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Los Angeles Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Carlos Vela helped grow soccer in the U.S. Here are 9 other Latino players who have done the same
A legend of Major League Soccer has officially hung his cleats. Carlos Vela, the first designated player signed by Los Angeles Football Club and the top scorer in the club's history, announced his retirement on Tuesday. During his time with LAFC, the Mexican striker established the club as a prime destination for well-known players from around the world — European stars Gareth Bale, Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris all joined the black and gold. He helped the team win its first trophy by scoring 34 goals during the 2019 season, en route to lifting the Supporters' Shield and setting the MLS single-season record. Vela's arrival was yet another chapter in the long history of Latino players leaving a mark on MLS. Here are nine other footballers who did the same. As the newest kid on the soccer block, MLS needed serious playmakers to establish itself as a legitimate league when it first launched in 1996. To do so, it enlisted high-profile players from Latin America. Marco Etcheverry, Carlos Valderrama and Jorge Campos dominated American soccer from 1996 to 2001. Etcheverry, born in Bolivia, dribbled his way into the history books by helping D.C. United reach the MLS Cup finals four consecutive years, winning three of them, including the inaugural one. Valderrama, who hailed from Colombia, directed the offense of the Tampa Bay Mutiny and was instrumental in the club winning the first ever Supporters' Shield — awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular season. The league's initial success also depended on the personalities on the field. Sports, after all, exist to entertain. Enter Jorge Campos, the very colorful goalkeeper from Mexico. Campos didn't just have swagger; he was also a two-way player. As a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chicago Fire, Campos would start games as the goalkeeper and finish as a striker. His unique style gave the MLS the coolness it needed to remain relevant. Carlos 'El Pescadito' Ruiz, who started off his career in his native Guatemala, admitted that he had doubts when he first agreed to transfer to MLS. 'Everything we hear about Major League Soccer is not so good. … We hear that all the players come here to finish their careers,' Ruiz told the New York Times. It didn't take long for Ruiz to make an impact. He notched 24 goals during the 2002 season — his first in the league — earning the Golden Boot award given to the season's top goal scorer. That same year, Ruiz led the Galaxy to its first MLS Cup. English soccer legend David Beckham made a splash when he joined the Galaxy in 2007. But he wasn't the only high-profile footballer to make a move to MLS that year. Cuauhtémoc Blanco, one of the most popular players in Mexican soccer history, chose to take his talents to the Chicago Fire, becoming the second-highest-paid MLS player in the process (behind Beckham). Blanco's short MLS stint was productive: He was a two-time MVP finalist, scored the MLS goal of the year in 2007 and took home the MLS All-Star Game MVP honors in 2008. Also coming into the league in 2007 was Guillermo Barros Schelloto, who joined the Columbus Crew after not getting enough playing time at Argentine club Boca Juniors. Thanks to Schelloto, the Crew, one of the league's founding clubs, won its first MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield in 2008. He was also named the 2008 MVP. In 2011, Schelloto returned to Argentina, though not before cementing his place as one of the most iconic players in Crew history. These three highlight how important attracting players from Latin America has been for MLS during much of its existence. Raul Ruidiaz was instrumental in the Seattle Sounders' transformation from expansion team to one of the most formidable clubs in North America. The Peruvian-born player joined the team in 2018 at age 27 and led the team to its second MLS Cup victory in 2019. In 2022, the Sounders became the only MLS club to date to win the CONCACAF Champions League. Ruidiaz contributed two goals in the Sounders' 5-3 aggregate victory against Mexican side UNAM. Ruidiaz left the club at the end of 2024, but not before becoming the Sounders' No. 2 all-time leading scorer in franchise history. After bouncing around and struggling at clubs in Switzerland and Italy, the Venezuelan-born Josef Martínez found a home at Atlanta United FC, joining the expansion club while on loan from Torino in 2017, during its inaugural season. The following year, Martínez had one of the most prolific individual seasons in MLS history. His 31 goals set an MLS single-season record (broken the following year by Carlos Vela). In addition to winning the Golden Boot, Martínez was named league MVP, All-Star Game MVP and MLS Cup Final MVP (Atlanta United won its only MLS Cup by defeating the Portland Timbers, 2-0). Martínez was key in turning Atlanta into a soccer city. During the 2018 season, the franchise averaged more than 53,000 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For context, BMO Stadium (where LAFC plays) and Dignity Health Sports Park (where the Galaxy play), have a seating capacity of 22,000 and 27,000, respectively. Since its inception, MLS has had a somewhat earned reputation of being a place where players go to retire. But over the last decade, the league has helped change the narrative by exporting young talent to Europe. Which brings us to Miguel Almirón. The Paraguayan soccer player formed part of Atlanta United's 2018 championship run. In 2019, he was sold to English Premier League club Newcastle United for a reported $27 million. Almirón's transfer paved the way for the likes of Mexican American Ricardo Pepi and Colombian Jhon Durán to follow suit. In 2022, FC Dallas received $20 million for Pepi (he was 18 at the time) from German club Augsburg, and the Chicago Fire received $18 million in transfer fees from EPL club Aston Villa for Duran.
