This offseason, most players in Argentina who have options abroad are going to try to leave. You can't stay in a place with 100% inflation. You're contract becomes worthless in a few months. Don't read too much into one tweet. There are probably a ton of factors that when into his decision that don't fit into 250 characters. But I'd bet consistent minutes and paycheck stability was probably the driving factor - which is big for most players. Yes, Mihailovic was called up in June and I don't buy it that if he was called up in June he'd likely be going to Qatar. He wasn't called up in September and he's been very good for the better part of 2 years. I'd wager a considerable sum that the clubs most after Sonora were in Liga MX or elsewhere in South America. He has a decent resume but isn't young at 24.
Perception is reality, and it's not. Berhalter hasn't shown interest in Miazga since he returned to MLS. Same things for Moore (for a real camp) & Gioacchini. In fact he's throttled back on Moore. And Fredo Morales wasn't getting any opportunities when he was solid for NYCFC. So if players have this perception, it's not backed up empirically. Actually the opposite has occurred. That's on players for not doing their research, as well as fans who pop off anyway. Sonora may be an exception because he wasn't a failure in 2nd or 1st rate leagues like they were. That means there's a ceiling to their play. They're like a 4A player in baseball. Whereas players on the rise in the minors are real prospects. May or may not perform in the bigs. Same thing for a star in Japan who gets paid. That's a Zimmerman type, who makes almost 2 and a half million a year, which is more than Brooks or even Otamendi, Benfica's actual starter. Yet, some still have a blanket archaic attitude about individual MLS players, in spite of circumstances like this, or naturally starting their career there, and their actual NT performance. The one advantage MLS players do have is January camp, as a fringe player, w/ a limited opportunity once a year, and then to work their way up from there. It's a built-in one that exists w/ every manager. Klinsmann more than offset due to his blind prejudice ala Adam. And he was ultimately a failure of a manager. As far as what Sonora will do in MLS, I don't he'll be a smash hit. He's not that type of player who sees things the vast majority don't, is some dribbling dynamo, or has next-level physical tools. He's an all arounder. So he's not a 1:1 replacement for Mihailovic, who has super vision. He's a cog in a wheel, maybe even one of your more important ones. This could have made him solid in another top league, maybe that's nominally even moderately better than MLS, like Portugal. That could have been a better call for his career. As a DP or big GAM guy expected to be your creative engine like Mihailovic or Zelarayan, I think he could wind up underwhelming.
Latest on Alan: Arch Bell @ArchBell UPDATE: USMNT prospect Alan Sonora training with Independiente until his contract expires on the 31st. Montreal deal never came to pass. Has an offer from Liga MX, but still aiming for MLS. Hopeful of a USMNT call-up for January camp.
Some speculation he will stay in Argentina: TyC Sports @TyCSports Soñora, without a team and does he resume talks with #Independiente? The midfielder was released at the end of December and was sounded out by Colón, as well as MLS.
Interest from San Lorenzo in Argentina: https://lafiguradelacancha.com/2023/01/16/san-lorenzo-tras-los-pasos-de-alan-sonora/
Argentina is still at 95% inflation and Sonora is 24 years old. It would suck for him to have to settle for one of his prime year contracts to be in a country where it’s impossible to make any money. World Cup champs? Sure. Place to play your prime years? No way
is there seriously no MLS team that will sign him? he stated he really wants MLS,.....surprised by this, big time MLS is dying for any and all argies it can get...and won;t sign one with US eligibility??? what gives?
Coming in for the January USMNT camp. Papa Sonora is happy. Just off the phone with former MLS player Diego 'Chiche' Sonora and father of Alan Sonora. They're ecstatic about Alan's USMNT call-up. "Estamos re contentos!" Proud moment for him.— Arch Bell (@ArchBell) January 18, 2023
Interview before the US camp: http://www.americansoccernow.com/ar...otional-after-usmnt-call-up-it-s-a-huge-honor
Michele Giannone @MicheleG3 Alan Soñora tells me what @ArchBell already reported weeks ago, no deal was reached with Montreal. He has offers from teams in MLS, México and Brasil; but priority would be to sign in MLS and hopes to have it resolved as fast as possible after the USMNT camp is over.
Looks like the brothers may be signing in Mexico? https://www.am.com.mx/superdeportiv...el-sorona-llegaran-como-refuerzos-646262.html (registration required) Alan and Joel Soñora have everything agreed to be reinforcements for Bravos de Juárez and this Tuesday they will arrive in Mexico to begin the medical examinations and, after signing, be officially announced.
FC Juarez. Hmmm…. I would have expected MLS before Liga MX. Decent mid-table Liga MX club that may push for a playoff spot. I think Ventura Alvarado is think as well.
On the surface, it's a terrible choice. Firstly, league-wise, it's a moderate step down competitively, if anything. It may be trending better than Argentina, but Sonora was there under their prior circumstance. Secondly, LigaMX haven't earned a rep as sellers. So you got to figure Liga MX/MLS is the highest he's going to go now. Thirdly, the club's he's going to is not very talented for the league. That's bad for his possession style. And just for general winning desires. Fourthly, it positions himself poorly for the national team not in our manager's eye all the time, and w/ the ability to get released in the non FIFA windows. Finally, Juarez is a really dangerous city. If this indeed goes down, you wonder if this is a sacrifice for his brother, or just a desire to play with him. It's bad for his career, though.
It's official: ¡Bienvenidos a la mejor frontera! 💚🐴😎Hora de dar todo por estos colores. 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻#ContigoMásBravos pic.twitter.com/ISCB8sgImW— FC Juárez (@fcjuarezoficial) February 7, 2023
In the squad for the next match (no Joel, but there is a Ventura): ¡Estos son mis Bravos convocados para la jornada 7️⃣!#ContigoMásBravos pic.twitter.com/4nRUvBUHS1— FC Juárez (@fcjuarezoficial) February 13, 2023
Makes his Liga MX debut: FC Juárez @fcjuarezoficial 0-0 | 55' Cambio de mis Bravos. ⬆️ Alan Soñora ⬇️ @ToroFernandez26 #ContigoMásBravos
He’ll be out of Argentina’s brutal economy, which is a step up. The window by which to earn money in this sport is very small. You have to get it while you can.
Soñoran Desert: Alan and Joel Brave Juarez Not very positive, but Juarez is a grim place. I haven’t been down there in years, but its a tough place for people to live. I wonder if they are living in El Paso?
From the song Mexican Divorce (written by Burt Bacharach & Bob Hilliard in 1961) "Down below El Paso lies Juarez Mexico is different, like a travel folder says Cross the Rio Grande and you will find An old adobe house Where you leave your past behind One day married, next day free Broken hearts for you and me Takes no time for you to get a Mexican divorce"
Subs on: 🐴0-0🦁 | 72'Cambio de mis Bravos.⬆️ Alan Soñora⬇️ @RodriguezChaka #ContigoMásBravos pic.twitter.com/1HK9bCLPT4— FC Juárez (@fcjuarezoficial) February 18, 2023
Subs on: FC Juárez @fcjuarezoficial 1-0| 67' Cambio de mis Bravos. ⬆️ Alan Soñora y Diego Chávez. ⬇️ @agus_urzi y Javier Nevárez. #ContigoMásBravos