It's also family time. He won the South American Footballe… He was just a true genius on the ball with superior vision. Hair, assists & golazos: Best of "El Pibe" Valderrama, Roy Lassiter: I'd be even more successful in MLS today. The hardest player I played against was Eddie Pope; he was the toughest defender to play against. I wouldn't have envisioned Zlatan (Ibrahimovic) in our league. https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-fc-cincinnati-vs-columbus-crew-sc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-orlando-city-sc-vs-new-york-city-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-toronto-fc-vs-new-york-red-bulls, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-dc-united-vs-philadelphia-union, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-houston-dynamo-vs-nashville-sc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-inter-miami-cf-vs-atlanta-united-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-fc-dallas-vs-sporting-kansas-city, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-real-salt-lake-vs-portland-timbers, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-los-angeles-football-club, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-la-galaxy-vs-san-jose-earthquakes, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-17-chicago-fire-fc-vs-sporting-kansas-city, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-17-montreal-impact-vs-inter-miami-cf, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-columbus-crew-sc-vs-new-york-city-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-new-york-red-bulls-vs-orlando-city-sc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-fc-cincinnati-vs-dc-united, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-toronto-fc-vs-atlanta-united-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-minnesota-united-fc-vs-houston-dynamo, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-portland-timbers-vs-los-angeles-football-club, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-la-galaxy-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-seattle-sounders-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-19-new-england-revolution-vs-philadelphia-union, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-20-nashville-sc-vs-fc-dallas, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-22-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-portland-timbers, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-23-nashville-sc-vs-new-england-revolution, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-inter-miami-cf-vs-orlando-city-sc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-atlanta-united-fc-vs-dc-united, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-new-york-city-fc-vs-montreal-impact, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-chicago-fire-fc-vs-new-york-red-bulls, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-fc-cincinnati-vs-minnesota-united-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-philadelphia-union-vs-toronto-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-houston-dynamo-vs-columbus-crew-sc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-sporting-kansas-city-vs-colorado-rapids, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-real-salt-lake-vs-fc-dallas, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-san-jose-earthquakes, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-25-los-angeles-football-club-vs-la-galaxy, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-27-montreal-impact-vs-nashville-sc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-27-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-seattle-sounders-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-28-new-york-red-bulls-vs-new-england-revolution, Around the League: ATL stars could be back, Vermes still upset and more, Instant Replay tackles all the controversial calls from Week 18, Your complete guide to the MLS weekend action, Whitecaps lead Team of the Week honors for Week 18, HIGHLIGHTS: D.C. United vs. Philadelphia Union | October 14, 2020. He moved from Tampa Bay to D.C. United, adding to his trophy case as a crucial part of D.C.'s MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield winners in 1999. Hair, assists & golazos: Best of "El Pibe" Valderrama, Game Log is not available for this player. We were so close, so connected and very good. What first appealed to you about joining MLS's inaugural season rather than staying in Costa Rica or looking for options elsewhere? In 1988, Valderrama moved to France where he played for Montpellier and won the French Cup in 1990. Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio, popularly known as “El Pibe”, is a former Colombian professional footballer. 1, while LAFC are on the rise, MLS postpones next three Colorado Rapids league matches. He made 131 appearances and scored 22 goals. I was the one who found spaces. That helped me score all the goals I did score. Valderrama had an international career that spanned a total of 13 years during which he made 111 appearances, making him the only Colombian player to have 100 caps in international football. Poll: Who had the best single season in MLS history? He was on the cover of the video game International Superstar Soccer 98 developed for PlayStation and Nintendo 64. Lassiter was MLS… When my wingers got involved, starting to attack, my engine was cranked up and I was starting to move. So, that's forced me to be better at technology. He gained this distinction when he joined DC United when he was just 14. The USMNT coach could really focus on players in Major League Soccer, see them live and stuff like that. He fathered three children with his wife Claribeth. I didn't need to handle the ball much at all, my job was off the ball. He joined the MLS's Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1996, doing his part to promote the league abroad, long before David Beckham and other superstars of the European leagues went to the MLS. Getting better at communication, connecting more digitally. We were slow build-up. Valderrama began playing football in 1981 for Union Magdalena in the Colombian first division. Carlos Valderrama may always be remembered for his unruly hair, but his play on the field will not be soon forgotten either. Valderrama joined Major League Soccer in its inaugural year 1996. I also thought after three years it was good to move to another challenge. They were successful in their first years of play, winning the first MLS Supporters' Shield behind MLS MVP Carlos Valderrama and high-scoring forward Roy Lassiter, whose 27 goals in 1996 remained the MLS single-season record until 2018. In 2000, he led the league in assists when he recorded 26. Back then, did you think MLS would grow to what it is today? All Major League Soccer trademarks and copyrights used by permission. After standout stretch, where will Bassett fall in 22U22 next week? Valderrama spent his initial years of footballing in South America and Europe. I definitely could have gone a couple more years. Poll: Who had the best single season in MLS history? An athlete, very good with the ball, but very strong. The main reason is I wanted to be part of something new. In 1993, Valderrama led a Colombian side to a mighty 5-0 win over rivals Argentina which led to their qualification for the 1994 World Cup. Lassiter was MLS's first Golden Boot winner, scoring 27 goals in the league's inaugural 1996 season – a record that stood until 2018. They crashed out of the World Cup in the group stages itself, which was also the case in the 1998 World Cup. https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-fc-cincinnati-vs-columbus-crew-sc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-orlando-city-sc-vs-new-york-city-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-toronto-fc-vs-new-york-red-bulls, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-dc-united-vs-philadelphia-union, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-houston-dynamo-vs-nashville-sc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-inter-miami-cf-vs-atlanta-united-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-fc-dallas-vs-sporting-kansas-city, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-real-salt-lake-vs-portland-timbers, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-los-angeles-football-club, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-14-la-galaxy-vs-san-jose-earthquakes, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-17-chicago-fire-fc-vs-sporting-kansas-city, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-17-montreal-impact-vs-inter-miami-cf, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-columbus-crew-sc-vs-new-york-city-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-new-york-red-bulls-vs-orlando-city-sc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-fc-cincinnati-vs-dc-united, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-toronto-fc-vs-atlanta-united-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-minnesota-united-fc-vs-houston-dynamo, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-portland-timbers-vs-los-angeles-football-club, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-la-galaxy-vs-vancouver-whitecaps-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-18-san-jose-earthquakes-vs-seattle-sounders-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-19-new-england-revolution-vs-philadelphia-union, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-20-nashville-sc-vs-fc-dallas, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-22-seattle-sounders-fc-vs-portland-timbers, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-23-nashville-sc-vs-new-england-revolution, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-inter-miami-cf-vs-orlando-city-sc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-atlanta-united-fc-vs-dc-united, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-new-york-city-fc-vs-montreal-impact, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-chicago-fire-fc-vs-new-york-red-bulls, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-fc-cincinnati-vs-minnesota-united-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-philadelphia-union-vs-toronto-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-houston-dynamo-vs-columbus-crew-sc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-sporting-kansas-city-vs-colorado-rapids, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-real-salt-lake-vs-fc-dallas, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-24-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-san-jose-earthquakes, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-25-los-angeles-football-club-vs-la-galaxy, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-27-montreal-impact-vs-nashville-sc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-27-vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-seattle-sounders-fc, https://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2020-10-28-new-york-red-bulls-vs-new-england-revolution.