Lillingston Joins Chivas USA

Chivas USA has signed Mexican forward Eduardo Lillingston to a contract, the club announced on Wednesday. Per league and team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Lillingston, 31, has spent much of the preseason training with the club, joining up with them during their trip to Guadalajara last month. Prior to coming to MLS, he spent his entire professional career in Mexico's top-flight, playing for Toluca, Santos, Atlas, Tigres and, most recently, UAG Tecos. Lillingston spent 2003 - 2008 with Tecos, scoring 23 goals in 98 appearances; he has 52 career goals in 228 games played.

"I'm excited to contribute the experience I have," said Lillingston, "and to work hard on the field for my teammates, my coach, and the fans. I've challenged myself to score 10 goals this season. But I'm excited for that challenge and am excited to come to MLS."

Originally brought in as a possibility to add depth up front, head coach Preki will likely rely on Lillingston more than he had expected, as his stable of forwards continues to suffer through a rash of injuries. Ante Razov and Alecko Eskandarian are banged up and Cuban striker Maykel Galindo has just recently returned from an injury of his own, looking rusty in his first preseason action last weekend.

"He brings experience," said Preki of Lillingston. "He's played in Mexico for quite a few years and he's ready to score goals. Hopefully, he can settle in this league and give us a good boost."

The most likely pairing of forwards to start the season is now Lillingston and second-year player Justin Braun, who feels like he can excel playing alongside Eduardo on the field.

"He brings a different style," said Braun. "His game is something that a lot of players here aren't used to. I like playing with him. His style gives me more freedom to run around. I think he'll be a good asset to our team."

Chivas USA's offense still should not be as worrying as their current defensive situation. Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy and center-back Bobby Burling have also been bitten by the injury bug in preseason, while the team was unable to come to terms with Mexican legend Claudio Suarez in the off-season, leading to a bitter split between the two parties. Former Los Angeles Galaxy defender Abel Xavier has joined the team this week; it appears likely that the former Portuguese international will be offered a contract sometime soon.

* photo courtesy Dentro del Rebaño