- Darío Sala
-
Darío Sala 
Personal information Full name Darío Alberto Sala Date of birth October 17, 1974 Place of birth Córdoba, Argentina Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Playing position Goalkeeper Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 1994–1995 San Lorenzo 19 (0) 1995–1996 Talleres 28 (0) 1996 Racing de Córdoba 14 (0) 1996–1998 Belgrano 47 (0) 1999 Los Andes 41 (0) 2000–2001 River Plate 16 (0) 2001 Xerez 18 (0) 2002 Independiente 19 (0) 2003 Deportivo Cali 66 (0) 2004 Newell's Old Boys 11 (0) 2005 Jaguares de Chiapas 18 (0) 2005 Arsenal de Sarandí 3 (0) 2005–2010 FC Dallas 100 (0) Total 400 (0) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of November 15, 2010.
† Appearances (Goals).Darío Sala (born October 17, 1974 in Córdoba) is a retired Argentine footballer now working as a player agent.
Contents
Early life
Sala was born into a working-class family in Córdoba. He aspired to be a soldier and attended a top military prep school at age 11. On weekends, Sala returned to his home to sell churros with his family outside the local soccer stadiums. Sala had no interest in football and instead played team handball. At an early age, he earned a place on Argentina's national handball team as a right winger.[1]
Career
Early career
After becoming a lieutenant in the Argentine Army, Sala started law school at the age of 18. As a way to get free drinks, he would bet the professional players a Coke that he could stop their shots from outside the 18-yard box.[1] His efforts caught the attention of a scout, who, in 1995 signed him as a reserve player for first division powerhouse San Lorenzo. At San Lorenzo, Sala was coached by Hector Baley, goalkeeper for the 1978 Argentine World Cup squad.
Becoming a starter
After his short stint at San Lorenzo, he was traded to his hometown team, Talleres and later Racing de Córdoba. In 1996, he joined Belgrano of the Primera B Nacional Argentina; for the next two years he would be the starter winning Belgrano a promotion to the Primera División Argentina. He moved on to Los Andes, again helping his club to a promotion to the Primera División. Sala's good play earned him a look from Argentine powerhouse River Plate who bought his rights. After earning a few non-league match starts, he was loaned out to rival Independiente where he started for two seasons. After two seasons Independiente were looking to buy Sala, but the price was not right.[1] As the Argentine economy unraveled, River officials looked to loan him to a team that could actually afford Sala's price tag; Deportivo Cali in Colombia was that club.
Leaving Argentina
At Cali, he won goalkeeper of the year honors for the league and was named top foreigner in the league. He also enjoyed international acclaim for being the least scored upon goalkeeper in the Copa Libertadores 2003. Cali attempted to buy Sala's rights, but, due to a personal problem, Sala did not accept the move. Sala was offered a trial for the MetroStars which he refused.[1] He returned to Argentina playing with Newell's Old Boys; he was the second goalkeeper behind Justo Villar and was loaned to Arsenal de Sarandí where he was the starter.
Move to the US
During the 2005 MLS season, Sala was signed by FC Dallas. He made one appearance, a start, during the season which resulted in a shutout. During the 2006 Major League Soccer season, Dario Sala was controversially announced the starter. He excelled throughout the season earning 28 starts, 93 saves, a 1.24 GAA, and 14 wins, leading the team to a first place finish[2] In two playoffs games against the Colorado Rapids, Sala made many crucial stops, but it wasn't enough to win the series as FC Dallas lost 5-4 on penalties. After the match, the Rapid players taunted the FC Dallas supporters, namely The Inferno. Sala, trying to divert the attention of the Rapids, ultimately punched Hunter Freeman as a result of the scuffle. He later apologized, but was fined and suspended for six games anyway.[3] During the 2007 Major League Soccer season, Dario Sala was sidelined for the first six games due to the suspension received during the 2006 playoffs. He made his first appearance of the season on May 12, 2007 in a game versus the Kansas City Wizards, leading the team to a road win with an amazing series of 9 saves.[4] Dario went on to play 19 regular season games (8-7-2) in 2007, missing an additional 6 games due to a knee injury. In 2008, Sala started 28 games, missing only two due to a right hip injury. He posted career bests in minutes played with 2,520 and shutouts with seven. He finished the season with a 1.32 goals against average, helping lead the team to the fourth-best goal differential (+4) in Major League Soccer.
After the 2010 MLS season FC Dallas declined Sala's contract option and he elected to participate in the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Sala became a free agent in Major League Soccer when he was not selected in the Re-Entry draft. Shortly thereafter he retired as a player and began a new career as a player agent.[5]
Personal
Is married to Margot, an American,[6] and has three children, Alexandra,[7] Emmanuel and Agustina. In his free time, Sala enjoys playing golf and handball, as well as skydiving.[8]
Honours
FC Dallas
- Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship (1): 2010
References
- ^ a b c d "Who is Dario Sala?". 3rd Degree. 2006-10-30. http://3rddegree.net/thirdindex.cfm?page=article&show=19251. Retrieved 2006-10-29.[dead link]
- ^ "FC Dallas Stats Sheet". MLS. 2006-10-30. Archived from the original on 2007-04-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20070416141901/http://fc.dallas.mlsnet.com/t104/stats/index.jsp?club=t104. Retrieved 2006-10-29.
- ^ http://3rddegree.net/thirdindex.cfm?page=article&show=20022 Sala Apologizes
- ^ FC DALLAS UPDATES - The Official FC Dallas Blog: May 12 - FCD 2, KC 1
- ^ http://www.bigdsoccer.com/2011/3/28/2077134/dario-sala-thanks-fc-dallas-fans
- ^ Constable, Burt (2007-09-20). "Lightning's nightmare can't stop American dreams". The Daily Herald. http://www.dailyherald.com/story/print/?id=41663. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- ^ FC DALLAS UPDATES - The Official FC Dallas Blog: Oct. 20 - FCD 0, KC 2
- ^ FC Dallas: Roster: Player Bio
External links
Categories:- 1974 births
- Living people
- People from Córdoba, Argentina (city)
- Argentine footballers
- Primera División Argentina players
- San Lorenzo footballers
- Talleres footballers
- Belgrano de Córdoba footballers
- Los Andes footballers
- Deportivo Cali footballers
- Club Atlético Independiente footballers
- River Plate footballers
- Primera División de México players
- Jaguares de Chiapas footballers
- Arsenal de Sarandí footballers
- Newell's Old Boys footballers
- Xerez CD players
- FC Dallas players
- Expatriate soccer players in the United States
- Expatriate footballers in Colombia
- Argentine expatriate footballers
- Association football goalkeepers
- Argentine Army officers
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