Panchito: good as gone?

Chivas USA midfielder Francisco "Panchito" Mendoza is off in Guadalajara for some offseason training and has the chance to play in InterLiga before returning to the US for the MLS preseason.

Or is he?

Chivas de Guadalajara coach Efrain Flores told Mural that he doesn't see Mendoza as a player who is simply training with the team.

"There is a chance (he could stay for the Clausura 2009 season). Since we have him here and he's part of the same family with Chivas USA, there is a chance he could take (Antonio) Olvera's place on the roster... I see him as a reinforcement. Of course I hope that in both footballing and contractual terms everything works out well."

What did Chivas VP Nestor De La Torre have to say about the whole deal?

"In the future we may be able to work something out with him. He's part of Chivas. He's a Chivas player but he has a responsibility to Chivas USA."

For his part, Mendoza said he's enjoying the entire process and doesn't want to close any doors.

"I don't know anything about (a deal with Chivas). I have a contract with Chivas USA. I'm here to train but I would not say no to pursuing that in the future."