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Johnny Chavarria, 16, of Las Vegas, Nevada Wins Sueño MLS

May 18, 2014 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


LOS ANGELES & NEW YORK (Sunday, May 18, 2014) - Johnny Chavarria, a 16 year-old defender from Las Vegas, Nevada has been named the winner of Sueño MLS 2014 - Presented by Allstate, the nationally-televised search for the best young soccer player in the country. Chavarria, who was discovered by scouts at the LA Galaxy trials, has been invited to join one of the club's Academy teams.

In addition, Steven Manuel Ortiz, a 14 year-old goalkeeper from Linden, New Jersey, has won the Allstate "Good Hands©" top goalkeeper award - El Portero Allstate award. Ortiz is the youngest goalkeeper to win this award and has been invited to join one of New York Red Bulls Academy teams, where he was initially discovered at the local tryouts.

The announcement was made today from The Stubhub Center in Carson, Calif., live on Univision Network's República Deportiva, which has chronicled the competition in a "reality show within a show" format.

"Despite is young age, Chavarria proved to be very technical," said Sueño MLS mentor/coach Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama. "He is a player with the ability to challenge his opponent when he doesn't have ball possession; who has good positioning and knows how to read the play."

"It feels amazing, knowing that you are one of the best out of hundreds that tried out," said Chavarria. "I just played my game and it all worked out. I hope that this will open more doors, and opportunities. I would like to dedicate this award to my mom, as she has always supported me and my dream."

"Ortiz has all the skills a goalkeeper needs. He is quick and agile but also has a great command of the field and is very knowledgeable of the game. A goalkeeper needs to do more than just defend, he has to be the first one to attack and is the last line of defense, and he is very good at both," said Allstate "Good Hands©" top goalkeeper - El Portero Allstate mentor/coach, Mexican goalkeeping legend Martin "El Pulpo" Zuñiga.

The two winners were among the 18 national finalists, including 15 field players and three goalkeepers, who were in Southern California for six days of competition and mentoring by top soccer legends, including MLS Colombian World Cup legend, Carlos "El Pibe" Valderrama, Alfonso Mondelo and Zuñiga.

Now in its eighth year, Sueño MLS 2014 - Presented by Allstate was staged by three Major League Soccer teams, including the Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy, and for the first time New York Red Bulls. Up to 400 tryout spots were made available in each city on a first come, first served basis. The finalists were chosen from the nearly 3,000 players who registered for the open trials.

In addition, the Allstate "Good Hands©" top goalkeeper award - El Portero Allstate - was presented for the fourth consecutive year. One goalkeeper at each of the three local tryouts was selected as a local goalkeeper finalist to compete in the National Final for the opportunity to be named El Portero Allstate.

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