As MLS Cup defending champions Seattle Sounders prepare to take on Mexican outfit Necaxa at the Century Link Field on Saturday at 7pm PST, our focus shifts to the visitors and what they have to offer in this clash. Speaking of the match itself, it will offer the best opportunity for the hosts to field players who have so far been unused by coach Brian Schmetzer.
But they should expect a tough opposition from the visitors. The Liga MX boasts of a number of lethal players who are somewhat unpopular in the Stateside. But one particular player, Fabian Espindola stands out.
The 31-year-old boasts of a wide range of experience, having started his youth career at Boca Juniors in Argentina, his country of birth. He then played for Talleres, Aucas and Deportivo Quito before shifting to the Stateside in 2007, where he signed for Real Salt Lake.
Espindola (front) in action for Real Salt Lake vs Toronto FC in the MLS
He is well-remembered for his famous backflip celebration whenever he scored a goal. On Septemer 6, 2008 against La Galaxy, one of his trademark backlips backfired when he celebrated a goal that was later ruled offside, and ended up injurying his ankle thus spending eight weeks on the sidelines.
He was later released by the club in 2009 and then signed for Venezuelan outfit Deportivo Anzoategui, where he found the back of the net thrice in five games. He then returned to his former club Salt Lake in April 2009, where he scored 28 goals in 101 league appearances. He was part of the Salt Lake side that won the MLS Cup in November 2009.
And that was the beginning of his journey in MLS; he later signed for New York Red Bulls, D.C. United, and eventually joined the Liga MX outfit. He now returns to the United States to face Seattle Sounders, a club he played against when D.C. United lost 2-0 on July 1, 2016.
Espindola made 28 appearances for the Red Bulls and scored nine goals
The South American player celebrates his late goal for D.C. United against Columbus Crew SC in the MLS last summer
Against Sounders, he had a few well-taken shots that night but most of them were off-target. And now, by virtue of being the player of the most experience against MLS outfits in the current Necaxa squad, this could be his moment to steal the show.
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