From www.pennstatesoccer.com Former Penn State All-America Ricardo Villar has signed a professional contract with SV Wustenrot Salzburg of the Austrian Bundesliga. The Brazilian born midfielder was a 1999 NSCAA First Team All-America while leading the Nittany Lions to a 19-4-1 season and a trip to the NCAA "Elite 8." After sitting out 2000 with an injury, Villar was named one of 11 MVP's in Division 1 by Soccer America. Villar currently holds the record for assists in a season (13), sits 2nd all-time in assists (31) and 10th all-time in points (85). In 2002 Villar was drafted by the Dallas Burn of Major League Soccer (MLS). Following his stint with the Burn, Villar moved on to play for the Hampton Road Mariners (A-League) and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (A-League), where, he would garner All-League honors.
Villar is wearing #10 so I think that's a sign he'll get lots of run. I always felt his Brazilian citizenship is what killed his MLS career, no team would use a foreign slot on him and I guess he couldn't get a green card. He always drove me nuts with some of his, shall we say, "gamesmanship," but he is a very talented footballer. It'll be interesting to see how he does in Austria. Also, is this a sign that the Austrian league is on par with MLS/A-League? I don't know much about the league so I'd welcome any opinions on the quality of play there. In any case, it's nice to see a former Penn Stater have a promising professional career.