Honduras exports players of import
NEW ORLEANS - The Revolution appear to have made a propitious choice by setting up a relationship with Honduran clubs in preparing for the MLS season. The Revolution scheduled their final two preseason games against defending Honduran champion Marathon this weekend, and their latest reinforcement, midfielder Mauricio Castro, is expected to arrive today from Honduras.
Though the Honduran national team has qualified for the World Cup only once (1982), the country is producing players who are often skillful and also physical enough to compete outside the region. The variety of styles and talent distinguish Catrachos from players in El Salvador and Guatemala.
"Some countries, all the teams play the same way," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said yesterday. "I watched three games in Honduras and three teams played completely different ways. Marathon likes to get their fullbacks forward, so their wide guys go inside a lot. Motagua is more rigid. I saw a Motagua-Olimpia derby and it was like an old-fashioned British derby battle, Olimpia's fullbacks going forward and Motagua trying to pass the ball around."
The Revolution-Marathon match was set up partly because of New Orleans's large Honduran population. Honduras is not only exporting laborers, it is also sending professional soccer players to China, Europe, and MLS, the best of whom is Oscar David Suazo, who went from Cagliari to Inter last year.
"Honduras has always had talent," said Marathon coach Jose de la Paz Herrera, who guided the '82 team to the World Cup in Spain. "There isn't a faster player in Europe than Suazo. Now, Cagliari has two young Honduran players and they are calling one of them, Christian Martinez, 'Suazocito.'
"But the problem is there is disorder in the Honduran federation. They are always cutting the legs off each other. The problems can be resolved, though."
Herrera was recalled to coach the national team, but apparently lost patience with the process. Herrera, 66, is also a member of the Honduran Congress, representing the Partido Liberal.
Asked if Marathon could repeat as national champion, Herrera replied: "The problem is we sold four players to China. The club needs the money. The plan is for the club to build its own stadium, and it would be the first in the country to do so."
The best of the former Marathon players to depart was forward Emil Martinez, who had been coveted by Nicol. But Marathon opted for a higher offer from Beijing Guoan. The Revolution settled for Castro, 26, who was playing for Olimpia, and Costa Rican striker Argenis Fernandez, 21, who is expected to join the team before the March 29 opener against Houston.
"It's hard for the national team because clubs don't want to lend them players," said Hector Pineda, a promoter for the Marathon and Revolution tours. "If they play on the national team their market value can go higher and people will see them and want to buy them. Then, the European clubs don't want to release players; and, if they do, Suazo will be released on Thursday, get to Honduras on Friday, play on Saturday, and have to go right back to Italy. The setup doesn't do him justice."
Kheli Dube, 24, formerly of Zimbabwe power Highlanders, made his first Revolution appearance and combined well at striker with Taylor Twellman, each scoring in the first half of last night's 4-0 victory over Marathon. Nicol considers Adam Cristman and Kenny Mansally the top candidates for the open striker position next to Twellman. Khano Smith, the only Revolution player to start both halves, scored twice in the second half . . . The Revolution's starting lineup tomorrow will likely be the same for the season opener, Nicol said.
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at f_dellapa@globe.com. 