This U.S. star is poised to leave Liga MX and return to MLS
Chivas is reportedly preparing to send Cade Cowell back to the U.S., after the American became a fringe figure in Guadalajara.
Cade Cowell’s stint with Chivas Guadalajara appears to be coming to an end. On Wednesday, transfer market insider César Luis Merlo reported that the California-born forward will not continue with El Rebaño and is heading back to Major League Soccer, joining the New York Red Bulls. The deal is a one-year loan with an option to buy.
What are Cowell’s Chivas stats?
Cowell arrived at Verde Valle early last year from the San Jose Earthquakes. Expectations were high that he would take his game to the next level in Liga MX, but his role gradually diminished. He leaves Mexico having played 28 official matches, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
🚨Cade Cawell deja Chivas y se marcha cedido a New York Red Bulls de la MLS. ⬇️https://t.co/jS4eRuhnaV
— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) December 3, 2025
“Hormiga” breakout spells end for Cowell
This season, Cowell featured in just 13 regular-season games, finding the net only once - against Atlético San Luis in Week 2. For the team’s final three matches, he wasn’t even on the bench, a clear sign of his secondary role.
The emergence of Armando “Hormiga” González - Chivas’ first Liga MX scoring champion since Alan Pulido in 2019 - prompted head coach Gabriel Milito to favor the Celaya native over Cowell. Following the team’s quarterfinal exit at the hands of Cruz Azul, the Mexican-American forward is heading home for a year in hopes of regaining his form.
Cowell’s situation mirrors that of Brandon Vázquez, his compatriot who joined Monterrey from FC Cincinnati in 2024. After a couple of seasons in Liga MX, Vázquez returned to MLS with Austin FC. Whether Cowell will make his way back to Mexican soccer someday remains to be seen.
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