CONFIRMED: Luis Escalada to Real Salt Lake

For several days, word out of Ecuador was that Luis Escalada was close to a deal to come to MLS. Yesterday Garth Lagerway confirmed that IF Escalada came to MLS he would be property of Real Salt Lake. Today we have confirmation from Ecuador that he has now agreed to play in MLS. The story comes from ElComercio.com which has been the source of much of the information coming out of Ecuador. It sites a conversation on Radio Quito with Esteban Paz, the boss of LDU Quito, which currently holds his rights. Please note that the article is still speculating that the club is RBNY, although Keepin' It Real has been able to confirm that he would come to Real Salt Lake because the team filed first discovery on the player.

Roughly translated

In conversation with the sports team of Radio Quito, the leader albo, Esteban Paz, confirmed that 'Toro' Escalada in the United States agreed to play for next season.

Paz said that currently only being formalized documents evidencing the transfer of striker to MLS.

Still has not confirmed that the club will play league American Escalada, however, the CRE site announced that it would be the Red Bulls of New York.

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Luis Miguel Escalada to NYRB, not RSL?

New information coming out of Ecuador today indicates that Argentine striker, Luis Miguel Escalada is passing up playing for newly promoted Manta FC in Ecuador and is finalizing an agreement to play in MLS this season.

The source indicates that they have "good sources that indicate that he will play for New York Red Bulls". Here is a translation of this article courtesy of Big Soccer poster, Spencer:

" Luis Escalada will play in MLS in 2009 "The president of the football
comission department in LDU Quito Esteban Paz, has informed in a radio interview
that Luis Miguel Escalada has accepted to play in the MLS next season.Esteban
Paz said they are only formalizing the documents at this point to finish the
transaction and make it formal.The club where he will play is not definite yet
but we have good sources that indicate he will play for the New York Red
Bulls.

If this report is true, is this the "one that got away" from Garth Lagerway or is this just one of many potential acquisitions that Real Salt Lake has looked at.

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Escalada to MLS Substantiated, but is RSL in the Picture?

Thanks to Big Soccer poster han0987, we have some verification coming out of Ecuador that substantiates the fact that Argentine Striker Luis Miguel Escalada may indeed be headed to Major League Soccer. Earlier in the day, the Orlando Sentinel had indicated that Jason Kreis had been spotted in Ecuador scouting the player. However the latest report has him linked with Columbus and New York, not Real Salt Lake.

Here is the latest report from futbolecuador, along with han0987's translation:

"Finalmente el futuro de Luis Miguel Escalada estaría en la Mayor League Soccer (MLS) de los Estados Unidos, según lo dio a conocer la dirigencia de Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito este miércoles. Al parecer las escuadras del New York Red Bull y el Columbus Crew serían las interesadas en hacerse con los servicios del goleador argentino..."

Which, pardon any incorrect translation, means:

"Finally, the future of Luis Miguel Escalada will be in Major League Soccer (MLS) of the United States, as was revealed according to management of Liga de Quito this wednesday. It seems that the squads of New York Red Bull and Columbus Crew would be interested in aquiring the services of the Argentine goal scorer..."

Another report out of Argentina indicates that (translated):

League seeks to negotiate striker Luis Miguel Escalada. There is interest by a team of Ecuador, a Colombian and U.S. Soccer (MLS).

Here's to hoping that Garth Lagerway was quick to file a discovery.

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Orlando Sentinel: RSL after Luis Miguel Escalada

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Real Salt Lake is looking at Luis Miguel Escalada, an Argentine striker currently playing in Ecuador. (Thanks to MLS-Daily for providing the tip)

Jason Kreis, Real Salt Lake coach was spotted in Quito, Ecuador yesterday
observing Argentine Striker Luis Miguel Escalada.This according to Ecuavisa International TV show Tiro Libre. A product of Boca Juniors lower divisions, "El Toro" (the bull) has a colorful trajectory considering he is only 23. Escalada was loaned to Ecuadorean club Emelec by Boca Juniors in 2006. With Emelec, he made 40 appearances and scored 29 goals to become the goal scoring leader that year.
This was enough for Liga of Quito to purchase his rights from Boca for
$1.1M.

With Liga in 2007 Escalada appeared in 38 games scoring 16 times as Liga became Ecuadorean Champions and would go on the next year to become Champions of South America. But Escalada would not take part of that championship as he was loaned out to Brazilian Botafogo. He only appeared in 2 games and was later loaned out to Gimnasia de Jujuy of his native Argentina playing in 11 games and scoring twice. Luis Miguel was in Quito training with Liga in search of a spot on the team but it looks like he is not in the plans of the new coach. Other teams said to be interested are Argentina's Newell's Old Boys and Manta SC of Ecuador but Luis Miguel has stated his desire of moving to the MLS.

Some Youtube vids on Escalada:

• Youtube goal: 12/10/2006
• Youtube goal: 4/30/2006 (2nd Goal)
• Youtube goal: 4/30/2006 (3rd Goal)
• Youtube profile (Spanish)

One word of caution here. Coaches and staff often scout players for weeks if not months ahead of ever making a move to acquiring a player. There are stories of RSL looking at Robbie Russell for a full year before taking action on him. However, this is at least a sign of what kind of player the team may be looking at.

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Player Profile: Fabian Espindola

Fabian Espindola

Position: Forward
Date of Birth: May 4, 1985 (22)
Place of Birth: Merlo, San Luis, Argentina
Height: 5 ft 9 in
Weight: 160
Previous Clubs: LDU Quito, Aucas, Talleras, Boca Juniors
National Team Exp: none
Jersey Number: #9
Current Status: Senior Roster (International)
How Acquired: transfer

Personal summary: Born in Argentina. Best known in Salt Lake for his backflip after scoring a goal against Kansas City.

Professional summary/highlights: Played at the age of 20 with Boca Juniors. Then moved to another Argentine club, Talleras. After a year there, he played for 2 different Ecuador teams, Aucas and LDU Quito. Joined RSL in 2007 along with fellow Argentines, Javier Morales and Matias Mantilla.

Webpages/Myspace/Facebook:

Youtube/video links: Kansas City goal

Other links: MLS Player profile: Fabian Espindola/MLSnet, Wikipedia Page: Fabian Espindola/Wiki

Keepin It Real Expectations for 2008: To me the race for the second forward (after Deuchar) is a 3-way race between Findley, Espindola and Movsisyan. I have selected Espindola despite Findley seemingly being the lead candidate after winning the Golden Boot for RSL last season, and despite Yura having a seemingly stellar preseason. Why? Primarily his left footed ability and his crossing ability. Also, Findley may be more effective bringing his fresh legs and speed at later stages in a match. I could really see this one going any one of the 3 ways, but since I had to make a pick…

Fans Scorecard Ratings: Espindola Rating

Interesting Fact/tidbits/quote:

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