Fusion forward Alex Pineda Chacon recorded a piece of Major League Soccer history on Saturday when he scored two goals in a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids.
Not only did Pineda Chacon become the second Honduran native to play in the league (Arnold Cruz of San Jose in 1997 was the other), he became the first to record a goal.
On Monday he also became the first from his country to be named MLS Player of the Week. He became only the second Fusion player to win the award. Diego Serna did it twice in 1998 and once last season.
“It’s a dream come true for him,” Fusion coach Ray Hudson said. “Everybody is delighted for him. The moment called for a hero, and he stood up like a giant.”
Pineda Chacon, who was acquired from Honduran club Olimpia in the offseason, entered the Rapids match for Tim Sahaydak in the 60th minute. Eight minutes into his MLS debut, Pineda Chacon netted his first goal tying the score at one. Four minutes later, Pineda Chacon scored the game winner on an assist from Ivan McKinley.
Pineda Chacon, 31, edged D.C. United midfielder Bobby Convey and San Jose Earthquakes defender Troy Dayak for the weekly award.
MLS diversity
When MLS kicked off its sixth season on Saturday, the league featured a diverse group of players from 33 different countries. The opening day rosters consisted of 18 senior roster players, Project-40 players and Youth Internationals.
Of the 254 roster players on the league’s 12 teams, 81 were born outside of the U.S. Colombia led all countries with 11 players. Bolivia, Canada and Jamaica follow with six players per country. Seven of the league’s 12 head coaches were born outside of the U.S., representing six different nations.
