Monday, March 5, 2007

Beckham is not Latino

I realize this information doesn't surprise anyone. Chivas USA is apparently making that part of their marketing strategy, though.

It's a transition from the first focus of Chivas USA, which was much more Mexican-centered at the start and has evolved now to include more players of different backgrounds.

In fact, with the Galaxy's history of Central American stars, and at the time, a coach who had led Costa Rica's national team, Chivas USA's own video of the debut season had a clip of someone saying, "It's Central America versus Mexico" of the Galaxy and Chivas USA.


Of course, Steve Sampson moved on, as did Carlos Ruiz, Pando Ramirez and others, so that comparison isn't really valid anymore.

But that's why it still bothers me slightly that Chivas USA didn't base itself in San Diego instead of LA, though it makes it easier to cover them since they're closer. Chivas USA could have still had a close rivalry with the Galaxy, but then there would probably be less of this element involved where people are counting the ethnic makeup of one team or another as a basis of loyalty.

For example, if one is a San Diego Padres fan, it's not because the club is claiming to be more Latino than the Dodgers.

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