Chivas USA’s Padilla expected to contribute instantly
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Some of the world’s best soccer players have donned a No. 10 jersey.
So when Chivas USA forward Jesus Padilla received his on Tuesday at an introductory news conference, Coach Preki disguised wishful thinking with humor.
“When you wear that No. 10,” Preki said, “you better score 20 goals.”
Padilla and the media members broke into laughter, but Preki was only half-joking.
Since it started the season undefeated through five matches, Chivas endured a five-game losing streak that ended Saturday with a 2-0 road win against the last-place New York Red Bulls.
Team President and Chief Executive Shawn Hunter helped spearhead the move to acquire Padilla on loan from Chivas Guadalajara with about two-thirds the season complete. And with six of its next 11 games at home, Chivas is making one final run toward the playoffs.
The club is tied for fourth place in the Western Conference.
“Jesus, [at] this time of the year, is a great boost in the locker room,” Preki said.
Added Hunter: “When the first time I meet him and he’s talking about a championship, that’s music to my ears.”
Chivas received Padilla’s international transfer certificate on Tuesday, which makes him eligible to play Saturday against Toronto FC at the Home Depot Center.
He might not have a scoring onslaught the way Preki would prefer; Padilla recorded five goals through 34 tournament appearances the past couple years. But the move provides him with more playing time – which was scarce before – and a chance to become a bigger contributor.
“I’m here to be a leader,” said Padilla, a product of Chivas de Guadalajara’s youth system who has made 24 appearances for Chivas’ first team. “I’m here to win, to look for a championship … so I’m ready to step up to the plate.”
It will start with perfecting some of his strengths, which Preki noted was Padilla’s ability to beat defenders off the dribble. Preki likes his attacking instincts and will use Padilla’s versatility to shuffle him through various positions.
“I think the opportunity’s right here for him,” Preki said. “It’s going to be up to him and only up to him [as to] how far he wants to go. And we all hope he wants to go really far because he has that capability.
“He’s going to be one of the better players in the league if he wants to be.”
-- Mario Aguirre