Chivas USA Denies Interest in Ruiz

With the soccer world still reeling from the Galaxy’s trade of Carlos Ruiz and subsequent signing of Landon Donovan, Antonio Cue, president and co-owner of Chivas USA, shot down a rumor that had the Major League Soccer expansion franchise chasing Ruiz and adding to an already simmering rivalry.

This despite Chivas USA’s not having a proven striker and still owning two allocation picks that were seen as attractive trade bait for FC Dallas, Ruiz’s new home.

“We have no interest in Carlos Ruiz for the simple reason that we are already committed to the team we have and we’re ready to play,” Cue said Thursday. “Carlos Ruiz may be a great player, but we are going with the young kids we have. We’re fine to start the season.”

Chivas USA opens the season Saturday at noon against defending champion D.C. United at the Home Depot Center.

Cue was giving a tour of the club’s still-under-construction Chivatown, a replica of a Guadalajara street and fan zone located on the southern concourse at the Home Depot Center. Arches welcome fans as do a mock-up of Minerva Plaza (fans of Chivas celebrate victories at the real plaza in Guadalajara) and a Palenque stage for singers and acts. At the end of the walkway is a hall of fame that houses the parent club’s 10 Mexican league championship trophies.

Chivatown will be open for all Chivas USA weekend home games, though the trophies will be returned to Mexico soon.

And while media predictions have had Chivas USA finishing in last place in the Western Conference, Cue said he was fine with the forecasts.

“We are on a five-year plan,” Cue said. “In five years, we are going to become champions and then every year after that we will be constantly [chasing] championships.... We have long-term vision.”