For those who don't know Roger Espinoza's story well, they may just know him as the Sporting Kansas City midfielder who also plays for the Honduran national team.
While Espinoza does play for Honduras, his career is very much rooted in the American dream, as a fateful move from Honduras to the United States when he was just 11 changed his life forever and has helped him eventually fulfill many of his biggest dreams.
Here is my Fox Soccer feature on Espinoza and his special story. Be sure to give it a read and let me know what you think.
Share your thoughts below.
2-2 result against Guadalajara is better than what Madrid could pull olff…
Hondurans are good peeps
Actually, a reasonable number carry both flags into the games when they are played in the US. I’ve seen Guatemalan and US flags as well as Mexican and US flags tied together on the same pole.
You’re really misinterpreting Roger. His play isnt meant to be malicious. He is just a competitor and is also young and that leads him to make some bad decisions in the heat of play. There is a difference between a guy being a dirty player and just making poor tackles in the heat of battle. Roger does the later.
No he’s not. Roger isn’t dirty. All of his bad tackles are just poor poor decisions, mental mistakes. If you watch them, theres no dirty intent, its just Roger going for a 50-50 ball with full force. He has said himself that he never intends to hurt anyone, he can just be way too overeager to go after the ball.
Good call. Espinoza is one of the, if not the, dirtiest players in MLS.
Definitely had to give the evil eye to some Honduras fans at the Gold Cup semis who were cheering for Panama and laughing…lol.
“all Hondurans support the US”
what a crock? when was the last time we saw significant presence of Hondurans or other thankful immigrants for that matter at US games?
I remember that, and a bloody mess it was for sure, it ruined Valentin’s chance of making any impact with Galaxy. Thugs survive, shameful but true.
a dirty player who permanently rearranged my face with a high boot in that NCAA final.
sing the anthem corresponding to your shirt. to sing your opponents’ anthem sounds like an opportunity for an unflattering viral video.
I’m curious how dual citizens treat the national anthems when they play against their second country. I know that I would give the accepted sign of respect to both countries–e.g., hand on heart for Star Spangled Banner, etc.
But how does that work in practice? What did Espinoza do? What will all the Germans do if the USA plays Germany?
Dude is a hack. Nothing but a hack. He is “Brian Mullan” incarnate… broken bones are just waiting to happen.
Excellent job Ives. Great story.
Always enjoy the human interest pieces where you get to know a player a little bit better.
haHA!
Ives Wonderful moving article. This is the America that was, is and always will be. Hats off to Roger Espinoza and best wishes to him
Nice article Ives.
I have seen so too many cases where immigrant’s dreams go unfulfilled, it is nice to read a story that has a good ending.
Great piece. I can appreciate how he felt about both the US and Honduras.
Immigrants….. >: – )
great story. Go Buckeyes.
Ives, I almost sent you an email about this. I really liked this article. Maybe it’s just because I get all warm and fuzzy inside about “american dream” pieces, but I thought this was really well written and, in a way, inspiring.
Great article, Love to hear about anyone achieving the american dream. Best of luck to him.
Is the American dream lots of bad tackles that should be yellow cards…