MLS FC Dallas

FC Dallas Acquires Atiba Harris

July 17, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
FC Dallas News Release


FRISCO, Texas (Friday, July 17, 2009) - FC Dallas General Manager Michael Hitchcock today announced that the team has acquired midfielder / forward Atiba Harris from Chivas USA in exchange for midfielder Marcelo Saragosa. The St. Kitts and Nevis international will join FC Dallas for training on Monday, July 20 and will be available for selection for the team's upcoming game at Real Salt Lake on July 24 (9 p.m. CT live on KFWD-52). As a holder of permanent resident status in the United States, Harris will not count against one of the team's eight international roster slots.

"We're excited to be able to bring Atiba Harris to FC Dallas," said FCD Head Coach Schellas Hyndman. "He is a tough, hard-nosed player who can play as both a wide midfielder and forward. As a player with tremendous athleticism, speed and power, we feel he will be able to make an immediate impact. We'd like to thank Marcelo Saragosa for his dedication to FC Dallas for the last four years. We will certainly miss Marcelo, and we wish him all the best at Chivas USA."

Harris has started 13 of 14 games this season for Chivas USA, scoring twice and adding two assists. The second of his two tallies proved to be the game-winner against FC Dallas in a 2-0 victory at The Home Depot Center on April 25. Now in his fourth year in Major League Soccer, the 24-year-old has appeared in 85 matches, totaling nine goals and nine assists.

As a 17-year-old in 2002, Harris joined the youth system of England's Newcastle United. He would move to Cádiz of Spain's First Division the following year before a loan to CD Linares of the Second Division for a part of the 2003-2004 season. In 2004 and 2005, Harris spent time at Elco St. Peters in his native St. Kitts and Nevis prior to making a move to MLS with Real Salt Lake in 2006.

Harris made his international debut with the St. Kitts and Nevis senior national team in 2000 at age 15, and has since accumulated 23 appearances and seven goals. Harris' most recent cap came in a 2008 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier against Belize, in which he played the full 90 minutes.

Saragosa started 44 of 54 games for FC Dallas after arriving from the LA Galaxy in 2006. The Brazilian was recognized for his versatility, appearing as both a central and wide midfielder, as well as on the right side of defense. In nine games during the 2009 season, the 27-year-old made eight starts and registered one assist.

Atiba Harris Professional Career:

2003: Cádiz (Spain)

2003-2004: CD Linares (Spain)

2004-2005: Elco St. Peters (St. Kitts)

2006-2007: Real Salt Lake

2008-2009: Chivas USA

Name: Atiba Harris

Number: TBD

Height: 6'3

Weight: 185

DOB: January 9, 1985

Birthplace: St. Peters, St. Kitts and Nevis

Hometown: St. Peters, St. Kitts and Nevis

Last Club: Chivas USA

Nationality: St. Kitts and Nevis

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 17, 2009


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