UNITED BY A GAME AND A DREAM INIGUEZ HOPEFUL OF JOINING CHIVAS AND BRINGING HIS FAMILY TOGETHER.

Byline: IVAN OROZCO

Staff Writer

SAN FERNANDO - Aldo Iniguez's parents migrated to Southern California threeyears ago so his father could work as an electrician. Iniguez stayed in Guadalajara, Mexico, to play professional soccer for the Vaqueros Ixtlan in the Mexican Segunda Division.

The 20-year old goalkeeper didn't want to be away from his family, but his passion for the sport was his priority. Now Iniguez's determination to stick with the sport has reunited him with his parents while separating from his wife and child.

Iniguez is one of five finalists in Chivas USA's open tryouts that began in February in Bell Gardens with more than 2,000 hopefuls signing up from all over the country and some from as far away as England.

Abraham Garcia of Santa Barbara, Jorge Flores of Anaheim, Carlos Ruiz of Lawndale and Miguel Sanchez of Inglewood are the other four finalists.

The winner will be announced today on the nationally televised weekly sports show "Republica Deportiva" on Channel 34 (Univision). The show, which airs at 1 p.m. Sundays, has followed the tryouts the past month, showing clips of the players' progressions.

Iniguez has been practicing with the senior team and is the only player with a chance at earning an MLS contract and a slot on the 28-man roster; the others are eligible to join the under-19 squad, with which they have been practicing the past two weeks.

"I wasn't nervous," Iniguez said in Spanish. "You feel motivation because you're just one step from being there with them as part of the team. The training has been hard because it's been a while since I've trained intensively with a team.

"In Guadalajara (it) is a slower game. It's more about technique. Here, it's about speed."

Chivas USA goalkeepers coach Zak Abdel said Iniguez needs to work more on his technique and adjust to a more aggressive style of play than he was accustomed to in Mexico. Abdel said Iniguez has the talent to be part of the team, but his chances of earning a spot might be slim.

That's because Chivas USA is already loaded with goalkeepers. Brad Guzan is the starter and United Soccer Leagues veteran Preston Burpo is the backup. Kenny Channey and Sam Reynolds also have been training with Chivas USA's reserves.

In his first day of training last week, Iniguez looked fatigued. He leaned on a goalpost after completing a dive-and-catch drill with Channey and Reynolds.

But competing against seasoned professionals was only part of the challenge for Iniguez. He doesn't speak English, which makes it difficult for him to communicate with Abdel and his prospective teammates.

"I tried my best to get things across with signs and nods," said Iniguez, who spends his afternoons studying English at his parents' SanFernando home after practice. "But soccer is the universal language."

Iniguez ran into another obstacle during the tryouts: His father, Rogelio Iniguez, had an aneurysm the night before Aldo found out he was a finalist and was taken to the hospital.

"It's difficult to continue doing what you are doing, but I came here chasing a dream," Iniguez said. "I couldn't stop."

And his father, who was released the following morning, wouldn't have let him. Rogelio Iniguez, who also underwent open-heart surgery twoyears ago and sometimes has trouble walking, attended one of his son's practices in a wheelchair a few days after being released from the hospital.

"It's a feeling that doesn't fit in your chest," Rogelio Iniguez said in Spanish. "Having your son make it this far is an accomplishment that makes you proud. If I'm still alive, there's no way I will miss him reaching his dream."

Iniguez's mother, Graciela, said there is no stopping Rogelio from cheering for his son. She recalled Rogelio walking into the living room with tears in his eyes after watching Aldo on TV last Sunday.

That passion fuels Aldo's competitive edge. He said he doesn't know what he will do if he doesn't earn a contract. If he makes the team, his first priority will be bringing his wife and son, who are still in Mexico, to San Fernando.

"Soccer kept my son in Guadalajara, away from us," Rogelio Iniguez said. "Soccer brought him here to us. Hopefully, soccer will also join him back with the family he left behind."

[e-mail]

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Aldo Iniguez and his father, Rogelio, have been reunited by Aldo's attempt to earn a spot on the Chivas USA roster.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer