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One man in contention for an Orlando City SC start against Chicago Fire tomorrow is summer Deadline Day arrival Matías Pérez García.
Arriving as part of a trade which saw Lions fan favourite Darwin Cerén join San Jose Earthquakes, the Argentine looked bright off the bench on his Orlando City SC debut.
Replacing Hadji Barry in difficult circumstances with City trailing Seattle Sounders 1-3 at the time, the 31-year-old managed to bring some fresh impetus to our attack when subbed on by Jason Kreis.
Undoubtedly a skillful player, the diminutive 5 ft 5 in Tartagal native now complements Orlando City SC‘s already talented attacking ranks, what with Kaká, Kevin Molino, Julio Baptista, Brek Shea and Hadji Barry representing the competition.
Moreover, Jason Kreis claimed the signing of Matías Pérez García makes Orlando City SC‘s attacking options “arguably one of the best in the league”.
But in the embryonic stages of Matías Pérez García‘s new chapter in Central Florida, do you really know what Orlando City SC‘s latest recruit is about?
Today, Orlando City UK have devised a list of FIVE things you didn’t know about Matías Pérez García.
Prior to joining MLS, he played in three different countries
In many ways, Matías Pérez García can be defined as a journeyman in football terms.
With Orlando City SC representing the attacking midfielders’ eleventh different club, either on loan or on a permanent contract, Matías Pérez García played in three different countries before joining Major League Soccer in 2014.
Starting out with Buenos Aires-based side Club Atlético Lanús in his homeland back in 2002, the first decade of his career saw Matías Pérez García ply his trade for French lower division outfit Chamois Niortais F.C. between 2008 and 2009 as well Chilean side Club Universidad de Chile between 2011 and 2012.
He of course went on to join San Jose Earthquakes back in July 2014 after his spells in Argentina, France and Chile.
He’s one of the shortest players in Major League Soccer
One of the most noticeable things about Matías Pérez García at face value is just how short he is!
The 31-year-old measures in at a height of just 5 ft 5 inches which makes him one of the shortest players in all of Major League Soccer.
After rummaging around the internet, we of course know that Real Salt Lake’s Joao Plata is 5 ft 2 inches and Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco 5 ft 4 inches perhaps making Matías Pérez García around the third shortest in the league?
Other short guys in MLS include former Orlando City SC man Corey Ashe at 5 ft 5 inches as well as LA Galaxy’s Rafael Garcia at 5 ft 6 inches.
He scored just 31 minutes into his Quakes debut
Not a prolific goalscorer in his career thus far with 12 goals in 39 appearances at Club Atlético Talleres representing his best haul, Matías Pérez García can indeed lay claim to scoring on his MLS debut.
Taking all of 31 minutes to score in the California Clásico against LA Galaxy at StubHub Center back on 8th August 2014 no less, Matías Pérez García‘s fine strike put San Jose Earthquakes 1-2 in front after Chris Wondolowski and Gyasi Zardes had opened the scoring.
He’s scored for two Argentina international age groups
Despite having never represented his country Argentina at senior international level, Matías Pérez García has made appearances for La Albiceleste’s younger age groups.
Turning out eight times for Argentina’s Under-17 ranks between 2000 and 2001, and six times for Argentina’s Under-20 side between 2003 and 2004, Matías Pérez García did manage to score one goal for both age groups.
He’s already represented Atlanta!
No, not that Atlanta!
With Atlanta United set to join Major League Soccer for their inaugural campaign in 2017, Matías Pérez García has previously represented their namesake.
Turning out for Argentine lower division outfit Club Atlético Atlanta between 2007 and 2008 when he was on loan from Club Atlético Cerro, Matías Pérez García managed to score three goals in 14 appearances during his temporary spell there.
With Orlando City SC still yet to have a true rival in Major League Soccer with both New York City FC and Columbus Crew simply representing half-rivals right now, it’s more than likely that Atlanta United could become the Lions’ biggest foes next year.
After all, they’re only a hop across the Florida border in Georgia!