Chivas USA Sold to MLS; Rebrand Will Take Place After A New Owner Is Found

[Gothamite]

Yeah - I think if the league was terribly interested in either crest they could have made it part of the package.

Still doesn't mean the names are off the table, though.

[LMU]

I wouldn't be surprised if over the next year the club and new owners find a new stadium site that isn't in LA proper, that the team ditches Los Angeles from their name altogether. Could go with Orange County or Anaheim or wherever they end up.

I also think that a team named LA Gunners would never fly. Washington Bullets didn't last, Gunners likely wouldn't either.

It will certainly be fun to see where this ends up, especially if LAFC/SC are both off the table (which hasn't been confirmed yet).

Of course the irony in that first statement is that StubHub Center isn't in LA proper to begin with.

[BrianLion]

A team in a league that calls itself "Major League Soccer" should be called SC not FC.

We dont call it football in this country, accept it and move on.

[dbadefense1990]

A team in a league that calls itself "Major League Soccer" should be called SC not FC.

We dont call it football in this country, accept it and move on.

Umm...

[BrianLion]

A team in a league that calls itself "Major League Soccer" should be called SC not FC.

We dont call it football in this country, accept it and move on.

Umm...

It's stupid. The fact that Dallas does it, doesnt make it any better. It makes as much sense as calling a team "Real"

[Gothamite]

You are aware that "soccer" is shorthand for "Association football", right? That makes either term acceptable.

[Soarindude]

This is 'merica.

That's a good parody, but I think you could have used the word "forced" a couple more times.

I take 3 high-level English classes out of my 7 classes, thinking of synonyms when I get home is not on my todo list.

[Viper]

As long as they're not called "Los Angeles FC (or SC) of Anaheim", I don't really care which one they use. (Though something like Missions FC, referring to the old Spanish missions in the region, would be a great and distinctly SoCal brand for the club.)

Also, Grantland's Graham Parker has weighed in.

[nas1787]

I wouldn't be surprised if over the next year the club and new owners find a new stadium site that isn't in LA proper, that the team ditches Los Angeles from their name altogether. Could go with Orange County or Anaheim or wherever they end up.

I also think that a team named LA Gunners would never fly. Washington Bullets didn't last, Gunners likely wouldn't either.

It will certainly be fun to see where this ends up, especially if LAFC/SC are both off the table (which hasn't been confirmed yet).

Of course the irony in that first statement is that StubHub Center isn't in LA proper to begin with.

So maybe in a few years time we can have the Carson Galaxy and Ranchocucamonga FC

On a side note, Ranchocucamonga is the greatest name for a place ever. When I first heard it in Workaholics, I thought it was made up.

[Avalancho]

I wouldn't be surprised if over the next year the club and new owners find a new stadium site that isn't in LA proper, that the team ditches Los Angeles from their name altogether. Could go with Orange County or Anaheim or wherever they end up.

I also think that a team named LA Gunners would never fly. Washington Bullets didn't last, Gunners likely wouldn't either.

It will certainly be fun to see where this ends up, especially if LAFC/SC are both off the table (which hasn't been confirmed yet).

Of course the irony in that first statement is that StubHub Center isn't in LA proper to begin with.

So maybe in a few years time we can have the Carson Galaxy and Ranchocucamonga FC

On a side note, Ranchocucamonga is the greatest name for a place ever. When I first heard it in Workaholics, I thought it was made up.

