As I've been watching the Copa Toyota Libertadores on Fox Sports World, I notice former MLS players at almost every turn... Ariel Graziani scores a goal for Barcelona of Ecuador. Eduardo "El Tanque" Hurtado starts up top for El Nacional of Ecuador. Now I'm watching El Gato Fernandez in goal for Bolivar of Bolivia. Any other former MLSers in the competition?
These are the ex MLS players I know of playing in this year's Copa Libertadores: Ariel Graziani (Barcelona) Eduardo Hurtado (El Nacional) Wellington Sanchez (Emelec) Jaime Caicedo (Emelec) * Jose Fernandez (Bolivar) Waldir Saenz (Alianza Lima) *Caicedo was on Los Angeles Galaxy's preseason roster when Octavio Zambarno was the coach. But back then Caicedo was only 17 and this was before MLS gave roster exemptions to young players so LA decided to use the foreign spot on a more experienced player and Caicedo never played a league game for the Galaxy.
Nice to see some old faces... I thought Graziani had a very good game, even aside from the goal. He seemed about as active as I've ever seen him. Hurtado looked to be going about half-speed, but I haven't seen him recently so mabe that's actually his full speed these days. But the commentators said it was extremely hot in Asuncion and almost everyone for El Nacional seemed to be going slow. I remember Gato Fernandez getting injured in that bus attack when Bolivar visited Gimnasia in the Sudamericana last year. He may have looked around for his green card after that. ...and don't forget former Burn 96 player Hugo Sanchez, now coaching Pumas.