Marcelo Saragosa

MLS Experience

2012: Signing with D.C United on February 6, Saragosa played a key role in vaulting the club to its first post-season berth in five years. A role player for much of the season, Saragosa started nine of the remaining 11 games of the regular season, becoming a steadying force in the middle of the park alongside Perry Kitchen. The midfielder scored his first MLS goal in four years against the Columbus Crew on October 20, a crucial game-tying strike with playoff implications on the line.

2011: Saragosa left MLS following the 2010 season and spent two seasons in the Azerbaijan first division, first with FC Absheron and then with Ravan Baku.

2010: In his only full season with Chivas USA, Saragosa played in 14 matches (nine starts), registering one assist.

2009: Began the 2009 MLS Season with FC Dallas, playing in nine games (eight starts) before joining Chivas USA in a trade on July 17. Saragosa played in eight games (seven starts) for Chivas USA.

2008: Appeared in 25 games, matching his career-high of two assists set in 2007, and scoring the second goal of his career on Oct. 18 at Real Salt Lake. Started 16 games in a defensive midfield role and seven games on the left side of the midfield.

2007: For FC Dallas, made 13 regular-season appearances, and the team earned a 9-1-3 record (W-L-T) in those games, going 4-11-2 without him in the lineup. Finished the season with two assists.

2006: Started 10 of the first 15 games for the LA Galaxy before having his rights traded to Dallas in July, and on the day he was acquired, played the final 18 minutes and scored the second goal in 2-0 win vs. Tigres of the Mexican First Division in a friendly.

2005: Returned to São Paulo at the beginning of the year and was then loaned to first-division Brazilian side Nautico, where he played for four months before the LA Galaxy then purchased him from Sao Paolo in August. Helped the team win the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup, and scored his first MLS goal in 2-1 win vs. KC on Sept. 25.

2004: Loaned from Brazilian-powerhouse São Paolo to the Los Angeles Galaxy, after being scouted by then-Galaxy assistant coach Martin Vasquez. Started 24 of the 26 he played in before his one-year loan ended and he returned to São Paulo.

Other Professional Experience
Made his first team debut with Sao Paolo as an 18-year old versus Santos, entering in the second half as a right back. Had joined the Sao Paolo youth system as a 13 year old after playing for one year at Portuegessa, where he was spotted by São Paulo scouts. Was on Sao Paolo's U-20 team that participated in the 2001 Dallas Cup.

Youth Teams
In Brazil, Marcelo Saragosa started his career with Portuegessa at the age of 12 where he played for one year before joining the youth sides of famed club São Paulo FC, where he played alongside Chivas USA’s Paulo Nagamura and Real Madrid’s Kaká.

Personal
Is the middle of five siblings - two older brothers, one younger brother, and one younger sister…father was a Colonel in the Brazilian Army and later practiced dentistry...prior to joining his first youth team, was also a handball player that was selected to his regional squad...was also a competitive ping-pong player - one of the youngest members of the Santa Catarina state-team…is a devoted Christian, and likes the music of Michael W. Smith…while together at Sao Paolo, Marcelo lived with Brazilian and Real Madrid star midfielder Kaká and his family...their friendship has remained strong as each served as each other's best man in their respective weddings…was given nickname "Gallo", which means rooster, because of his hair….while at Sao Paolo, met his wife Carolina, who was a volleyball player at the club...the couple have a son, Matheus.

Honors
MLS Cup Champion (2005)
U.S. Open Cup Champion (2005)

Acquired
Joined Chivas USA in a trade with FC Dallas on July 17, 2009.