Darío Sala

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Darío Sala
Personal information
Full name Darío Alberto Sala
Date of birth October 17, 1974 (age 32)
Place of birth Córdoba, Argentina
Height 6'3
Position goalkeeper
Club information
Current club FC Dallas
Number 48
Professional clubs*
Years Club Apps (goals)
1995
1995
1995
1996-99
1999
2000-01
2001-02
2003
2004
2004
2005
2006-		 San Lorenzo
Talleres
Racing de Córdoba
Belgrano
Los Andes
River Plate
Independiente (loan)
Deportivo Cali (loan)
Newell's Old Boys
Chiapas
Arsenal de Sarandí
FC Dallas










19 (0)

* Professional club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 16 July 2006.
** National team caps and goals correct
as of 16 July 2006.

Darío Alberto Sala (born October 17, 1974 in Córdoba, Argentina) is an Argentine soccer goalkeeper, who currently plays for FC Dallas of Major League Soccer.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Sala was born into a working-class family in Córdoba, Argentina. 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]

[edit] Football career

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 earning Belgrano a promtion to the Primera División Argentina. He moved on to Los Andes, again earning his club a promotion to the Primera División. Sala's good play earned him a look from Aregentine 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.

[edit] 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 2003 Copa Libertadores. 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.

[edit] 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 Major League Soccer 2006 season, Dario Sala was controvesially 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, and Sala punched Hunter Freeman in defense of the fans. He later apologized, but was fined and suspended for six games anyway. [3]

[edit] Personal

Is married to Margot, an American, and has two children, Emmanuel and Agustina. In his free time, Sala enjoys playing golf and handball, as well as skydiving.[4]

[edit] See also

[edit] Sources

  1. ^ a b c d Who is Dario Sala?. 3rd Degree (2006-10-30). Retrieved on 2006-10-29.
  2. ^ FC Dallas Stats Sheet. MLS (2006-10-30). Retrieved on 2006-10-29.
  3. ^ http://3rddegree.net/thirdindex.cfm?page=article&show=20022 Sala Apologizes
  4. ^ http://fc.dallas.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t104&player=sala_d&playerId=sal020326&statType=current

[edit] External links


FC Dallas - Current Squad

00 Cassar | 1 Hislop | 3 Vanney | 4 Gbandi | 5 Saragosa | 7 Thompson | 8 Mulrooney | 9 Miña | 10 Núñez | 11 Goodson | 12 Alvarez | 13 McCarty | 14 Moor | 16 Wagenfuhr | 17 Valakari | 19 Rhine | 20 Ruiz | 21 Yi | 22 Dello-Russo | 23 Wagner | 24 Moore | 25 Oduro | 27 Pitchkolan | 30 Burse | 33 Cooper | 48 Sala | - Serioux | Coach: Vacant
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