By Sebastian Moraga
Five Brazilian prospects might play for the Reds this summer if host families can be found for them, team officials said.
The prospects, who remain unidentified in order to not impede negotiations or alert other teams, range from 17 to 22 years old, do not speak English and would stay in Yakima from late March to late August of 2010, team co-owner Alex Silva said.
Only one of the prospects is underage, Silva said, while another is already a pro player in Brazil, seeking exposure to the American Major League Soccer as well as to European markets.
Families interested have until Jan. 31 of 2010 to contact the team, Silva’s fellow co-owner Perry Piercy said. Families in Yakima are preferred, although people from the surrounding areas are also acceptable, provided they can drive the player to and from games and practices.
The January deadline is meant to give families a chance to prepare for the arrival of the prospect. The season does not start in full until April and depending on the success of the team, it may well go on until September.
Families will not be paid money for hosting, Piercy said, although they may get free game tickets.
With five Brazilian players, the contingent of people from the South American nation may reach seven, when considering head coach Alex Silva and last year’s leading scorer Vini Oliveira.
Piercy said the team will let Yakima-area churches know of the need for host families. The search will then move on to ads in local publications and radio stations.
An “ideal” family, Piercy said, would live near Marquette Stadium and can provide transportation and has someone who speaks Portuguese.
“It would hopefully be a unique cultural experience for that family,” Piercy said. “We’re not in the condition to help with the cost, so this is something where the family would be willing to volunteer their house and provide for the basic food and shelter needs of a player.”
Once the remodeled team Web site is up and running, an application for host families will be made available.
The idea of bringing Brazilian players first came up when Oliveira first joined the team. Silva acted as Oliveira’s agent and that’s when he first mentioned his contacts in his home country. Oliveira is now an employee of Silva’s in the latter’s roofing company, and is expected to play for the Reds this year.
Sebastian Moraga can be reached at koogbasschi@hotmail.com
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We all hope to see the Reds perform at the top of their game and accomplish big things. Question: Will we be seen Keeper Mauricio Sanchez playing with the Reds this year? This young talented athlete is unique, qualities that we just don’t see very often anymore. Good luck to you Reds!
By: Juan Carlos Leano on February 6, 2010
at 7:53 pm
I will call Mauricio myself tomorrow morning to get an answer to your question. Thanks for reading!
By: cousky on February 7, 2010
at 12:12 am
Answer has been posted on our Web site.
Thanks!
By: cousky on February 8, 2010
at 12:25 pm
Alex and Perry talk about lack of commitment from the players too much, and yet if you take a look at the reds webpage they have a picture of a guy that didn’t finish the 09 season (Hacker) Why is this?
By: Bob T. on February 8, 2010
at 1:53 pm