MLS Clubs Looking At Honduran Players

More and more clubs seem to be catching on to the idea that there are good players in other CONCACAF countries. Honduras is definitely one of those countries with lots to offer for the MLS.

A couple reports over the weekend say that more and more MLS clubs are looking into players from clubs in Honduras. Clubs and even the players saw just what Luciano Emilio did for DC United last season. Players mentioned to a possible MLS move (either before the end of this month or sometime this summer) are Emilio Izaguirre, Jorge Claros, Luis Rodas and Victor Bernardez of CD Motagua and Oscar Boniek García of Club Olimpia. (More details on each below)

All the players are represented by the same agent that helped get Emilio a deal with DC last year. The agent is doing his job to get himself more money and getting these players in a better league with more money like the MLS will certainly help out. It only makes sense to get more of his clients into the league after his first couple did well (though Carlos Pavon didn’t pan out like many hoped, he represents him as well).

Reports say that several clubs are interested in signing these players. Go ahead and take a stab at which clubs that would be. Several probably meaning four or five so my pure guess is San Jose, Chivas, Columbus, and Toronto. Though I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see New England, Chicago and New York interested in some players as well. New England was in talks with some Honduran players a couple months back.

Another Motagua player, Brazilian Jocimar, is possibly headed to Columbus Crew. Columbus Technical Director Bryan Bliss is looking at the 29-year-old forward. According to Honduran media, Bliss is currently in Honduras and was present at Motagua’s CONCACAF Champion’s Cup match last week.

Columbus obviously needs some help at the striker position so this move makes perfect sense if it goes through. For the Crew’s sake I hope it happens because the last Brazilian to come from Honduras (Emilio) panned out really nicely for his club and the league.

Steve Goff has also mentioned the Crew being interested in Olimpia forward Allan dos Santos as well.

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As promised some homework on the players mentioned above. (many thanks to Wikipedia…yes, my spanish is terrible so I wouldn’t even try too many other sites to find out more on these guys)

Emilio Izaguirre – a 21-year-old wing-back/midfielder. Played for the Honduran national side in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships in Holland. During his time with the senior national team, he has 17 caps and one goal to his name since 2007. Other than that he is still very young and is strong with his left foot, something I would love to see in this league, a strong left flank player. Probably could see New England and Toronto be interested in this kid.

Jorge Claros – a 22-year-old midfielder. Also played for the same 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship team as Izaguirre. He has seen 15 caps for the national team side and in that time has scored 1 goal. Not a lot of dirt on this kid, he has a pretty high jersey number for Motagua so I kind of get the feeling he sees a lot of reserve team action and not full team play. Just a guess though. Possibly New England and Toronto would be interested in him.

Jorge Claros – a 23-year-old striker. Has played on every level of the Honduran national team and made his senior national team debute against El Salvador. He’s a striker so I would easily say that Columbus, San Jose and Toronto would be interested in him.

Victor Bernardez – a 25-year-old defender. Played on the Honduran national side that played in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. He has 24 caps for the national side with one goal. Easily could see Toronto, Columbus and maybe even a New York be interested in his services.

Oscar Boniek García – a 23-year-old defender/midfielder. Has been a regular on the national team since 2005 where he has had 27 caps for his country. Since he can play in the midfield and in defense you could easily see him about anywhere in this league.

More coming in a bit…and I should have a KC Wizards preview on here sometime today for you all…