A field of more than 2,000 players from more than 36 different states has been narrowed to 12 in Sueno MLS 2009. The 12 finalists who participated in regional tryouts organized by the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chicago Fire and D.C. United are headed to the “Final Event,” where the Sueno champion will be crowned Sunday on “Republica Deportiva,” the popular Univision weekly Spanish-language sports show that will chronicle the tryouts.
CHICAGO WINNERS:
Ricardo Buendia, 16, center back, Cicero, IL
Born in Mexico, Buendia moved to the United States when he was 11. He was identified as one of the scouts’ favorites to be called back for the local finals after the first hour of tryouts. Buendia is a poised defender, and he stands out as a leader on the field.
Josue Chavez, 15, midfield, Elgin, IL
Chavez was born in Florida, though his parents are from Mexico. Great with the ball at his feet, Chavez is the youngest of the four Chicago finalists and started to shine when it mattered most, in the final hours of his tryout.
Alberto Lopez, 17, midfield, Aurora, IL
Lopez’s performance on Sunday was cut short when he left the field with a tight hamstring. However, his play was so impressive that the scouts had already made up their mind and booked his trip to LA.
Steve Palma, 16, forward, Grand Junction, CO
Paul Cadwell, the head of the Fire’s youth development, noticed Palma right away because of his tireless runs off the ball, intuitive movement and direct style of attack.
D.C. UNITED WINNERS:
Cesar Bazan, 23, forward, Derwood, MD
Originally from Peru, Bazan impressed scouts with his confidence and technical skills. Scout Raul Diaz Arce compared his style to French legend Zinedine Zidane.
Max Ferdinand, 22, forward, Reading, PA
Once a participant in Chicago Fire’s pre-season camp, the Haitian’s sensational goal in the second day of the tryouts helped solidify his place as a finalist
Manfredis Hernandez, 19, defender, Mount Rainier, MD
Hernandez is part of the D.C. area’s large Salvadoran community. He showed not only skill, but heart and determination to impress the scouts.
Oussana Maukran, 26, goalkeeper, Alexandria, VA
At 6-foot-5, the Moroccan-born Maukran definitely stood out from the crowd. But it was his skill and on-field leadership that impressed D.C.’s staff. He remained in top form throughout the weekend, earning a unanimous selection from the scouts.
LOS ANGELES GALAXY WINNERS:
Mikon Orellana, 15, attacking midfielder, Provo, Utah
Orellana drove 10 hours from Utah to Los Angeles with his family in order to try out. His family was contemplating driving back to Utah after his Saturday tryout before a phone call to come back and participate in an interview with Univision changed their mind.
Hector Ramos, 18, left back, Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico
A native of Mexican-border town Mexicali, Hector Ramos stayed with his uncle in Indio, Calif., while trying out. It was his uncle who encouraged the youngster to register for Sueno.
Javier Rodriguez, 16, center back, North Las Vegas, NV
Rodriguez and his family drove from Las Vegas to San Bernardino and back on both Saturday and Sunday Rodriguez was obviously unaffected by the road trips as he was one of the four local winners selected by the scouts.
Cesar Silva, 18, forward, Anaheim, Calif.
Cesar Silva is a product of the same youth soccer program (Pumas DSP) that produced the first Sueno MLS winner, Jorge Flores. Having been a part of Atlas Guadalajara’s youth system for eight months last year, the Guadalajara native was one of the more experienced players at the tryouts.