I agree wholeheartedly... Whenever I hear "Rancho Cucamonga" I somehow think of this guy:

[colortv]

I have a theory outside if the ones already talked about. Chivas USA needs a new home, and has been exploring a move within the LA area for some time now. USC has stated they would like to tear down the LA Sports Arena and build a new soccer stadium. If Chivas is indeed the target, USC may want the struggling team to rebrand or at least come up with an identity that would bring in fans that wouldn't associate or identify with the Mexican club. LA FC is a much more ambiguous identity that could perceivably draw in the casual fan. The Chivas brand brings with it an idea one has to be invested or identify with the Mexican link to the club, or that the club is ment to be a Latin American affair. This isn't true of all Chivas USA supporters, but it may make many many shy away. It may seem ethnocentric or even racist, but I think the club is keeping non Mexican fans away who don't feel comfortable supporting what is seen as a pseudo Mexican club. A new stadium on USC property may come with request to put a more European/American emphasis to the identity.

Plus the leaked crests are crimson, very similar to Trojan colors. Maybe I'm reaching, but its a thought.

Chivas will remain in Los Angeles, MLS Commissioner Don Garber said, and the league is moving forward with plans for a new stadium for the club, with an emphasis on the LA Sports Arena site next to the Coliseum and controlled by USC. Garber said the league hopes to find a local owner by the end of the year.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/la-galaxy-respond-mls-purchase-182401049--mls.html

Wow you nailed it.

[hawk36]

Southern California FC (SCFC). I love it.

Or better yet... United Southern California

[Gothamite]

Southern California FC (SCFC). I love it.

Or better yet... United Southern California

Those are gorgeous colors. I'd love for an MLS team to adopt them, but I'd suspect the USC connection would scare off any Los Angeles club.

[rams80]

Southern California FC (SCFC). I love it.

Or better yet... United Southern California

United Southern California wouldn't happen for fear of threeve court battles over branding and trademarks with USC.

[ohryan]

Is there a single, valid reason not to fold the franchise and let somebody else have a shot at an MLS franchise? Chivas had their chance and pissed the bed. I see no reason for a second chance at this point. Time to move on.

[gosioux76]

Is there a single, valid reason not to fold the franchise and let somebody else have a shot at an MLS franchise? Chivas had their chance and pissed the bed. I see no reason for a second chance at this point. Time to move on.

I'm not sure what the difference would be in these circumstances. Short of dumping all the players -- which a new owner might do anyway -- having new owners that don't run it like a farm club for the Mexican league is as close to a fresh start for this club as you can get.

[Digby]

Is there a single, valid reason not to fold the franchise and let somebody else have a shot at an MLS franchise? Chivas had their chance and pissed the bed. I see no reason for a second chance at this point. Time to move on.

Perhaps they still think a second LA-area team is still a better shot than anyone else. I could see that being realistic if say Orlando hadn't already been granted its team, but short of maybe San Antonio, the next batch of MLS expansion contenders does seem to be a few steps below where they need to be.

[Lee Noire]

I wouldn't be surprised if over the next year the club and new owners find a new stadium site that isn't in LA proper, that the team ditches Los Angeles from their name altogether. Could go with Orange County or Anaheim or wherever they end up.

I also think that a team named LA Gunners would never fly. Washington Bullets didn't last, Gunners likely wouldn't either.

It will certainly be fun to see where this ends up, especially if LAFC/SC are both off the table (which hasn't been confirmed yet).

Of course the irony in that first statement is that StubHub Center isn't in LA proper to begin with.

So maybe in a few years time we can have the Carson Galaxy and Ranchocucamonga FC

On a side note, Ranchocucamonga is the greatest name for a place ever. When I first heard it in Workaholics, I thought it was made up.

As a former resident of my beloved Rancho Chokeyomama for many years, it is indeed a real place. It's never really properly shown on TV though. Next Friday's "Rancho Cucamonga" doesn't exist. Personally I'm quite fond of Cucamonga Crackerkillaz FC. ?

Yup a Next Friday reference. Boom.

[Jer15]

And if you don't want to splurge on the expansion fee, Chicago should be available for purchase and relocation before the decade is out.

out of curiosity.....what makes you say that?

[Brian in Boston]

According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office database, Major League Soccer is now the owner of the Los Angeles SC and Los Angeles F.C. trademarks that the Vergaras had originally registered.