Ramon Ramirez, Chivas USA's biggest star and captain, has quit the team. According to media reports, the 35-year-old veteran of two World Cups cited his inability to get a visa for the family's nanny as a reason for his departure.
It's the second time that a Chivas Guadalajara star changed his mind about MLS. Francisco Palencia, who also played in two World Cups for Mexico, had been expected to join the Southern California expansion franchise before insisting to stay with Guadalajara so he could redeem himself for missing a penalty kick in last season's Mexican league playoffs.
Chivas USA's preparations have suffered other setbacks. Last week, goalkeeper Martin Zuniga suffered a knee injury and midfielder Armando Begines broke his collarbone. Recovering from groin surgery and not expected ready by the April 2 opener is defender Alfonso Loera.
Damani Ralph, the 2003 MLS Rookie of the Year with Chicago, signed with Russian Premier League club Rubin Kazan. Ralph is the Fire's second former MLS Rookie of the Year to move to Europe. Carlos Bocanegra signed with Fulham of the English Premier League after the 2003 season. Also signing with Rubin Kazan, located in the republic of Tatarstan, is former Kansas City forward Igor Simutenkov.
Clemson sophomore Stuart Holden signed with Sunderland of the English Championship League through the end of the 2004-05 season. Holden hails from Houston and played for the U.S. U-20 national team in 2004. Holden earlier had had a trial at Everton.