Coaching Staff
Stephen Hamilton, Vice President of Soccer Operations
Stephen Hamilton, a respected business leader within Major League Soccer, was named Chivas USA's Vice President of Soccer Operations on January 16, 2008. In his position, Hamilton oversees all aspects of Chivas USA's technical staff and player development initiatives - including player identification, acquisition and development - from the club's successful First Team to its pioneering Youth Development teams and Chivas USA Soccer Academies.
Hamilton joined Chivas USA from AEG Sports, where since 2002 he served as the organization's Director of Team Services, where he helped oversee the operation of as many as six Major League Soccer properties at one time. While at AEG, Hamilton played a key role in developing relationships with renowned international clubs such as Real Madrid, Chelsea FC and Club América of Mexico and to promoting the teams' exhibition matches in the United States. He also oversaw several non-MLS sports properties, such as the AEG-owned LA Riptide of Major League Lacrosse and the David Beckham Academy in Los Angeles.
Previously, Hamilton served as Director of Fan Development with Major League Soccer, as National Grassroots Manager for Soccer for adidas America and as Director of Business Development for cc&c management group. inc., a sports management agency based in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A native of Hazlet, N.J., Hamilton played collegiate soccer at Appalachian State University and later at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he graduated with a B.S. in Marketing.
Martín Vásquez, Head Coach
Martín Vásquez was named Chivas USA's fifth Head Coach on Dec. 2, 2009, bringing experience both as a player, in Major League Soccer and the Mexican First Division, and as a coach, having served as an Assistant Coach for Chivas USA and Bayern Munich, among other teams. Vásquez is also one of just two players to have played for the national teams of both the United States and Mexico.
Vásquez' coaching experience prior to rejoining Chivas USA consisted of a position as assistant coach to Jürgen Klinsmann at famed club Bayern Munich in Germany from July 2008 until April 2009, and had previously served as an assistant for Chivas USA in the club's first three seasons (2005-2007). As Head Coach of Chivas USA, Vásquez follows Preki (2007-2009), who he worked with under Bob Bradley in 2006 and while Preki was Head Coach in 2007. Vásquez also served as an assistant for the LA Galaxy (2004), the San Diego Spirit (2001-2002) of the Women's United Soccer Association, and at Cal Poly - Pomona (1999-2000).
Born on December 24, 1963 in Yahualica, Jalisco, Mexico, Vásquez moved to Los Angeles at age 12, and began his playing career in local leagues in Southern California. He played three seasons of collegiate soccer at Cal State - Los Angeles (1980-1983) before returning to Mexico to make his professional debut with the Second Division team of Mexican club Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara.
Following a five-year stint as a professional indoor and outdoor player in the U.S. during the mid-1980s, the defender-midfielder debuted in Mexico's First Division with Universidad de Guadalajara (1988-1990), before moving on to Puebla (1990-91), Veracruz (1991-92) and Atlas (1992-1996). Playing in both defense and midfield, Vásquez appeared in more than 300 league matches, and in 1991 and 1992, he played 10 games with the Mexican national team under coaches César Luis Menotti and Manuel Lapuente.
In 1996, he returned to the United States, where he gained U.S. citizenship and played for the Tampa Bay Mutiny (1996-1997) and the San Jose Clash (1998), and was one of the top defensive midfielders in the league. In three MLS seasons, Vásquez played in 87 matches (83 starts), scoring nine goals and adding 16 assists. He made his debut with the U.S. National Team under Steve Sampson on Dec. 21, 1996 in a World Cup Qualifier against Guatemala played in San Salvador, El Salvador. Vásquez played a total of seven matches with the United States, his final match being the 0-0 draw against Mexico on Nov. 2, 1997, the only time the U.S. has ever earned a point on the road at Mexico.
Vásquez resides in West Covina, California with his wife Denise and their three children Michael, Erika and Emily.
Carlos Llamosa, Assistant Coach
Carlos Llamosa was named Assistant Coach by Chivas USA Head Coach Preki on Jan. 25, 2009, bringing the World Cup veteran and MLS Cup winner back to the club where he finished his playing career. The Colombian-born Llamosa played in MLS from 1997-2007, including his final two seasons with Chivas USA, and made 29 appearances with the United States National Team after gaining U.S. citizenship in 1998.
Born June 30, 1969 in Palmira, Colombia, Llamosa immigrated to the United States as a 21-year old in 1991, after five years as a professional in Colombia. Playing in local leagues in New York City, he was spotted by then-D.C. United coach Bruce Arena, who selected him in the 1997 Supplemental Draft. Llamosa then began an MLS career in which he won two MLS Cups (1997, 1999), the CONCACAF Champions Cup (1998) and Inter-American Cup (1998), and was a three-time All-Star (1999, 2001, 2002), playing for D.C., Miami, New England, and Chivas USA in 2006 and 2007.
Llamosa became a naturalized U.S. citizen on Oct. 23, 1998, and two weeks later made his debut for the United States National Team. The defender played a total of 29 matches with the U.S. between 1998 and 2002, including appearances in the 2002 World Cup victories over Portugal and Mexico. Llamosa holds a U.S. Soccer Federation "A" License.
