With a pedigree that includes time as a scout for Chelsea FC, Jorge Alvial brings a lot of experience to his role as an assistant coach for FC Dallas. Since being hired by the MLS club some two months ago, Alvial has already made solid contributions for the Hoops on a number of levels -- and is excited for what the future will bring.
"I'm delighted to be here," Alvial said. "I think it (Pizza Hut Park) is a great complex. We have a bunch of very good players and very solid players. I'm really looking forward to seeing us doing something completely different this year."
Alvial was born in Iquique, Chile and has played, coached and scouted abroad, including in his home country. So, forgive him if he likes the rock-solid group of South American talent that FCD head coach Steve Morrow has assembled.
"I think it's a great core," he said. "Usually when you go to teams that have players from different countries, they get into groups but here, it's just a big family. I think that's going to get us very far. I've always preached that if a team becomes a family, it doesn't matter where you're from, you have a very good chance of doing something good in the season."
One added perk for Alvial has been that his 16-year-old son, Javier, who is home schooled, has gotten to train with FCD on a regular basis.
"It's a pleasure having my son around," Alvial admitted. "I'm sure every father who has a son feels the same way. I've been able to take him everywhere that I've been, Chelsea, Boca Juniors, South America, Brazil and so on. It's been a blessing for me. It's exciting because he loves the game and tries to adapt to everything that is there. I appreciate Steve (Morrow) and the rest of the FC Dallas staff for letting him also train here. It's a great experience."
And the younger Alvial, who has been readily accepted into the FCD fold by the players, also knows how fortunate he is to get to work with his father.
"It's a great experience," Javier Alvial said. "It's really fun. When my dad got this job, I was really happy because I knew that I would get to play here too once in a while. When he was working for Chelsea, I would train with them. That was a really lucky experience. I'm a really lucky kid."
Alvial holds a number of different responsibilities, including running various drills during practices but one of his most unique experiences since coming to FCD has been his involvement in Dallas Sueno MLS 2008.
He worked closely with FCD director of youth development Chris Clarke in paring the field of competitors down from 2,000 to 60. The following week, Alvial announced the names of the final 18 remaining in the competition. He admits that being involved in Sueno has been a unique and great experience at the same time.
"I think it's a great idea and it should be for every kid," he said. "Everyone should have the same chance. It will help us to recruit youth players for our system. I'm excited. I think it's a good opportunity for kids to show what they've got. I've seen a couple of players that I can see have a great future."
While Alvial has played, coached or scouted around the world, he admits that it's tough to compare the training methods employed by FCD compared to those he has seen in other locales around the globe.
"It's tough to compare because the levels are different," he said. "I also believe that every coach has their own way of coaching. The coaching here is done very well. The staff is working together, communicating and helping each other. I will give Steve (Morrow) my input and he will give me his. We will also share with Marco (Ferruzzi) and with Drew (Keeshan), the goalkeeper coach."
His new boss has clearly liked what he has seen from his new assistant thus far. "It's been good," Morrow said. "He's got a lot of qualities and has been with a big team as well. He brings a lot of experience. So far, it's been good."
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
