The Kansas City Wizards preseason trip to Argentina has netted Curt Onalfo's side another attacking player, as Eloy Colombano has joined fellow countryman Carlos Marinelli at the club as a youth international just in time for a playoff push.
"It's very difficult in this league to get young players from foreign countries," said Wizards technical director Peter Vermes. "Usually if a guy is really, really good, he ends up going to somewhere in Europe, so that's the exciting part there. The other part is that he [fits in] two places on the field -- forward and outside right midfield. He's very fast. He reminds me ability-wise and the way he runs and gets off the ball of [Claudio] Caniggia. He can strike the ball with both his right and left foot as well."
Vermes saw the 24-year-old Colombano, who has played for Defensa y Justicia and LP Estudiantes in Argentina since 2001, twice while in South America, and he feels the addition is unique.
"He adds something a little different, being a young guy, and he has a lot to prove because he had played in the first division but was playing in the second division when we found him," said Vermes. "He definitely has the desire and hunger -- I really like his work ethic. He stays after practice and spends a lot of time working on different parts of his game."
Standing at a diminutive 5-foot-8, Colombano packs a lot of speed and punch as well, something that he and others from Argentina a perfect fit for the physical challenge of MLS.
"They play with a lot of passion, and they do it for 90 minutes," Vermes said. "Even though a lot of Argentineans, stature-wise, are a little bit smaller than European guys, they know how to use their bodies extremely well. So physically, they can work well in our league."
Colombano will wear No. 16 and will be expected to get behind defenses and finish off chances as he adds depth to a team that has the second-best attack in the league but is looking to secure a playoff berth.
"For me, it's great because he has a lot of speed [and is] able to make plays," said Marinelli.
Having trained previously with the team during his trial period and arriving during a bye week in the Wizards schedule will allow Colombano a chance to acclimate to his teammates before their August 19 rematch with conference leading New England. Last Thursday, K.C. dropped an away match against the Revolution, 2-0.
"He's a guy we can bring in off the bench to spark the team or he can be a guy who starts a game. It's just a matter of how he adapts and how his teammates react," said head coach Curt Onalfo.
With assistance from Marinelli, Colombano's adjustment is going well. He was also happy to hear that the members of one of the Wizards supporters' groups, the Cauldron, have already began to create chants for the new arrival.
"I'm very happy. The love and support I am getting, I want to display on the field," said Colombano through an interpreter. "I want to do well. I want the team to do well by bringing home a championship, and I want to be here in the U.S. and have an impact on MLS."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