Scotsman
a day ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scotland hopes dashed as 21 y/o called-up by ex-Chelsea boss though Celtic pair are left out
Scotland look to have missed out on the 21-year-old goalkeeper. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland's hopes of calling up goalkeeper Chris Brady appear to be over after he was named in the USA squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Turkey and Switzerland on June 7 and 10. The 6ft 3in stopper currently plays for MLS outfit Chicago Fire, and has been strongly linked with a potential call up to the Scotland squad in recent months after American-based media claimed head coach Steve Clarke and the Scottish Football Association were aware of his eligibility, with further reports in January even stating the 61-year-old had made contact with the Naperville-born player. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I just want to make a name for myself,' admitted Brady when asked about his international future back in March. 'I think that's something I haven't yet been able to do quite yet on the most senior international level. So I would say, going forward, that's something I'm geared towards making an impact. Scotland manager Steve Clarke. | SNS Group 'It's extremely important to impress if you go to a national team camp and there's close to no time to work on training. But yes, I want to showcase what I can do on the international stage in 2025. My confidence in my role of being a goalkeeper for a team that plays on a stage like this has definitely grown. I'm very open now - especially now - to new systems, new ideas and new coaches.' However, the Tartan Army squad for the upcoming friendly clashes with Iceland and Lichtenstein saw free agent Angus Gunn earn a recall, alongside uncapped duo Robby McCrorie and Cieran Slicker, with Brady not given a maiden call up despite the rumours surround his potential inclusion. It now appears the 21-year-old has opted to represent the country of his birth, rather than switch allegiance to the Scottish national team, after being called up by ex-Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino to the USA squad. The youngster has been included alongside fellow uncapped goalkeeper Matt Freese of New York City, with experienced duo Matt Turner and Zack Steffen the other two goalkeepers in Pochettino's armoury. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Celtic duo Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers are not included in the 27-man squad for the upcoming double header, though Pochettino has been known to rest key players and evaluating new options for friendlies, with both Carter-Vickers and Trusty's likely to come back into the squad for the upcoming Gold Cup campaign, which begins against Trinidad and Tobago on June 15. FIFA regulations state a player who has not played in a competitive senior international match can switch national teams, if eligible, at a later date, meaning Brady's inclusion in the USA squad doesn't officially end hopes of him being added to a Scotland squad in the future, even if he plays in the upcoming friendly games.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Hugo Cuypers scores 2 goals moments apart, Fire beat Orlando City 3-1
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Phillip Zinckernagel opened the scoring in the fifth minute and added and assist, Hugo Cuypers scored two goals moments apart and the Chicago Fire beat Orlando City 3-1 on Saturday night, Chris Brady had five saves for Chicago (6-5-4), which has won three of its last four games. Zinckernagel took a pass from Mauricio Pineda a few yards outside the area, turned and ripped a shot the slipped through the fingers of goalkeeper Pedro Gallese to give the Fire a 1-0 lead. Cuypers made it 2-0 in the 31st minute with a one-touch finish from the center of the area off a ball played in by Zinckernagel from the right side and scored his 10th goal of the season — matching his total from 2024 — to make it 3-0 in the 32nd. The 28-year-old in his second MLS season cut inside to evade a defender at the left corner of the area and then calmly rolled a shot inside the back post. Cuypers is the first player in MLS since Miguel Berry on Aug. 27, 2021, to score goals in consecutive minutes. Alex Freeman scored in the 40th minute for Orlando, the 20-year-old's fourth goal of the season, when he flicked in a header off a corner kick played in by Martín Ojeda. Orlando (7-4-6), which saw its 12-game unbeaten streak come to an end Wednesday with a 3-2 loss to Atlanta, has lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. The teams played to a 0-0 tie on May 3 in Chicago. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
a day ago
- General
