A goal like the one scored by Panamanian Luis Tejada in March of 2005 does not happen very often.
But at least Real Salt Lake can boast they have a player on the roster that has done such an eye-popping feat. In a World Cup qualifying match against Mexico, Tejada had his back to the goal at the top of the penalty area and a defender crawling up his back. Tejada took the ball out of the air with his shoulder, controlled it with a pair of touches off his right knee and left foot, then unleashed a wicked bicycle kick that hit the net.
Fox Sports deemed the goal the "Western Hemisphere Goal of the Year" for 2005. And now, Tejada will play alongside Jeff Cunningham in the forward line at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Because of various trade issues, Tejada is technically on loan from his professional team in Panama, Plaza Amador. But he is on RSL's payroll, and should be with the team throughout the upcoming MLS season.
"We jumped at the chance to bring Luis here," coach John Ellinger said on Wednesday. "He's a very talented striker. He's good at getting balls played to his feet, turning back to goal and running at players that way. He's also good at starting deep in the midfield and running forward that way."
Tejada is RSL's second notable acquisition announced in as many days. The day prior to Real's press conference introducing Tejada, RSL introduced Freddy Adu as the newest player on the team. Both players join a team that just missed the playoffs in 2006, and is aching to play in the postseason for the first time in its short history.
"I don't feel any pressure," Tejada said through a translator on Wednesday. "I'm ready to come in here and run, and get along with my teammates and start producing."
Ellinger expects the Tejada-Cunningham-Atiba Harris combination at forward will be the most productive in the league in 2007.
"I don't think there are ever too many forwards. Luis has not only got the size and the speed, but he's extremely technical, and he finishes," Ellinger said. "Along with Atiba, along with Jeff and Luis, we certainly have some offensive weapons now, and I don't think any coach will ever say that's not a good thing."
RSL officials had their eye on Tejada for months, and his agent had told him about the team's interest. Then, things fell into place.
"By chance, I happened to be watching later on that week the Real Madrid-Real Salt Lake game and I liked the way Real Salt Lake battled and fought throughout that game, and I told my agent to get to work," Tejada said.
Now, with Tejada set to play for RSL in 2007, he is looking forward to playing in the United States.
"I'm looking forward to scoring some goals as soon as the season kicks off," Tejada said.
Peter Richins is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
