By ADAM SERRANO
CARSON, Calif -- Last summer, Jesus Padilla was signed to be the player that Chivas USA had long desired, a player with experience with mother club Chivas de Guadalajara as well as roots with the Mexican American community in the Los Angeles area.
Padilla's first season with los Rojiblancos didn't quite work out as planned. He was plagued with injury as well as lack of form. With a new coach and a new offense, the winger looks set to meet the expectations he fell short of in 2009.
"I really have started to work hard during the preseason so I can win a regular spot with our new coach," said Padilla. "If I'm going to earn a spot in the line up, then I need to be a different player on the field. I've got to score goals and pass much better than I have before."
Along with Sacha Kljestan and new signing Osael Romero, Padilla looks to earn a role in the revamped offense of Head Coach Martin Vasquez. However, the Chivas USA coach stated that the winger has some hurdles to jump before he earns a guaranteed place in the line up.
" He has made good progress, when he came into preseason I think it was behind the rest of the group and I sat with him and told him that I don't think we've seen him at his best," said Vasquez. "I'm very fortunate to have seen Padilla at his best with Chivas de Guadalajara and I told him that's the Padilla that we want and that's who is going to help us."
During his first season in MLS, Padilla struggled under former head Coach Preki playing in 11 matches and scoring one goal since joining the club on loan. Deployed in a number of different positions both in the midfield as well as at the forward spot in 2009 the challenge for Vasquez will be where to place Padilla amongst his new attack oriented line up.
"In the system that Chivas de Guadalajara plays he has always played as a right winger and if we play a 4-3-3, he's our best guy in that position," said Vasquez. "He's very mobile and if we have his qualities then we're going to be a very unpredictable team and that's what we're looking for."
In the club's friendly match against UCLA on Wednesday, Padilla impressed with a number of chances at goal while playing on the right flank, but was unable to get on the board. However, the San Jose native understands that his time on the field for Chivas USA will be measured in only one thing, scoring goals.
"Sometimes you make shots and sometimes you miss them, but if I want to be successful I need to make more than I miss, plain and simple."
COSTA RICAN DEFENDER UMANA SIGNED
Chivas USA bolstered its defensive ranks by signing World Cup veteran and Costa Rican international Michael Umana, the club announced on Thursday.
Umana played previously in MLS for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the Galaxy's MLS Cup-wining season of 2005. Most recently he played for Liberia Mia, which he helped lead to a Costa Rican title in 2009. The 27-year-old represented Costa Rica at the 2006 World Cup and has made 40 appearances for the 'Ticos'.
A versatile defender who can play anywhere in the back, Umana should help provide some depth in central defense, which could allow Jonathan Bornstein to move back to left back.
CONWAY TO BE WAIVED
A team source confirmed to SBI on Thursday that Goalkeeper Jon Conway will be waived by the club. Conway had been battling with goalkeeper Dan Kennedy for the back up spot behind the currently injured Zach Thornton. The former New York Red Bull who saw some time for the club during the preseason, most notably during Chivas' 3-1 victory against Mexican Second Divison leaders Irapuato, but has not been with the team for a week and is expected to be waived in the near future.