- Associated Press
Hugo Cuypers scores 2 goals moments apart, Fire beat Orlando City 3-1
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Phillip Zinckernagel opened the scoring in the fifth minute and added and assist, Hugo Cuypers scored two goals moments apart and the Chicago Fire beat Orlando City 3-1 on Saturday night, Chris Brady had five saves for Chicago (6-5-4), which has won three of its last four games. Zinckernagel took a pass from Mauricio Pineda a few yards outside the area, turned and ripped a shot the slipped through the fingers of goalkeeper Pedro Gallese to give the Fire a 1-0 lead. Cuypers made it 2-0 in the 31st minute with a one-touch finish from the center of the area off a ball played in by Zinckernagel from the right side and scored his 10th goal of the season — matching his total from 2024 — to make it 3-0 in the 32nd. The 28-year-old in his second MLS season cut inside to evade a defender at the left corner of the area and then calmly rolled a shot inside the back post. Cuypers is the first player in MLS since Miguel Berry on Aug. 27, 2021, to score goals in consecutive minutes. Alex Freeman scored in the 40th minute for Orlando, the 20-year-old's fourth goal of the season, when he flicked in a header off a corner kick played in by Martín Ojeda. Orlando (7-4-6), which saw its 12-game unbeaten streak come to an end Wednesday with a 3-2 loss to Atlanta, has lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. The teams played to a 0-0 tie on May 3 in Chicago. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Hugo Cuypers scores 2 goals moments apart, Fire beat Orlando City 3-1
Chicago Fire forward Tom Barlow, center, controls a head ball as he gets between Orlando City midfielder Eduard Atuesta (20) and defender Robin Jansson (6) during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Orlando City defender Alex Freeman, left, tries to control a pass in front of Chicago Fire defender Leonardo Barroso during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Chicago Fire defender Mauricio Pineda, left, clears the ball away from Orlando City midfielder Eduard Atuesta during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Chicago Fire forward Hugo Cuypers (9) moves the ball past Orlando City defender David Brekalo (4) and defender Robin Jansson, second from right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Chicago Fire forward Hugo Cuypers (9) moves the ball past Orlando City defender David Brekalo (4) and defender Robin Jansson, second from right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Chicago Fire forward Tom Barlow, center, controls a head ball as he gets between Orlando City midfielder Eduard Atuesta (20) and defender Robin Jansson (6) during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Orlando City defender Alex Freeman, left, tries to control a pass in front of Chicago Fire defender Leonardo Barroso during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Chicago Fire defender Mauricio Pineda, left, clears the ball away from Orlando City midfielder Eduard Atuesta during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) Chicago Fire forward Hugo Cuypers (9) moves the ball past Orlando City defender David Brekalo (4) and defender Robin Jansson, second from right, during the second half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Phillip Zinckernagel opened the scoring in the fifth minute and added and assist, Hugo Cuypers scored two goals moments apart and the Chicago Fire beat Orlando City 3-1 on Saturday night, Chris Brady had five saves for Chicago (6-5-4), which has won three of its last four games. Advertisement Zinckernagel took a pass from Mauricio Pineda a few yards outside the area, turned and ripped a shot the slipped through the fingers of goalkeeper Pedro Gallese to give the Fire a 1-0 lead. Cuypers made it 2-0 in the 31st minute with a one-touch finish from the center of the area off a ball played in by Zinckernagel from the right side and scored his 10th goal of the season — matching his total from 2024 — to make it 3-0 in the 32nd. The 28-year-old in his second MLS season cut inside to evade a defender at the left corner of the area and then calmly rolled a shot inside the back post. Cuypers is the first player in MLS since Miguel Berry on Aug. 27, 2021, to score goals in consecutive minutes. Alex Freeman scored in the 40th minute for Orlando, the 20-year-old's fourth goal of the season, when he flicked in a header off a corner kick played in by Martín Ojeda. Advertisement Orlando (7-4-6), which saw its 12-game unbeaten streak come to an end Wednesday with a 3-2 loss to Atlanta, has lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. The teams played to a 0-0 tie on May 3 in Chicago. ___ AP soccer:
