GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Like his more renowned older brother Michael, Kevin Hoyos is trying to reconnect with his past. And that may include a move back to the US national team fold and Major League Soccer, the Argentine-American claims.
The 20-year-old attacking midfielder is enjoying a breakout campaign for CD Victoria of the Honduran top flight while on loan from Argentine club Estudiantes de La Plata, and says his move to Central America may be a stopping-off point on his way back home.
“The possibility of playing for [the USMNT] always exists,” the Fountain Valley, Calif., native said in an interview this week with Honduran daily Tiempo. "There was already an opportunity and, if one day the chance comes up [again], I’m going to take advantage."
Older brother Michael – a former Argentine U-20 who is also currently on loan from Estudiantes to OFI Crete of Greece’s first division – similarly told MLSsoccer.com in July that his goal is a call-up to the USMNT.
The Hoyos brothers moved with their family from Southern California to Argentina in their teens and quickly found places with Estudiantes, rising through the youth ranks to the reserve team-level until both pursued loan opportunities this past summer for more first-team minutes. And there could be a bigger homecoming in the cards for both.
According to Kevin, both brothers have been in talks with an MLS club about a move back north.
“I can’t say the team’s name out of respect,” Kevin Hoyos told Honduran daily La Prensa. “I came to Honduras to play while something gets defined there [in MLS]."
So far, Hoyos is certainly making an impact in his new home. He has scored four goals in his first three games for Victoria, despite their early elimination from the CONCACAF Champions League.
He will get perhaps the best chance he’s ever had to impress on Thursday when Victoria travel to already-advanced Club Tijuana for their final CCL group-stage match.
Tom Marshall covers Americans playing in Latin America for MLSsoccer.com. E-mail him at tom.marshall.mex@gmail.com.
