Spirits high as Chivas USA camp opens

CARSON, Calif. -- With many of the same faces that have been defending the team's colors for several seasons now, Chivas USA opened the fifth training camp in club history on Wednesday.

Some new faces, such as Cuban forward Reiner Alcantara and rookie draft pick Michael Lahoud, meshed with veterans Jesse Marsch and Maykel Galindo as the club set forth on the long and challenging road towards March 21 and the 2009 MLS season opener.

Players felt that day one passed on as well as could have been expected.

"Every day has to be about getting a little sharper and getting a little better and establishing yourself within the team for each individual and as a group," Marsch said. "As much as you have two months to get ready, you don't really have any time to waste. You want to make sure every day you get something out of it and that you're pushing each other the right way and I feel like today was a good start."

Part of the day's events included Sacha Kljestan, who cut off most of his locks following Saturday's U.S. national team match, and Jonathan Bornstein. Kljestan had a hat trick in the United States' 3-2 win against Sweden while Bornstein started the match.

Another familiar face who was a welcomed sight was Galindo. The club's leading goal scorer with 12 goals in the 2007 season was hampered with injuries a year ago and scored just once, in the 2008 season opener.

Galindo said he was excited about the opportunity to get back into the swing of things.

"I feel happy," Galindo said. "We all know what happened last year with my injuries and now to be back with the team it feels good. I'm doubly happy."

Another familiar face to return to the fold was former defender Carlos Llamosa. The U.S. World Cup veteran did not find the fountain of youth and re-join veteran Claudio Suarez on the backline; instead Llamosa will serve as head coach Preki's right-hand man as Llamosa is now an assitant coach with the club.

"I'm very happy to be back to the team, the team where I finished my soccer career," Llamosa said. "Now as an assistant coach it's a good challenge."

The soccer Wednesday was not necessarily pretty, but the club's sights are set on getting to the postseason and winning their first-ever playoff series. If the soccer is not attractive on the first day of training camp, there is nothing wrong with that.

After all, there are other things that must come first.

"Everybody's adrenaline is flowing on the first day," Marsch said. "It's not always the best soccer but it's fun to get back out here and get at it again and establish starting points."