Luis Gil at FK Viktorie Žižkov (Czech Republic)

I see him eventually going to Las Vegas Lights of the USL. Wynalda has made it a congenial gathering place for once were So. Calif. players.

 

Started and played 68 minutes, scored the 2nd goal in a 0-3 victory.

 

Grabbed another goal today. in 3-3 draw. Best bet for more detailed updates about Viktoria Zizkov or highlights is probably the team Facebook page.

 

Was featured on a Czech TV soccer show today. Said happy to be playing for Zizkov in a beautiful city and beautiful country. Says one of biggest challenges here is dealing with the size and strength of the players.... Made a good impression. Here's the link: https://www.ceskatelevize.cz/porady/10115113540-studio-fotbal/219471291122425-studio-fotbal-extra/

 

Plays my team Saturday

 

While no major milestone to report, I will say that all indications are that he is doing well with an improved Zizkov team. I listen to a podcast about my hometown team (since limited viewing options for 2nd division) and in the match report for Zbrojovka vs Viktoria singled him out as looking good for the opposition,

 

Yes indeed, the English language Zbrojovka Brno podcast that nobody asked for. I find some of their takes are dreadfully wrong, but there is still a charm to Brits talking about Czech football and allows me to follow along from afar during the season(s) where we are in the media blackout that is lower divisions.

 

So the FNL (Czech 2nd division) is in its very long winter break now. It normally resumes in late February.

I saw an interview in which he revealed that last summer he trialed with 2 Czech teams, the other was Slovan Liberec a first division side. Sounds like he picked Zizkov as they offered a contract on the spot.

 

Looks like Luis Gil is out of contract again as of June 30. Hasn't played for his Czech club since March 7, despite them resuming play in June. Still only 26.

 

Very strange, he was rated very highly the first half of the season then disappeared after the Covid 19 delay.

 

He suffered an injury. Still in country.

 

Luis now training with FK Pardubice. They were promoted to first division last season.

http://fkpardubice.cz/news/14172/V-sobotu-proti-Jihlave-jiz-s-kapitanem-Jerabkem.html

 

If he sticks there he will be playing in an very odd Czech first division as due to Covid related cancellations we ultimately promoted 2 teams (Pardubice and my team, Brno) but didn't relegate anyone.

FK Pardubice will actually be the first team from Pardubice in the top flight since 1969 but they lead the 2nd division from start to finish more or less last season. They also have a complete stadium rebuild happening so I think next season they may be sharing another teams stadium.

 

Fafa Picault was last American to use Czech league as a springboard - first to Second Bundesliga, then MLS. But he signed for Sparta Prague, a much bigger club. Yet he never played for them.

 

I'm not sure any American has made an impact in our top division but a few have had decent runs in other level (Gil in the 2nd division this season included). That's not really surprising, unless its Sparta, Slavia or Plzen there isn't much reason to play here instead of the in the US, and if you are good enough for those teams you are good enough for a lot of other leagues as well.

 

Nermin Crnkic played a few seasons with Jablonec

 

Bad news. The trial for Gil is over. He's looking apparently for other opportunities here....

 

I think your keyboard might be broken.

 

Honestly, Zizkov may be the favorites for promotion this season so staying wouldn't have been the worst path to first division if it was an option.

 

Steve Trittschuh played one season (1990-91) for Sparta Prague. However, I'm not sure if his 13 appearances qualify as "impact."