Alfredo Pacheco: Im ready!
Picture by Ernesto Motta
Alfredo Pacheco practiced for the first time with his new Red Bull teammates today. He’d already gotten his P-1 visa and passed his physical, so with sporting director Jeff Agoos expecting Pacheco’s ITC sometime this week, the Salvadorean defender should be available Saturday in Houston.
“I’m ready,” said Pacheco, who captained both El Salvador and C.D. FAS. After talking to him for five minutes, it’s very obvious he isn’t shy about speaking his mind. Some of the topics aren’t for public consumption, but he was clear about how much his move to Red Bull meant to him.
“I feel really happy to be here. It’s all players dream to play outside their own country, and also to get an opportunity to let people see you outside your own country, and keep pace for the National Team,” said Pacheco, a 26-year-old who should help anchor the defense for coach Juan Carlos Osorio, whom he has called The Professor.
“I met him for the first time in El Salvador. We met over dinner and talked over what Red Bulls means. He was explaining and we talked about that. He showed me how big New York is, how big expectations the team has. I feel really honored that he chose me to come to play for this team. I feel proud.” Pacheco has been a stalwart as a left back in a four-man back line for both FAS and El Salvador. He said he’d played center back a little in 2005, and has played left back in a three-man back line as well; but he’s primarily been a fullback in a four, meaning he’d likely start there _ backed up by Danleigh Borman _ with Kevin Goldthwaite a possibility at centerback.
He practiced with the first team today, and veterans Juan Pablo Angel, Jorge Rojas and Carlos Johnson let him know what he could expect, and what would be expected of him.
“I think it is a fast team. I see players; they’re thinking fast with the ball. They let me be aware I have to catch up to that speed, that experience to be at their level,” said Pacheco. He didn’t ask El Salvador teammate Eliseo Quintanilla about his time at D.C. United, saying “I would not want to talk about it: It is a personal thing.” But he has talked to ex-Galaxy standout Mauricio Cienfuegos, who coached Nejapa F.C. last year.
“I spoke with Mauricio about the league. I’ve got all the respect for Mauricio. I also watched the league before giving consideration to play here. I know about the league,” Pacheco said. “Last year he was coaching in El Salvador, and he said this league is fit perfectly for Salvadoreans, that kind of style. I have to be ready for that kind of mentality to come over here and be a winner.”
(Speaking of players with winning attitudes, I asked him about Cristian Castillo, and he said they were close friends and he tried to get the gifted young midfielder to come to New York, but he thought Castillo was going to end up in Mexico….)
Anyway, what do you guys think of his arrival? Think he and Carlos Johnson on the other side will make this defense rock solid, or much hype about nothing? Figure Johnson moves inside to make room for Jeremy Hall? Holla at us….
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