Kevin Esparza, Team Administrator and Assistant Coach
Born in Orange, California on January 11, 1972, Kevin Esparza joined Club Deportivo Chivas USA as Team Administrator and Assistant Coach after spending two seasons (2003-2004) with the Los Angeles Galaxy as an assistant coach. Having worked at the youth, club, high school and professional levels, Esparza brings over 19 years' coaching experience to Chivas USA.
Previously, Esparza was Director of Coaching at Desert United Soccer Club in Palm Desert, California, where in addition to heading up the technical staff he was in charge of the club's women's U-17 and men's U-14 teams, as well as tournaments, camps and clinics.
In 2003, he coached the Irvine Strikers, and in 2002, he was assistant coach of the men's team at the University of California Riverside. Esparza had worked previously at the university level, serving as assistant coach of the men's and women's teams at Chapman University from 1996 to 1999.
In 1996 Esparza coached the Orange High School men's varsity team to the CIF Championship. He was head coach at Orange High for three seasons, and assistant coach for one.
Esparza has also worked for the Southern California Olympic Development Program (ODP) since 1999, serving as a scout for talented male and female players ages 13 to 18. He also was assistant coach for the ODP U-14 and U-16 boys' teams in 1999 and 2001, respectively. In 2001 he served as an assistant coach to the Southern California U-16 men's team that won the ODP National Championship. His ODP head coaching career includes stints with the Southern California B15, B16 and 1986 Boys teams.
Esparza studied and played soccer at Santa Ana College and Chapman University. He currently resides in Orange, California.
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Josh Beaumont, Athletic Trainer
Josh Beaumont was named Head Athletic Trainer of Club Deportivo Chivas USA in February 2006, having previously served as an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Florida Atlantic University. Beaumont brings to Chivas USA his experience within the high school, collegiate, and professional ranks.
Prior to FAU, Beaumont was an assistant athletic trainer at University of Maryland Baltimore County, where he was responsible for the men's soccer, women's basketball, and baseball, along with overseeing the education of beginning student athletic trainers. Before that he was the head athletic trainer at Uniontown (Pennsylvania) and Ragsdale (North Carolina) high schools.
Beaumont earned an M.S. with honors in Athletic Training from California University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in Sports Medicine with a minor in Biology from Guilford College in North Carolina. While at Guilford, he served as head student athletic trainer for women's basketball and soccer. He was awarded the David Martin MD, Most Improved Athletic Trainer Award, Guilford College Dean's List in 1995, 1998 and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference All-Academic Team in 1995-96, 1997-98. Also a stand-out athlete, Beaumont lettered in soccer, football, and was captain of the lacrosse team. He has presented at both the 2002 and 2007 National Athletic Trainers' Association Conventions and has been published in the Journal of Athletic Training and FFI soccer magazine.
Beaumont has served as an athletic trainer for the Warrior Senior Collegiate Lacrosse All-Star Game, the USA National Lacrosse Team Try-out Camp, NHL In-Line Hockey Tour, UMBRO Select College All Star Soccer Games, and the ESPN Summer X-Games. He has worked with the Los Angeles Riptide, Baltimore Bayhawks, Pittsburgh Crossfire, Washington Power professional lacrosse teams and interned with the Killington Mountain Ski and Safety Patrol. He is active with the USYSA Region I and II Girls' Soccer Olympic Development Programs and has served as athletic trainer for the US Youth Soccer All-American Team in the adidas Cup, featuring the Under-19 National Teams from Canada, Japan, and the United States.
Raúl Guerrero, Equipment Manager
Raúl Guerrero has been a passionate Chivas fan "Ever since I was four years old, when my dad used to take me to see Chivas games at the Estadio Jalisco." Upon being named Equipment Manager of Chivas USA on November 22, 2004, Raúl knew he was home again.
Born on April 23, 1957 in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Guerrero has been connected to soccer his whole life. He worked with the Los Angeles Galaxy during the 1996 and 1997 MLS seasons as assistant to the team's equipment manager, in addition to working in gameday operations and volunteering with the coaching staff.
Guerrero served as head coach at Marshall High School and Lincoln High School. He was both player and assistant coach at East L.A. College and was head coach of the Coast Soccer League team Club AFGA Futboleros. In his days as a soccer player, Guerrero played goalkeeper, but he also took the field as a defender with the Varones # 1 high school in Guadalajara before moving to California in 1975.
He also played for the soccer teams of Lincoln High School and East L.A. College. He played with Ayense in the California League and in the Greater Pasadena Soccer League as player and head coach.
Guerrero graduated from Glendale College as an assistant surgical technologist and has attended UCLA's pre-medicine program.
He resides in Pasadena with his wife Josefina Alonso and their two sons, Carlos Raúl and Víctor Andrew.
Anthony Garcia, Assistant Athletic Trainer
Anthony Garcia joined Chivas USA during the 2008 season as the team's Assistant Athletic Trainer. Having worked in Major League Soccer, as well as with the United States National Teams and in other professional sports, Garcia brings over 25 years of experience as an athletic trainer to the Chivas USA staff.
