He was picked to play in his hometown of Los Angeles and in the shadow of his father, Crecenio, a youth player for the famed Chivas Guadalajara team.
Alvarez was traded to Colorado in 2014 and spent most of 2015 in the USL on loan to Charlotte. As he considered offers in the offseason, Alvarez said he hoped to find a true home for himself, a place where he could help build something.
On Tuesday, Alvarez became the first player to sign with USL San Antonio’s new franchise.
He’s making his own path.
“I’m looking forward to this journey,” Alvarez said. “I’m really thankful for this opportunity in San Antonio. When coach Darren Powell talked to me about it, I bought in right away. I’m ready to work.”
Alvarez, the second overall pick in 2013, was a Big East midfielder of the year at Connecticut and scored a goal in his MLS debut with Chivas USA.
In 22 appearances with the Charlotte Independence last season, Alvarez scored two goals and notched four assists. As the first player in USL San Antonio’s club history, Alvarez said the chance to help build a franchise was a perfect step in his career.
“I had offers from the MLS, but I chose San Antonio because it’s the best fit,” Alvarez said. “Coach Powell is going to demand a lot out of us, and I want our fans to demand that, too. As a player, all you want to do is win, and we can do that in San Antonio.”
Powell plans to implement a fast-paced, attacking style of play, and Alvarez will be the field general who helps make that happen.
Alvarez, 25, said he loves a style where he’s pushing the attack forward with one or two touches.
“Carlos is a creative player and I’ve admired his play for a while, and I think his best qualities are his character and his determination to win games,” Powell said. “It’s a good starting point for us.”
With the first player locked in, USL San Antonio will accelerate into the April 3 regular season debut. The team is holding open tryouts on Feb. 5 at Toyota Field, and Powell said tryouts will be a “true pathway” to the pro club.
“The players we want on our first team are a very diverse group in all fashions,” Powell said. “You want to have players that can execute Plan A, and be able to go to Plan B if needed. We want men who are ambitious, competitive, help the organization and show good character.”
As the signings roll in and Toyota Field transforms into USL San Antonio’s new home, excitement continues to build for professional soccer in San Antonio.
Powell met with USL San Antonio Season Ticket Members at an event last month and said he’s impressed by the early enthusiasm from local soccer fans.
“You realize you’re part of a bigger thing than a soccer team,” Powell said. “It’s more than a game or a practice, it’s about developing a program that will make a community proud.”
He was picked to play in his hometown of Los Angeles and in the shadow of his father, Crecenio, a youth player for the famed Chivas Guadalajara team.
Alvarez was traded to Colorado in 2014 and spent most of 2015 in the USL on loan to Charlotte. As he considered offers in the offseason, Alvarez said he hoped to find a true home for himself, a place where he could help build something.
On Tuesday, Alvarez became the first player to sign with USL San Antonio’s new franchise.
He’s making his own path.
“I’m looking forward to this journey,” Alvarez said. “I’m really thankful for this opportunity in San Antonio. When coach Darren Powell talked to me about it, I bought in right away. I’m ready to work.”
Alvarez, the second overall pick in 2013, was a Big East midfielder of the year at Connecticut and scored a goal in his MLS debut with Chivas USA.
In 22 appearances with the Charlotte Independence last season, Alvarez scored two goals and notched four assists. As the first player in USL San Antonio’s club history, Alvarez said the chance to help build a franchise was a perfect step in his career.
“I had offers from the MLS, but I chose San Antonio because it’s the best fit,” Alvarez said. “Coach Powell is going to demand a lot out of us, and I want our fans to demand that, too. As a player, all you want to do is win, and we can do that in San Antonio.”
Powell plans to implement a fast-paced, attacking style of play, and Alvarez will be the field general who helps make that happen.
Alvarez, 25, said he loves a style where he’s pushing the attack forward with one or two touches.
“Carlos is a creative player and I’ve admired his play for a while, and I think his best qualities are his character and his determination to win games,” Powell said. “It’s a good starting point for us.”
With the first player locked in, USL San Antonio will accelerate into the April 3 regular season debut. The team is holding open tryouts on Feb. 5 at Toyota Field, and Powell said tryouts will be a “true pathway” to the pro club.
“The players we want on our first team are a very diverse group in all fashions,” Powell said. “You want to have players that can execute Plan A, and be able to go to Plan B if needed. We want men who are ambitious, competitive, help the organization and show good character.”
As the signings roll in and Toyota Field transforms into USL San Antonio’s new home, excitement continues to build for professional soccer in San Antonio.
Powell met with USL San Antonio Season Ticket Members at an event last month and said he’s impressed by the early enthusiasm from local soccer fans.
“You realize you’re part of a bigger thing than a soccer team,” Powell said. “It’s more than a game or a practice, it’s about developing a program that will make a community proud.”
