Currently on trial with CF Vilanova in the Spanish 4 division. Article says he is also in the process of applying for an Italian passport. http://garrafesports.blogspot.com/2011/10/el-cf-vilanova-anima-el-mercato.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CF_Vilanova
Yes so going on 3 years now. He did go on a tour with one of the IMG Academy teams to Italy Vincenzo Bernardo went too.
I never have been able to verify that he was/is with Vilanova. I had serious doubts about it when he turned up at the NASL or USL camp several months ago. However, his agent lists him as being with the club. It also looks like he did get the Italian passport as he is listed as a dual national. Hopefully something more official will surface soon.
From his recent Twitter activity, I believe he is currently on trial with a club in Malta. My guess is Marsaxlokk.
He is on trial with Tarxien Rainbows, which plays in the Malta Premier division. Manzonelli scored in a friendly on 7/19 in their 2-0 win over Qormi.
He scored in a local cup game. The game ended 1-1 and Tarxien lost on pks. The next tournament game is on Friday http://www.maltafootball.com/2012/07/23/ame-cup-mosta-balzan-register-wins/
Manzonelli scores again in a pre-season tournament against Balzan FC. http://www.maltafootball.com/2012/07/23/ame-cup-mosta-balzan-register-wins/ So far during his trial, he has 2 goals from 3 (friendly) matches.
Tarxien won their second tournament game on pks. Manzonelli scored a pk http://www.maltafootball.com/2012/07/27/ame-cup-balzan-lead-the-way-in-group-b/
Last game of the tournament Tarxien lost 2-1. Manzonelli scored a goal from a free kick. http://www.maltafootball.com/2012/08/04/ame-cup-rabat-ajax-take-fifth-place/
It's Manzonelli 3rd goal from 5 matches on trial with Tarxien. Has 2 goals in this tournament, not including the goal during the PKs.
Seems Manzonelli is no longer with Tarxien Rainbows. According to these two articles, he is not mentioned as an incoming player or in the lineup in the first match of the new season. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120817/football/Coaches-give-their-views.433162 http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=149435
Odd. He seemed to be doing quite well in the preseason. I wonder if he has better/other options or if the money wasn't enough
Most likely it was a money issue. I looked up the team's value in transfermarkt.co.uk and none of the players were worth more than 50k Euros, so they weren't likely to offer him more than that and he doesn't have much pro experience compared to the proven Brazilian forward they re-signed.
Interesting.... I always thought he had good skills, good feet, I mean if Villarreal kept him for so long, I was surprised he didn't get picked by a team in spain.
He got to sign with an MLS club as a teenager with only a few reserve appearances to his name. That's a pretty good opportunity; I don't know whether he could have gotten a better one at that point in his career.
IMO, his 'style' did not fit where he was playing at the time. Revolution. He was better off at a team like RSL or even DCU at taht time. I hope he can find himself a place to play. Always thought he was pretty talented (based on the limited video I could see of the kid).
Yes, I agree the Revs under Nichol were not the type of team that allowed creative players to thrive. It was evident back then when Dempsey started playing there he would only come on as a sub, and if you saw him during those limited minutes, you knew he was a difference maker but confused why he was not starting. If an attacking midfielder that is creative and has individual skill like Sebastian Velasquez could play for RSL, then Manzonelli could fit in there too. I had hoped DCU picked up Manzonelli off waivers but they didn't and instead picked up some real scrubs over the years. Teams where Manzonelli could thrive in MLS: DCU, KC, RSL.
3 goals in 5 matches is a good rate even with limited experience. It would have been a great opportunity for him to get some playing time and finally have a team. He left NE back in 2008 so it's been a while....still he's only 22, he will turn 23 in December. I wonder if he ever got his Italian passport. I'd have to look into it but I believe the Maltese leagues have non-EU player limits. I could be wrong though. From an old article from 2005 Not sure if it had anything to do with Manzonelli not signing but just a thought. http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2005/03/13/t13.html
Well looks like he has resurfaced back with the Atlanta Silverbacks. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_Silverbacks#Current_roster Glad he didn't give up on his dream.
Yea. Always good to see. Talented.....but always made me wonder why he had so much trouble finding a club. His Wiki' said he had trouble getting a Work Permit as his goal was to play in europe again.
