Soccer takes many twists and turns... and some bring you back to the same place, but with a different jersey. Today, we'll tell you one of the most interesting stories in the rivalry between Guadalajara and Charlotte... and no, it didn't necessarily happen in a match between the two teams.
Chivas continues its journey in the 2025 Leagues Cup and this Thursday will play Matchday 2 against Charlotte FC, in a match that brings with it a special story: Efraín Álvarez, now wearing the number 10 jersey for Guadalajara and one of the team's key players, will return to Bank of America Stadium, where he experienced an unforgettable moment as the star of the show.
It was March 5, 2022, when Charlotte made its home debut as an MLS franchise in front of more than 74,000 fans. That day, Efraín wore the LA Galaxy jersey and started as a substitute, so he had to watch most of the game from the bench. However, in the 70th minute, he was called to enter the field. With only seven minutes on the field, he scored one of the best goals of his career, with a left-footed shot from outside the area that gave LA Galaxy a 1-0 victory. Interestingly, Javier "Chicharito" Hernández was also a starter in that game.
That's how Efraín Álvarez scored his first goal against Charlotte in the MLS, welcoming the franchise to its home and in front of its fans.
Today, Efraín is part of the Rebaño Sagrado and will seek to write a new chapter on that same field, but now wearing the colors he loves. A few hours before facing Charlotte, we relive this memory that connects past and present and reflects the journey of a player who now proudly defends Mexico's most beloved team.
