Chivas star sets team-mates ambitious goal as Guadalajara eyes redemption

Erick Gutiérrez is well aware of the debt Chivas Guadalajara owes in the Leagues Cup. In the last two editions of the tournament, which pits Liga MX clubs against their MLS counterparts, El Rebaño Sagrado failed to advance past the opening round. Now, Gutiérrez is setting a bold goal for the squad: win the title and secure a spot in the next CONCACAF Champions Cup.

“I’ve had the chance to play in the tournament twice, and unfortunately, we didn’t make it out of the group stage,” Gutiérrez said on Wednesday, ahead of Chivas’ opener against the New York Red Bulls.

“This tournament is being taken seriously. It helps us grow individually and as a team. We’re coming in confident, but humble - ready to compete and win. The format is tough, only four teams advance, which makes it challenging. We’re up against teams that are playing really well. I follow MLS closely - my friend’ Chucky’ [Lozano] plays there [for San Diego] - and the league is growing fast. They’re intense. But we’re hungry, and our goal is to win this tournament.”

A chance to prove themselves

“We haven’t been able to get past the first round in previous years,” Gutiérrez continued. “For me and for the group, this is an important tournament. It gives you a platform to showcase your talent - especially for those looking to make the jump to Europe. We owe it to ourselves and to the club. Chivas is a big institution, and we have to hold ourselves accountable and make it through. It’s a great opportunity. We’re coming off a big win at home, which was huge for morale. Starting with a win tomorrow is crucial. We want to play well, take control, and impose our style. That’s our goal - do things right. We’re taking it step by step, working with humility, and everyone here wants to win.”

Lessons learned and a new mindset

“This tournament means a lot to me. The demands are high, and the games are intense,” Gutiérrez emphasized. “It’s important for players to be honest - if you’re not at 100%, you need to speak up. In my first tournament, I tried to push through, maybe because of the pressure of being a new signing, and I ended up with a more serious injury. You have to be honest and sometimes step aside so the guy who’s in better shape can play. No Mexican team has won this tournament yet, and it would be amazing to be the first. We’re all in.”

Praise for Milito and a renewed Chivas

Gutiérrez also lauded head coach Gabriel Milito, crediting him with bringing the stability Chivas desperately needed.

“We’ve had some tough tournaments with coaching changes and off-field drama,”he said. “There was a lot going on around us, and that made it hard to trust the process. You’d step on the field and not really know what the game plan was, because we didn’t have consistency with the coaching staff - for reasons beyond our control. But since the coach arrived, he’s brought confidence and passion. That passion comes through in everything he says. For me, it’s huge that we’ve rediscovered that fire. We showed it in our last match, with the connection between the fans and the players. In past tournaments, we couldn’t come back in games. If we went down, it was tough to recover.

“You can talk tactics all day, but when things aren’t clicking, belief, effort, and desire can carry you through. The coach knows the game - how to prepare, how to read the opponent. He gives us the tools and tells us what’s going to happen - and it does. That’s key. We make the decisions on the field, but if you use the tools he gives you, you win games. He also plays whoever’s in the best form and trains the hardest. That creates healthy competition. I’ve had coaches who stick with the same players no matter what. But here, if you’re performing, you get your shot. That’s something I really value about him. He knows the game, and we need to take advantage of having a coach like that - someone who wants the best for the team, who’s here to win, and who wants to make history with Chivas.”

Chivas Guadalajara vs New York Red Bulls: when, where, how to watch?

On matchday one of the 2025 Leagues Cup league phase, Chivas and the Red Bulls face off today, Thursday, July 31. Kick-off at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

You can watch the game on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

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