What Silverbacks midfielder Junior Sandoval calls a dream, coach Eric Wynalda said may become a reality.
Sandoval is the team’s leading scorer with two goals in three games. The Silverbacks (1-2) will host Ottawa on Saturday.
“I’m working on getting better and getting to the next level,” he said. “That’s my next step. I’ll keep working until I reach that next step.”
That next step is either MLS, or preferably Mexico, where he always has dreamed of playing.
“It would fit my style,” he said. “I’m very technical. It’s very competitive. I know I can play there. I’m going to work and see if I can get the chance to go there one day.”
Wynalda said that chance may come soon.
“Mexico’s not a dream, that’s very reasonable,” Wynalda said. “Someone just needs to take a chance on him like we did.”
Sandoval grew up in Honduras before his family moved to Alpharetta to seek a better life in the early 2000s. Sandoval arrived not knowing anyone and didn’t speak English.
A friend invited him to practice with a local soccer club, Alliance. He joined the club and then starred at Centennial High. He enrolled at Georgia Perimeter College and, with 12 assists and five goals, helped them to the national championship game as a freshman in 2009.
“He led the team on the field and off with his desire to win,” coach Marc Zagara said. “He was the best player to ever come through here and we have had 16 players play professionally after us.”
Sandoval signed with Puerto Rico in 2010 and was loaned to the Silverbacks in 2011. He scored two goals with two assists in 15 appearances before being recalled by Puerto Rico. His performances led him to signing with one of the biggest clubs in Honduras, CD Marathon.
Things begin to deteriorate last year. Sandoval said he wasn’t getting paid and he was losing playing time. He began looking for other opportunities.
Thousands of miles away, Wynalda was searching for talent for the Silverbacks. He was reviewing film of previous teams, and Sandoval stood out.
“People put a lot of emphasis on tactics and strategy, but the reality is, can you make something happen out of nothing,” Wynalda asked. “If it all breaks down, if the ball is bouncing around, can you get there first and do something with it?”
Wynalda said Sandoval can.
“He recognizes space really well,” Wynalda said. “Most guys will float around looking to connect passes. He’s got an eye for how he can make things happen.”
An example of that came in last week’s win against Tampa.
While studying film, Wynalda and his assistants noticed that when the ball is one of side of the field, Tampa’s defense tended to pinch in, leaving space on the flanks.
Early in the game, that situation occurred.
With the ball on one side, Sandoval, standing on the other side of the field, instinctively broke toward the goal.
Blair Gavin sent a looping pass toward Sandoval, who looked up and saw the goalkeeper coming out. Sandoval caught up with the ball just inside corner of the penalty box and one-timed a volley past the goalkeeper into the far corner for an NASL goal-of-the-week nominee.
Wynalda has lots of contact in Mexican soccer and wants to help Sandoval achieve his dream.
“Hard part about my job, you bring them in, but you have to tell fans you can’t get too used to them,” he said. “If it all works out, he will be in Mexico within a year.”
About the Author
