Transfer Targets: Alfredo Pacheco

By: Dave Martinez | February 20th, 2009

As you may have read with Almedin and I commenting in the last post, the Red Bulls have their sights on yet another Latino National Team Captain in El Salvador’s Alfredo Pacheco. Widely regarded as an effective ball crosser, dead ball specialist and attacking fullback, Pacheco would be certain to add that extra element of pressure missing in the Bulls backline since the days of Todd Dunivant and Marvell Wynne.

And don’t let the fact that he is a fullback fool you – he has netted 28 goals since his inception in the Salvadorian leagues in 2001. And as a national? 64 appearances, 8 goals.

Not bad.

A WINNING CULTURE

I do admire what Osorio is doing with this team. Prior to this season, the Bulls relied heavily on Van Den Bergh and Juan Pablo Angel to guide the ship to the promised land. With DVB gone, a bit of a leadership gap was created. The idea would be that Jorge Rojas, Captain of the Venezuelan National squad, would fill in those large shoes.

Another leadership gap was created when Jeff Parke took off. In came Osorio and Agoos and swooped down on former Metro great, Mike Petke, to handle the mighty task. But, as has been the case since 2006, the fullback positions, respectively, were left out to dry. Pacheco would make the past two years an afterthought, and I am very confident in that. I know many people seem to “poo poo” the Salvadorian leagues, but they do produce excellent attackers and fullbacks. He would be a great addition.

Osorio is creating a winning culture around a franchise that is used to falling on its face. Putting together leaders who have faced pressure situations and stared them down will only serve the youth on this team. JPA is the captain and a consumate pro. Jorge Rojas is a well respected Captain of the Vinotintos, regardless of what we saw last season, and is capable of inspiring through his play. Believe me, I have seen it on the National level. Petke is a hometown favorite and commands instant respect in this area and amongst his peers. Pacheco would be a logical fit, putting a dangerous face behind a none existent wing back attack.

I don’t think I could be any clearer in my support of this move, though many may think otherwise. Share your thoughts with me while I figure out a good weekend poll question . . .

img credit: getty images