He will also keep the Mexican fans abreast of his Chivas USA adventure by writing twice a week for the Mexican sports daily, Record.
"There are many Latino people in Los Angeles, many Mexicans, so those fans know what we are trying to accomplish in the MLS," Ramirez said. "Our last championship was in 1997 so we are all hungry for another ... [even] in MLS."
Ramirez and goalkeeper Martin Zuniga are the most recognizable players moving from the parent Chivas club to Chivas USA, as evidenced by the homemade sign that read, in English, "See you later! Goodluck! Thank you for all!"
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Chivas of Guadalajara prides itself on using only Mexican players. Under the roster rules of MLS, no such position can be taken by Chivas USA. And that's OK with the Chivas fans.
At the exhibition in Cocula, the birthplace of mariachi, the fan turnout was more than music to the fledgling club's ears.
Many in the cramped crowd at the Estadio de Cocula wore Chivas jerseys. One, decked out in a jester cap emblazoned with the Chivas colors, stripes and logo, and toting what appeared to be a Chucky doll dressed in the Chivas uniform, made his way through the concrete stands, imploring everyone to join him in Spanish song.
Chivas was in town -- and the fact that it wasn't the Chivas mattered little to the gathered fans and journalists.
Still, the distinction between the clubs was obvious.
"You hear some things about [Chivas USA], but not a lot," said Cesar Valtierra, a fan from Cocula. "Everyone here is more concerned with the main Chivas team.
"But if they win a [MLS] championship, people would be proud."
Probably none more than Antonio Reyes, who was wearing both a Dodger cap and a Chivas jersey, the prototypical fan Chivas USA hopes to attract in the Southland. He brought his three young daughters to the exhibition, just to catch a glimpse of the newest addition to the Chivas family.
"Chivas a el corazon," he said softly, pointing to his girls with one hand and covering his chest with the other -- Chivas to the heart.
Said Ruben Ortiz, 13: "Chivas is a team for all Mexicans, but Chivas USA represents all people. I think that's a good thing."
His friend, Fabian Vasquez, 14, agreed. "Now, all Mexicans in the United States get to see them and other fans get to see what the Chivas [brand] of soccer is about," Vazquez said. "It's good that other countries will be represented by this team."
