After finishing with MLS's worst record in its inaugural year, Chivas USA hired coach Bob Bradley. He was fired last season by the MetroStars, but leads MLS coaches in career wins and won an MLS title with Chicago in 1998. Compared to last year's opening day roster, Bradley's Chivas USA squad includes more Mexican veterans, fewer young Mexicans and more experienced American players.

SOCCER AMERICA: Last year, Chivas USA entered the season with only one major Mexican star, Ramon Ramirez. Now you'll start the season with two more Mexican World Cup veterans, Francisco Palencia and Claudio Suarez. How are these guys doing?

BOB BRADLEY: They bring a lot of character and experience to the team. You know right away why they've been successful in their careers. These three have shown already a commitment to making this season different and have a really good way of showing the others how to do things.

More than anything, these players have a tremendous respect for what our league is all about. For the quality of the league. For the competitiveness of the league. They see what the other teams have in terms of good American players who are hard to play against and who are good players and they have all felt our team needed better balance.

SA: After being assistant coach at D.C. United, and head coach of Chicago and the MetroStars, you're now in charge of a team that grew out of a Mexican organization. How does that affect your job?

BB: It makes it special because there's a passion that surrounds Chivas with its support. You have people who really care about the club. We have to make sure that's all true around Chivas USA.

We want to keep that passion and that Chivas heart and tradition while ensuring it fits the United States and fits MLS. And with any team anywhere in the world, you have to win to satisfy your fans.

SA: What's your assessment of Chivas USA's play last season?
BB: I felt in some stretches they played good soccer, but were not able to sustain it for the whole game or concentrate for the whole game. Oftentimes they didn't know how to finish games. Some of that was clearly inexperience, mentality, knowing how to win. That's all normal with a first-year team.

— Interview by Mike Woitalla