Alvaro Saborio (pictured) joined Saprissa for a second time on January 10, 2017. (Photo: Mexsport)
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – In the days and weeks after winning the 2016 Costa Rican Invierno title, Saprissa saw many players leave the club, including key defenders Adolfo Machado and Francisco Calvo, as well as midfielders Juan Bustos and David Guzman.
With the departure of so much talent, head coach Carlos Watson’s side now consists of 11 players who are 20-years-old or younger.
That’s why he was delighted with last week’s signing of veteran forward Alvaro Saborio, a player possessing impressive experience and credentials. The 34-year-old first competed for the Monstruo Morado from 2001-06 and has gone on to notch 207 goals in club football, plus another 29 with Costa Rica.
Sabrorio was part of the Saprissa side that won the 2005 CONCACAF Champions Cup, eventually earning global headlines by netting two goals in 2005 FIFA Club World Cup.
“He contributes goals and experience,” said Watson of a player who has struck for 10 goals in 15 all-time Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL) games with the USA’s Real Salt Lake and D.C. United. “The leadership that he has to assume has to do with the experience that he has acquired in the different countries, different teams in which he has played.”
The 65-year-old hopes Saborio’s successful habits will rub off on the club’s youngsters.
“The thing is that the young players take advantage of his presence in order to gain some of that experience he has,” Watson finished.
Saprissa will host Pachuca in the first leg of their 2016/17 SCCL quarterfinal series on February 21.
