Jorge Alvial to Join FC Dallas Staff
January 10th, 2008 . 9:40 am . By: Buzz Carrick
This week on the FCD blog they mention a possible new assistant coaching hire, Jorge Alvial. FCD hoped to finalize a deal with him this week. Our own sources now indicate the deal is done and Alvial will be announced as a new assistant coach Friday. But just who is Jorge Alvial? Most recently Alvial’s been Chelsea’s Chief Scout for North, Central and South America. Long time FCD fans will recall him from the Dallas Burn trip to Chile, the first trip on which yours truly tagged along thanks to then GM Andy Swift. Alvial was the Chile trip organizer and had an immense number of contacts in the area. I found he to be personable, friendly, intelligent, and in possession a good soccer eye. My greatest area of concern with the departure of Pareja was the contacts and scout network he was tapped into in South America. This hire would go a long way to easing my fears as Alvial’s got fantastic North and South American connections that will serve FCD well. I discussed many a player with Alvial on that trip and he had some great insights and stories to tell. At the time of the Chile trip Jorge Alvial was working with the ODP program in Florida.  He’s a former goalkeeper for Catolica and the Washington Diplomats. Along the way he served as an assistant coach and national scout for Universidad Catolica and as head coach for the Puerto Rican Islanders. The blog mentioned a player Alvial scouted and signed for Chelsea, an 18 year old from Audax Ilaliano. The Burn played Audax Italiano on their preseason trip to Chile, a game arranged by Alvial. Given his background, it’s not surprising that Alvial is bilingual. Prior to Pareja joining the FCD staff, the need for a pure native Spanish speaker was something we felt the staff needed. It’s a secondary concern to the South American connections, but Alvial should be able to fill that same role as Pareja’s replacement. I don’t think one can underestimate the value of a cultural and linguistic connection for international player. It helps create a comfort zone and eases the transition into a new culture.
15 Comments Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI Leave a comment |
Thanks Buzz…this is great news. Should ease the pain of losing the great Oscar. I agree completely on the high value of the cultural & language connections. Two great signings in a row, in my opinion.
Kinda looks like Dave Dir in that second pic.
This sounds like a great signing.
“It’s a secondary concern to the South American connections, but Alvial should be able to fill that same role as Pareja’s replacement. I don’t think one can underestimate the value of a cultural and linguistic connection for international player. It helps create a comfort zone and eases the transition into a new culture.”
I wondered . . . because it was obvious that Pareja mentored Toja, just as one example, last season. One of my last photos from 2007 is of Toja and Pareja walking off the field together after the 10/27 win.
I think a bilingual coach for this team is definitely needed.
Cool!
He does look like Dir there.
So is he just a coach, a coach and a scout, a technical director?
His connections should help a lot
assistant coach.
like OP was just there to assist?
he’s got wayne newton hair.
Maybe Morrow will let him get water, and pick up players when they come in to the airport. You know. Just assist him. Like Oscar did.
…make that david hasselhoff hair
So Buzz, when Morrow gets fired do they bring back our beloved Papi or does this guy get the job? It doesn’t sound like he has too much practical coaching experience.
Well Russ, that’s a little ahead of things.
But certainly one reason Oscar went to the 17s was to broaden both his resume and his knowledge of the US game… to make himself a better coach. He also would love to come back here some day.
Buzz, you didn’t mention Alvial’s involvement with the Jacksonville Cyclones? booooooooo.
[...] scout joins FCD 3rd Degree » Archive » Jorge Alvial to Join FC Dallas Staff FC DALLAS UPDATES – The Official FC Dallas Blog: Chelsea Scout Jorge Alvial to FCD? FC DALLAS [...]