Chivas USA's Mendoza to train with Guadalajara

LOS ANGELES (Goal.com) -- Chivas USA announced Sunday that midfielder Francisco Mendoza, the Mexican player with the most all-time appearances in Major League Soccer, will train during the current MLS offseason with Club Deportivo de Guadalajara, Chivas USA's parent club.

The 23-year-old native of El Salto, Jalisco, is expected to join the 11-time Mexican champions this week at Chivas' preseason camp in Guadalajara.

Jorge Vergara, who owns both clubs, recently identified Mendoza as a potential reinforcement for Guadalajara.

Mendoza was acquired by the Los Angeles-based Chivas USA in 2005, prior to its inaugural season. He moved to MLS from the youth system of Guadalajara, which he had joined at age 14.

Under head coach Efraín Flores, Chivas de Guadalajara is currently preparing for the upcoming InterLiga tournament in the United States, in which Mendoza could potentially see action for the Mexican club.

After facing Atlas and Club América in Texas, Guadalajara is scheduled to play Tigres UANL on Jan. 9 at the Home Depot Center in the final doubleheader of the tournament's opening round.

Mendoza has performed primarily for Chivas USA as a midfielder, but coach Preki moved him to the defensive line for much of the 2008 season. -- Andrea Canales