By IVES GALARCEP
Carlos Alvarez’s professional debut went about as well as he could have ever imagined.
The Chivas USA rookie came on as a halftime substitute in Sunday’s ‘SuperClasico’ showdown vs. the Los Angeles Galaxy and ended the match by scoring the equalizing goal in a 1-1 draw at Home Depot Center.
Alvarez’s first professional goal made him the pick to be SBI MLS Rookie of the Week. Alvarez beat out Colorado forward Deshorn Brown, Seattle fullback DeAndre Yedlin and New England fullback Andrew Farrell for this week’s honors.
The No. 2 pick in the 2013 MLS Draft, Alvarez had yet to make an appearance for the Goats before Sunday, but showed why Chivas USA made him the second player chosen in the draft.
“Alvarez was a great college soccer player but the MLS’ level is different and he’s adjusting to it,” Chivas USA head coach Jose Luis Sanchez Sola. “He keeps on making the effort day in and day out, but please, let’s talk about Alvarez, the human being, the young guy with big charisma, the guy who today, making his debut in the league, scored his first goal and nonetheless against the Galaxy. Alvarez, the individual who grew up loving this institution, in this city, and as I said, he scored in front of his family, friends, and followers. We, as an institution, should feel fortunate to have him.”
What did you think of Alvarez’s performance? Which rookie impressed you the most in MLS Week Three?
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