I love it when I find athletes that truly relish and appreciate their position. How about this gem of a quote from FC Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala who also I might add traveled 9 hrs in one day to show up to the FIESTA KICK CANCER SOCCER CAMP that I organized.
“I mean this with all sincerity: I love the United States. I love the opportunities it has given me and the safety it provides my family. I will always be grateful to this country, this league and FC Dallas for the happiness I have known here. I get at least 3 phone calls a week from South American players looking to come to MLS.
Argentine Dario Sala FC Dallas goalkeeper
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Glenn, very nice! I hope you give Dominic Kinnear Dario’s phone number because he might be calling. I wish Holden only knew what he had here in Houston and the MLS . What town in England would cherish Holden like Houston does? No town. I know he thinks he will make it over there but this is marathon for this guy and he could use 2 or 3 more years to develop and be a star in the MLS. If he is really as good as he thinks he is he could pull down Donovan kind of money in a few years. I hope he goes back and listens to your podcast for the Chris Gbandi interview. What wise words Chris had for Stuart.
Maybe the work stoppage is in the back of his mind and he wants to make sure it is resolved before going “all in.” He has both of his feet in it now and maybe is hedging his bets.
I do hope that someone “blinks” very soon for this new CBA with the players. A work stoppage is a “lose/lose/lose” for all involved.
I hope Holden jumps ship. He needs to strike when the iron is hot and go to Scotland or England when he can.
Glenn- Inspiring words and heartfelt comments by FCD’s Sala.Shame some American born players don’t have the same desire and pride in their own countries league- MLS, as a foreign born player does.
Nice comments from Sala that should speak to all of us. We all take for granted how lucky we are to live in the US.
Regarding Sala, he has a lot of good things he needs to do to atone for his assault of Colorado Rapids players after the game was over back in 2006. We should not be forgetting that dark event anytime soon. Did he ever express regret?
How might this change Holden’s decision?
Coyle tells Burnley he wants Bolton job
By Soccernet staff
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=720965&sec=england&cc=3888
January 6, 2010
Burnley manager Owen Coyle has told the club he wants to leave Turf Moor to take the vacant manager’s job at Bolton Wanderers.
Sala did after that incident express regret and I remember him saying that he reacted to the Rapids taunting the Dallas fans.
It actually made him more popular with the few FC Dallas fans.
I personally love the above quote because as you have all mentioned we can easily forget opportunity that we have.
I had always thought Sala was a bit of a shmuck because of things he has said or done over several seasons, but this quote of his shows me an attitude that I really respect. I’m also impressed by the inconvenience he absorbed to participate in your charity event–an event that happened at a town and in the midst of a fan base that is “at odds” with Sala’s current hometown and fan base. He could focus on charity events in the DFW metroplex and milk that for what it’s worth, but this shows someone who will do this for the kids and not for building a rapport with home fans.
I’m sure Onstad is viewed as a shmuck by Seattle fans after he chest-bumped their fragile forward during the playoffs, and we all know Onstad is pure class on and off the field. I know they are wrong about Pat…and maybe I was wrong about Sala. (My opinion may change back after the next El Capitan match.)
I read the full article that that quote came from and it gave an excellent overview of Salas career and situation. Interesting that the primary reason for coming to MLS was due to a “security incident”. I would think that would be a selling point for coming to mls. Google “The Incredible Journey Of Dario Sala” to find the article. Be prepared its a long one, but worth the read.
I was there at that Col playoff game, right behind the goal during the shoot-out. I’ve never seen a pro team taunt the crowd like I did that game. Maybe it’s normal in a high impact MLS environment, but it seemed way over the top and odd to me. Sala blew up, but he was reacting to the Col players. Not saying it was right, just saying.