Javier Morales

Javier Morales (born January 10, 1980 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.

Career

Argentina

From 1998 to 2006, Morales played for four different clubs in the Argentine Primera División, including two stints each with Lanús and Arsenal de Sarandí. He spent most of that time with Avellaneda-based Arsenal, playing in 146 matches and scoring 15 goals for the club. He spent his last season in Argentina with Instituto before moving to Spain.

Spain

Morales spent 2006-07 with UD Vecindario of the Spanish Second Division LIGA BBVA. In one lone season with the club, he scored five goals in 23 matches (20 starts).

United States

In August 2007, he moved to the United States to play for Real Salt Lake of MLS. Morales was acquired by Real Salt Lake at the same time as fellow Argentines Matias Mantilla and Fabián Espíndola. Morales made an immediate impact for RSL -- he tallied an assist 40 seconds into his MLS debut (August 29 vs. the Kansas City Wizards) - the fastest first assist in MLS history. His first career goal for RSL came September 19 against the Los Angeles Galaxy. He finished the season with one goal and two assists in seven matches (five starts).

In his second season with RSL (2008), Morales emerged as a star player and team leader. He started 29 of Real Salt Lake's 30 contests, totaling 6 goals (tied with Robbie Findley for second-highest on the team, just behind Yura Movsisyan). Morales tallied 15 assists, shattering the club record of 11 set by Jeff Cunningham in 2006. It was the second-highest total in the MLS that season, behind only league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto of the Columbus Crew. His outstanding play guided RSL to the club's first-ever appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs, where Morales continued to shine. He figured in all three of the team's postseason goals, scoring one and assisting on two as RSL advanced to the Western Conference Final.

During the offseason, Morales signed a contract extension that keeps him in Salt Lake until 2012. In 2009, he continued as one of RSL's top players, although his numbers declined somewhat. His play has been solid enough to earn him a selection in the 2009 MLS All-Star Game. Already a fan favorite, Morales endeared himself even more to the RSL faithful with a spectacular goal in the team's 1-0 exhibition victory over Club América on July 11. Morales started off the 2010 MLS season with a bang, tallying two goals and an assist against the San Jose Earthquakes.

On May 7, 2011, 38 minutes into the game against Chivas USA, Morales suffered a fracture-dislocation in his left ankle after a challenge from Marcos Mondaini. He was out for 4 1/2 months, returning to play on September 28, 2011.

In December 2013, Morales played for Real Salt Lake against Sporting Kansas City. One of his notable plays was when he had the ball and chipped it over the SKC keeper, Jimmy Nielsen. However, the shot curved to the left. It hit the post and the ground at the same time and bounced across the face of the goal. It went out of bounds for a goal kick. He also scored a penalty kick later in the game.

Honors

Javier Morales at a "Meet the Players" event, Aug 2010.

Real Salt Lake

• Major League Soccer All-Star: 2009, 2010
• Major League Soccer Inactive All-Star Roster'": 2013
• Major League Soccer Eastern Conference Championship (team): 2009
• Major League Soccer MLS Cup (team): 2009
• Major League Soccer Western Conference Championship (1): 2013

See also

• List of current MLS players

External links

• MLS player profile
• Argentine League Statistics
• UD Vecindario webpage
• Guardian statistics