Starting this week, MLSsoccer.com will look back at the 2011 season team by team. We continue our 2011 in Review series today with Chivas USA. Click here for the full archive.

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GUADALAJARA, Mexico — University of Virginia alum Diego Restrepo is set for the biggest couple of weeks of his fledgling career after América de Cali's first-choice goalkeeper, Julián Viáfara, has been suspended for six months after testing positive for a banned substance.

That means the 23-year-old Under-17 World Cup veteran will step in and start for one of Colombia's most successful clubs in one of the most important months in its history.

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CARSON, Calif. – Chivas USA didn’t reach MLS Cup Playoffs in 2011, but with head coach Robin Fraser at the helm, the Rojiblancos head into next season with stability at the head coaching position for the first time in several years. 

Embarking on his “building” project with the club, Fraser navigated his team to an 8-14-12 record. MLSsoccer.com recently spoke with Fraser following his first full season as head coach Chivas USA to discuss, his first year in charge of the and his plans for the future of his club.

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Remember ex-MLS forward Adolfo “El Tren” Valencia?

Well, his son José Adolfo Valencia looks to be the latest Colombian to join the Portland Timbers, according to reports from that country. (SPANISH)

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To many observers, this offseason seemed to portend the end of the Daniel Hernandez era in Dallas. But the truth is, his time with FCD has just begun.

Hernandez and the team agreed to a three-year deal on Wednesday that will keep the veteran midfielder at Pizza Hut Park. Hernandez will continue to play for FC Dallas in 2012, but will ultimately transition to a role as an assistant coach under manager Schellas Hyndman.

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AMSTERDAM — It was not a very fruitful Wednesday night for clubs that employ Americans seeking passage to the Europa League knockout phase.

Jonathan Spector and Birmingham City slipping to third in a contentious Group H with a tough 1-0 loss at Braga in Portugal.

With the US international holding down right back, the Brums failed to capitalize on several chances, including a first half Nikola Zigic penalty kick. In the end, it was Hugo Viana's deflected 51st-minute strike that decided matters.

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SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes dipped into their past Wednesday to help restock their future, signing out-of-contract forward Steven Lenhart to a new deal and trading allocation money to Vancouver in exchange for former Quakes midfielder Shea Salinas.

The Lenhart deal, while not unexpected, was still big news for the Quakes, who went 4-3-6 with the bruising forward in their starting lineup.

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CARSON, Calif. – Chivas USA declined the contract options for six players on Wednesday, making them available for the MLS Re-Entry Draft on Dec. 5 and Dec. 12.

Highlighting the list is left back Ante Jazic, who enjoyed the finest season of his six-year MLS career. Jazic made 28 appearances for the Goats in 2011 and led the club with seven assists. The choice to decline Jazic's option is a monetary decision, and Chivas will likely try to bring the defender back at a reduced salary.

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VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Vancouver Whitecaps had a busy Wednesday, trading winger Shea Salinas to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for allocation money and putting six players on the Re-Entry Draft list.

Salinas, arguably one of the most exciting dribblers in Major League Soccer, played 26 games for the Whitecaps this season, with the Texan picking up one goal and three assists.

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WASHINGTON – In their continued effort to return to the upper echelon of MLS teams, D.C. United declined contract options for nine players on Wednesday in order to free up cap space and give the team more maneuverability for offseason roster acquisitions.

Among those nine were Clyde Simms and Santino Quaranta, two of D.C.’s longest tenured players. All will be available for next week’s Re-Entry Draft.

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