Host families needed for Brazilian prospects

By Sebastian Moraga

Staff writer

Five Brazilian prospects might play for the Reds this summer if host families can be found for them, team officials said.

The prospects, who remain unidentified in order to not impede negotiations or alert other teams, range from 17 to 22 years old, do not speak English and would stay in Yakima from late March to late August of 2010, team co-owner Alex Silva said.

Only one of the prospects is underage, Silva said, while another is already a pro player in Brazil, seeking exposure to the American Major League Soccer as well as to European markets.

Families interested have until Jan. 31 of 2010 to contact the team, Silva’s fellow co-owner Perry Piercy said. Families in Yakima are preferred, although people from the surrounding areas are also acceptable, provided they can drive the player to and from games and practices.

The January deadline is meant to give families a chance to prepare for the arrival of the prospect. The season does not start in full until April and depending on the success of the team, it may well go on until September.

Families will not be paid money for hosting, Piercy said, although they may get free game tickets.

With five Brazilian players, the contingent of people from the South American nation may reach seven, when considering head coach Alex Silva and last year’s leading scorer Vini Oliveira.

Piercy said the team will let Yakima-area churches know of the need for host families. The search will then move on to ads in local publications and radio stations.

An “ideal” family, Piercy said, would live near Marquette Stadium and can provide transportation and has someone who speaks Portuguese.

“It would hopefully be a unique cultural experience for that family,” Piercy said. “We’re not in the condition to help with the cost, so this is something where the family would be willing to volunteer their house and provide for the basic food and shelter needs of a player.”

Once the remodeled team Web site is up and running, an application for host families will be made available.

The idea of bringing Brazilian players first came up when Oliveira first joined the team. Silva acted as Oliveira’s agent and that’s when he first mentioned his contacts in his home country. Oliveira is now an employee of Silva’s in the latter’s roofing company, and is expected to play for the Reds this year.

Remember fans, 2010 Season Tickets – Available Now! Please contact the Yakima Reds FC front office for further information at 509-453-2086 and coming soon online at www.yakimareds.com.