Son of Salazar joins Sydney FC

[salieri]

Good to see someone thinking outside the square.

From smh.com.au:

Son of marathon great signs for Sydney
December 9, 2004 - 8:14PM

The son of American marathon legend Alberto Salazar has become A-League club Sydney United's latest signing.

Alejandro Salazar committed to the Sydney side in favour of going into the Major Soccer League draft in the US.

The 20-year-old striker/midfielder has signed a one-year deal and will arrive in Sydney in January.

In three seasons of US College soccer he played 61 matches and scored 25 goals.

"It is a great boost for Sydney FC to have signed Alejandro Salazar," said Sydney FC chairman Walter Bugno.

"He comes with talent and commitment but best of all he has decided to come to Sydney to continue his career when he could easily have done so in the US."

Sydney FC assistant coach Ian Crook said he was excited about the prospect of Salazar joining the squad after watching him play several matches on video during the signing process.

"Alejandro is a talented player who scores goals from midfield or as a striker and can play with both feet," Crook said.

"He has done well in the matches I have seen and I believe he will develop into a very good football player.

Sydney FC has now signed 13 of its 20 players with Salazar joining former Socceroo Steve Corica and defender Mark Rudan as key signings in the last week.

Salazar's father was selected on two US Olympic Teams and held the marathon world record as well as winning the prestigious New York Marathon three times.

[CONVERSE]

very interesting signing.
ive searched about the net for some info on this guy and he seems to be a very promising player from all reports.
its interesting that they are scouting players from america. it wasnt a place i thought sydney would be looking.

Alejandro Salazar

[Tancred]

Well that's 13 players signed

It's starting to come together. I glad to see SFC looking around for good players, the USA is not a place I thought they would go looking.

It would have been better if the SMH had called us Sydney FC and not Sydney United

[Footballer]

salieri said:

The son of American marathon legend Alberto Salazar has become A-League club Sydney United's latest signing.

Nice piece of journalism.

[pluche]

Apparently he is a really talented player with a big future.

I hope so.

One things for sure, he should be able to run all day..

[CONVERSE]

i think player like this, whilst a nobody, still brings interest to the league. i am hell interested in seeing how good this player is.

brisbane have also signed two keoran internationals.

it just makes this league a tad more interesting than the nsl.

i hope sydney can sign a few more international players, then adding a decent marquee player, and i think 30,000+ crowds should be there for a few games!

[Robbie]

Why sign a player from the USA?

I can't see a logical reason behind it? Not that I'm against it in anyway.

Is it due to the Aussie dollar that he can get more bang for his buck playing here ?

[CONVERSE]

Robbie said:

Why sign a player from the USA?

I can't see a logical reason behind it? Not that I'm against it in anyway.

Is it due to the Aussie dollar that he can get more bang for his buck playing here ?

cos he must be talented??
why sign a player from anywhere then?

[trueblue]

who cares where he is from,as long as he is good then thats all that matters

[Wands]

judging by his dads pedigree I don't reckon he'll have any trouble going the full 90 minutes.

I thought America was a great place to look...

well done SydneyFC

[SfB]

yer going to america was clever imo, w ahve to stop looking at player in europe who probably wont come....the mls is a source thats rarely looked into

[nickkar]

I think if they use a draft system in America it could be a source of players here. It is a version of slavery which means you could end up anywhere and probably don't get paid much at all. Australia is probably the ideal place for American players. The language is English, the weather is good, John Howard is the best friend/slave they have had in years, there are no harsh laws here, they can go to bars when they are young, and there is the excitement factor of the crocodile hunter. I also think the A- league will be viewed as a players league. that is one which the players want to be involved in and develop themselves in , rather than as in Qatar a retirement league. A-league teams can then make a lot of money if these guys want to move on.

[SfB]

ths kid will run all day.....he's gonna be the biggest workhorse in the team

[Tommo]

Ok, let's just assess this signing:

*20 years old-A man with time on his side

*Apparently a very hot prospect in the MLS. Made the 'West Coast first XI' two out of his three years in College football.

*Plays as an attacking midfielder or striker. Two of the most cavalier, exiting positions on the park

*An American with Cuban heritage. Bit of foreign spice-cause it was looking a bit like a glamour NSL wasn't it?

And an apparently famous name to top it all! Now, like all of us i've obviously never seen this guy play, but still, I can't believe we've got him. Why this guy would want to start his professional career at Sydney FC as opposed to the MLS or even Europe I have no idea, but damn, i'm certainly not complaining ;D
Nice work Sydney FC! Maybe we'll be a glamour club after all

Oh, and check this out too: www.portlandpilots.com/sports/msoccer/bio.asp?PLAYER_ID=680 - I know it's only College Football but it makes for pretty impressive reading.

[mythology1]

New football = New thinking ... no one expected Sydney to go to the USA for players ... this is a good example of new thinking ... sounds promising to me and ensures that at least I will go to see whether this guy can play. They've got me hooked already ... also it will be great to see Corica again after a few years ... another reason to go