Hammarby write today on their website that 18-year old defender Oscar Sorto will be training with the club "to gain valuable experience on this side of the Atlantic".
He's already played in Galaxy reserve matches and, presumably, trained with the first team; it seems pretty indisputable that LA plays at a higher level. I wonder if, apart from a nice "attaboy," this is in part about getting him a look by Hammarby in case the Galaxy isn't interested...
I think it's the other way around. AEG owns both teams, why not see if they can parlay their cheap talent into a nice asset across the pond? A little Euro exposure can go a long way for a young US player.
Man, if I had a dollar for every time I tried to parlay my cheap talent into a nice asset across the pond. Wish it had worked out more often, that's for sure.
A Hammarby blogger who watched him in training today was impressed by Sorto. He writes that Sorto did well in keeping both starting wingers from getting past him and that he showed maturity and stability.
Chris Klein talks about Sorto's trial. http://www.lagalaxy.com/blog/scoops...en-training-stint-rodriguez-joins-german-club
He played a game with the Hammarby U21 team today where they lost 0-3 against Djurgården. Unfortunaly he scored an own goal but the keeper was really the one to blame as he failed to control Sortos back pass. Other then that he seems to have made a positive impression on the Hammarby fans who were there and watched the game.
Apparently he will be playing at Cal State Bakersfield this fall IF he doesn't sign a pro deal first. http://www.gorunners.com/ViewArticl...18&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205414590&DB_OEM_ID=13300
Sorto will be returning to the US today. He played one last game yesterday with the Hammarby U21 team where he again made a good impression on the spectators. To make a yank-to-yank comparison he seems to have outshined Billy Schuler in these two U21 games where they both have played (at least according to the few people who have watched the games). Seems like a a quality young player. One Hammarby blog writes that Sorto is likely to sign a new contract with LA Galaxy but it's unclear if that's something he heard officially or just speculation.
Excellent signing by the Galaxy. Sorto's a wonderful on the ball defender, and will really push Sean Franklin for minutes once he starts getting more comfortable going forward.