Recently, Garcia served as the Team Administrator and Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Los Angeles Galaxy, and has also worked with boxers Alfonso Gomez and Oscar de la Hoya. From 1996 to 2001, Garcia was the Lead Athletic Trainer for the United States National Soccer Teams, and has served with the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA, the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers of MLB, and worked at both the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and the World Cup in 1994.
Miguel Torres - Massage Therapist
Miguel Torres, Chivas USA's Massage Therapist, joined the club in 2006 as an assistant, and has been in his current role since the start of the 2008 season. After graduating from Long Beach City College in 2002 with a degree in Massage Therapy, Torres worked for a chiropractor and with private clients before working with FC Wilmington Juniors Soccer Club starting in 2005.
Born on Feb. 21, 1973 in Los Angeles, Torres was raised in Wilmington, Calif. His parents are from Michoacán, Mexico, and his cousin, Arturo Torres, became the first player in Chivas USA history when he was selected first overall in the 2004 Expansion Draft. Miguel also has two children, Michael (3) and Kylie (2).
Dr. Michael Gerhardt, Team Physician
Dr. Michael Gerhardt, a native of the central coast of California, currently resides in Los Angeles and serves as the head team physician for Club Deportivo Chivas USA. After receiving a Bachelor of Science at U.C. San Diego, he earned a medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania. Dr. Gerhardt returned to Southern California to complete an orthopaedic residency at USC, followed by fellowship training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery at the Santa Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Group. He then joined their sports medicine faculty where he currently practices, balancing responsibilities ranging from fellowship education to private clinical practice.
Dr. Gerhardt is a board certified orthopaedic surgeon and is on staff at the Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, California. He is actively involved in clinical and basic science research as a member of the Santa Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Research Foundation headed by Holly Silvers, PT and Diane Watanabe, ATC. Dr. Gerhardt's academic and clinical endeavors focus on treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of soccer related injuries. In addition to his involvement with Chivas USA, he joins his partner Dr. Bert Mandelbaum as team physician of the U.S. men's national team.
Dr. David Wallis, Team Physician
Dr. David Wallis, a California native, lives in Hermosa Beach and serves as the medical team physician for Club Deportivo Chivas USA. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from U.C. Los Angeles and earned his medical degree from U.C. San Diego. Dr. Wallis did his internship and residency training in Family Medicine in Santa Monica and then completed a fellowship in Sports Medicine through Harbor-UCLA. He currently is in private practice with the South Bay Family Medical Group in Torrance, CA.
Dr. Wallis is board certified in Family Medicine with a CAQ in sports medicine. He is on staff at Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Little Company of Mary hospitals. He is on the faculty for the Harbor-UCLA Sports Medicine fellowship and gives various academic lectures when not seeing patients in his office. In addition to his involvement with Chivas USA, he also joins Dr. Gerhardt and Dr. Mandelbaum as a team physician of the U.S. women's national team.
Holly J. Silvers, Physical Therapist
Holly J. Silvers is a board certified Physical Therapist specializing in sports orthopaedic rehabilitation methods in Santa Monica, CA. She is a graduate of Western University of Health Sciences with a Masters Degree of Physical Therapy and of Rutgers University (BS: Biological Sciences and Communications). She is a current member of United States Soccer Federations Men's and Women's National Medical Team, served as a member of the Local Medical Organizing Committee for the 2003 Women's World Cup, a member of FIFA's F-Marc Medical Research Committee, and a member of US Soccer Federation's ACL Prevention Task Force. In addition, she is a physical therapist for Major League Soccer's CD Chivas USA. She has served on the medical team for the Amgen Tour of California (US Cycling), the AVP Professional Volleyball Tour, International Rugby Board's Sevens Tournament, and the Avon 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk.
Currently, she is the director of research at the Santa Monica Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Research Foundation with a primary focus on ACL Prevention, sports hernia prevention and head injury prevention in athletes. Ms. Silvers has also published several peer reviewed articles on the prevention of ACL injury and patellofemoral disorders.
Athletes' Performance
Athletes' Performance begins its third season of providing performance training for Chivas USA.
Athletes' Performance is recognized as the industry leader in offering the highest level of performance training, performance nutrition and performance physical therapy as part of the most fully integrated training systems in the world. Athletes' Performance systems have helped power the best of the best in sport: Green Jacket winners, Grand Slam Titles, World Series Winners, Stanley Cup Champions, Super Bowl and NBA Champions, Olympic Gold Medalists, World Cup Medalists and All-Stars from every major sport.
With training facilities at the Home Depot Center, Athletes' Performance is positioned to provide its world-renowned integrated training system to help Chivas USA players achieve their individual peak performance levels. Through the integration of performance training, physical therapy and nutrition, Athletes' Performance staff members create customized solutions for each Chivas USA player helping to maximize productivity on the field and decrease injury potential.
In addition to its Home Depot Center facility, Athletes' Performance has world-class facilities in Tempe, AZ and Gulf Breeze, FL. For more information on Athletes' Performance, its training programs and products, please call 310-630-2290 or visit www.athletesperformance.com.
