“Sueno MLS,” the televised, open tryout for a trial with the Chivas USA U-19 team, is rapidly coming to a conclusion, with just 24 players remaining. The Long Press-Telegram profiles a few of the local boys who remain in the running. Among them is 16-year old Andrew Robles, a boy from a rough neighborhood in Long Beach, not too far from the Home Depot Center, home of Chivas USA and the L.A. Galaxy. Robles and his 18-year old brother Eder, who will play with Chivas USA, dream of playing together in MLS and earning enough money one day to move their crowded family out of the two bedroom house now occupied by 10 people, including his sister’s 2-year-old son and 7-month old daughter. Robles, unfortunately, sleeps in the same room as his sister and her children. “Always. I always hear the baby getting up at night,” he said.
Despite being one of the youngest remaining contestants, Robles is confident he can win. “Everyone trying out — they were all older than me… But then I thought, ‘This isn’t a new thing.’ Ever since I was little, I’ve always been playing with older people,” he said. Chivas is actually targeting players between 16-21 for the final slot. The winner will be decided on March 25.