and feedback, and I am learning from him to use this to full potential, I hope I keep learning from him and my other teammates,” concluded Delgado.

McGuire’s ready for the next step

With the end of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy season, most of the players from Chivas USA’s U18 squad will be heading to college. One of those players is goalkeeper Jake McGuire, who will be joining Chivas USA for their Reserve League match against the LA Galaxy next Monday, July 22 at the StubHub Center before heading to college.

“I feel great. With the Academy being over, it’s good to be out there on the field and be able to feel the game again before I go off to college. The college season starts literally once I arrive, so it’s good to get games right before the season starts.

On August 9, McGuire will be heading to the Midwest to start a new chapter at the University of Tulsa, school that was his number one choice since the start of his search.

“It’s going to be a great time, I could already tell,” McGuire said. “I know a couple of guys on the team from my visit and the coaches are great, really humble guys. It’s really a hidden gem of a school, not a lot of people know about it, but I think the world of that school and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

And McGuire is heading to Oklahoma with first-class training. For three consecutive summers, McGuire has joined Chivas USA’s First Team training sessions, preparing alongside professional players and coaches that have continuously helped him and guided him in the right direction.

“They’ve told me to always focus on the details and the fundamentals. That’s what’s going to separate you from the guys that want to be crazy, get big saves and look amazing but if you’re making the saves that you’re suppose to make, the big saves will come naturally. That’s what I’ve been focusing on, making saves that I know I can make and trying to get to the ones that I think I can make,” McGuire finalized.

Make sure to follow McGuire and his possible participation in Monday’s Reserve League match against the LA Galaxy on Chivas USA’s official Twitter page: @cdchivasusa.

Preview: Closing season with a bang

After seven games played in the SoCal Premier League, the Regular Season for Chivas USA’s U23 squad will come to a close as they face Chula Vista Premier FC this Saturday, July 20 at 6 p.m. (PT) in Santee, Calif. The young Red-and-White squad will be looking to earn their seventh consecutive victory, in hopes to close the season with a 7-0-1 (W-L-T) record.

Just last Saturday, Chivas USA’s U23 Team defeated Genova International FC with a final 3-0 score, earning their third shutout of the season. Bryan de la Fuente, Christian Gonzalez and Jose Gomez each scored one goal to help the team to their sixth consecutive win.

Chivas USA next opponent, Chula Vista Premier FC, currently hold a three-game unbeaten streak, most recently defeating PSC Irvine Soccer Academy 4-2 last Saturday. The San Diego County based team sits in fourth place of the general standings with an overall record of 4-2-0, and 12 points.

Following the game against Chula Vista, the Red-and-White U23 squad will have a bye weekend before heading to San Luis Obispo for the League’s Semi-final round. With the objective to prepare for the playoffs, the Red-and-White squad will hold a scrimmage friendly against National Premier Soccer League side FC Hasental on Tuesday, July 23 at 4:30 p.m. (PT) at John Anson Ford Park in the City of Bell Gardens.

For all the latest news on Chivas USA’s U23 Team or Youth Academy, make sure to follow us on Twitter:@cdchivasusa & @ChivasUSAYouth

Chivas USA continue strength and tactical work

Chivas USA kicked off Friday morning’s training with strength and conditioning drills at the StubHub Center’s Field 6. The series of drills lasted approximately 30 minutes and consisted of core strengthening and light weightlifting followed by a light sprints over short hurdles that ran about 15 yards from beginning to end.

Afterwards, the squad broke out into an 11-on-11 scrimmage in reduced spaces under the instructions of Head Coach Jose Luis Real. After about 45 minutes of competition, the Red-and-White concluded their morning with a team stretch.