Marcelo Saragosa

MLS EXPERIENCE

Saragosa’s career began in his native Brazil when he joined the youth side of Portuguesa at just 12-years old. A year later, he moved to Sao Paulo’s youth team. The 5’11” midfielder made his first team debut as an 18-year old, but only made a handful of first team appearances between 2000-2003.

In 2004, Saragosa went on loan to the LA Galaxy, where he played in 26 matches (24 starts) and notched an assist in his first MLS season. He also started three MLS Cup playoff games, before returning to Sao Paulo.

Saragosa spent the first half of 2005 on loan at Nautico (Brazil), before he was permanently acquired by LA in August. He played in four matches (two starts) during the regular season before playing in two MLS Cup playoffs matches as the Galaxy claimed the MLS Cup.

2006 saw Saragosa start each of the ten matches he played in during the early part of the season, before he was traded to FC Dallas. While with Dallas, he played in seven matches (two starts) and scored one goal. In 2007, Saragosa played in 13 games (ten starts) with Dallas, notching two assists. In his third season in Dallas, the midfielder started 23 of the 25 matches he played in, as he scored a goal and dished out two assists.

In 2009, Saragosa began the season with FC Dallas, playing in nine matches (eight starts), notching one assist, before he was traded to Chivas USA in July. Back in LA, he played in eight games (seven starts). In his only full season with Chivas USA, Saragosa played in 14 matches (nine starts), registering one assist during the 2010 campaign.

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

OTHE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2008-09: Santos played for Israeli Premier League clubs Hapoel Kiryat Shomna and Bnei Sakhnin. He appeared in two UEFA Cup (currently known as Europa League) matches and three Toto Cup (Israel) contests, scoring one goal for Hapoel Kiryat Shomna. Santos then moved to Bnei Sakhnin, making ten Israeli league appearances and scoring three goals in two Toto Cup matches. He also spent a brief period with Brazilian club Bonsucesso before being acquired by Chivas USA.

2006-07: Santos played for Tunisian side Étoile Sportive du Sahel, spending one season on loan at Libyan club Al-Nasr Benghazi.

2005: The Paracambi native made his professional debut with Rio de Janeiro side Madureira Esporte Clube of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série C.    

Acquired

Signed on 1/18/12.