MLS all-time top-scorer Jeff Cunningham is back north of the border and has signed with NASL outfit San Antonio Scorpions, after a five-month spell with Guatemala's Comunicaciones.
Cunningham (above) is determined to stamp his mark on the Texas club, a team currently in first position in the NASL with an average attendance of more than 8,000.
“Hopefully I can work my way in and help the club win a championship,” Cunningham told MLSsoccer.com by phone on Monday evening.
The former US international cited his longstanding relationship with Scorpions president Michael Hitchcock, from his FC Dallas days, and coach Tim Hankinson as one of the reasons he joined the NASL club. San Antonio also count several former MLSers on their roster, including Ryan Cochrane, Kevin Harmse and Aaron Pitchkolan among others.
“I've worked with Michael in Dallas and coach Hankinson, so they are familiar with me and I also have some former teammates there, so it's going to be familiar faces and it's a good group,” Cunningham said.
The 35-year-old laments not having stayed longer in Guatemala after Comunicaciones didn't pick up an option to extend his contract, but believes it was a blessing in disguise.
“I think they wanted to go in a different direction, which was OM with me because I loved the club and the people there, but at times it was difficult with the language and not having my family,” Cunningham admitted.
Cunningham says he's kept in shape since leaving Guatemala and doesn't believe it will be long before he's fully match fit and ready to help San Antonio in their quest for the NASL title.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
