Here's one out of the blue. From U.S. Soccer: CHICAGO (Oct. 20, 2012) – U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team head coach Richie Williams has added Argentinean-American Joel Soñora to the team’s roster for its trip to South America from Oct. 21-27.Soñora currently plays for Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires and is expected to join the team for its international friendly against Uruguay on Sunday, Oct. 21, and will remain with the team for the duration of the trip.Born in the U.S. in 1996. His dad was, and I suppose still is, this guy: http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/diego-sonora http://www.ussoccer.com/News/U-17-M...-In-Additional-Player-for-Argentina-Trip.aspx
His Papa was certainly one of the better players in the infancy of MLS. I believe Senior played a long time with Boca Jrs, too. I though I read not too long ago Sonora was living and coaching youth in the Tampa area but that could have been someone else. Nonetheless, I know nothing of Joel but its great to see USSF still searching the globe far and wide for American talent. Plus, the Boca academy isn't shabby. Another Yank, Nicolas Gaitan, is there, right? That could be the connection.
Picture with Boca roster here, apparently from a U-17 cup: http://www.komunikar.com.mx/copasub17/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=91
Damn you can certainly see the similarities between him and his Papa. http://metrofanatic.com/team/player.jsp?ID=55
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...el-sonora-mystery-man-richie-williams-us-team Sonora was named to Richie Williams' U-17 WC Qualifying squad that kicks off Sunday vs. Haiti followed by matches aginst Costa Rica, and Pananma. A couple of excerpts from the MLS article:
Interestingly enough, his younger brother Alan, a '98, also plays for Boca Jrs. And he was born in the States, too: http://www.ole.com.ar/boca-juniors/futbol/Sonora-senores_0_835716453.html
The line about Sonora excelling at the Al Kass Cup is a little deceptive. He sat the bench for nearly the whole tournament and only played the 3rd place match because Boca cleared its bench. Even then, he was taken off in the first substitutions. http://alkassinternationalcup.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/AlKassCup2013-MatchSummary-25.pdf Of course, that's less a knock on Sonora than a reflection of his age (a 96 at a tournament for 95s).
The elder Sonora was a good RB/right mid in MLS. Was a multiple all-star and won the Open Cup with Dallas and MLS Cup 99 with DC. Had Diego been US-eligible, based on his MLS performances he likely would have gotten capped by the US. If his son is as good as his dad, the US has itself a good player.
He was an excellent d mid for DCU when he was there briefly, and a legend at Boca as he was there when they were VERY successful in the early 90s. Had good touch, tackling, passing, and vision from the d mid position. Also worked really well with Etcheverry. Had the set up pass off of a Miami Fusion corner to a waiting etcheverry at the half way line looking to catch their keeper standing out of the top of the box to score from half field. One of my favorite goals. Apparently a play they did in practice a TON!
http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...-usa-3-u-17-concacaf-championship-match-recap http://www.ussoccer.com/News/U-17-MNT/2013/04/U17-MNT-Opens-With-Win.aspx Joel made his US debut today, playing 29 minutes, after coming on for Alan Winn in the Yanks 3-0 win over Haiti. It was the opening match in CONCACAF's U-17 W.C. Qualification tourney in Panama.
Same thing I saw of him when USA played Argentina. Skillful, and has promise. Really cool too that his dad is Diego Sonora.
Yeah, I always figured the kids of foreign MLS players would play for the US and the YNTs and in MLS but I never imagined the first two to have their progeny do it would be Alex Bunbury and Diego Sonora.. (Was kind of hoping for El Pibe, Jr. and one of the myriad Moreno kids.)
I can settle for the Moreno's or the Etcheverry's but the best could have been...... well George Best's kid, Callum. He took a page out of his old man's book --- it just didn't involve football --- it involves celebrity, fashion and womanizing. Though, I think he left the drinking out!
I think Moreno's son is in england playing youth soccer at a club team. His mom is english, so if he does become good, he'll always have that going for him.
Probably should open another thread but wanted folks who might know a bit about Argentinian football. Speaking of Argentine-American brothers, does anybody know what happened to the Hoyos brothers? I believe at least one of them was at Estudiantes de la Plata but both of them seemed to have dropped off the radar.
Been pretty quiet since the car accident two years ago. They do have a thread you can check if you want specifics.
Piece on Joel on Marca today http://www.marca.com/2013/04/11/futbol/futbol_internacional/estados_unidos/1365701744.html