Chivas USA...more USA than you would think Part 9

New coach Martin Vasquez suited up for the USA 7 times.

With the departure of Coach Preki, former assistant Martin Vasquez was brought in to lead the the Rebaño Angelino for the 2010 campaign.  What many don't know about the man from Yahualica, in the Mexican state of Jalisco, is that he was capped for the United States National team.  Twice against Mexico (which he actually represented thrice in unofficial matches in the early 90's).

Vasquez's was first capped by then USA head coach Steve Sampson in 1996.  But his American Odyssey started in 1975 when he and his family immigrated to Alhambra, CA.  After being one the of the best players at the high school level, he played collegiately at Cal State University, Los Angeles from 1980 - 1983. 

After college, he wandered around the lower tiers of American soccer as well as Indoor Soccer spending time with both the LA Lazers, and Memphis Storm.  While with the Storm between 1986 and 1987, Vasquez light up the scoreboards of Graceland as he connected for 17 goals in 26 appearances.  Following a brief stint with the California Kickers of the Western Soccer Alliance, Vasquez returned to Mexico with the Leones Negros  (Black Lions) de la Universidad de Guadalajara.  Between 1987 and 1990, he appeared 62 times for them, while scoring two goals.  

The next two seasons he split between Puebla and Veracruz of Mexico's first division before fore settling with Atlas (in stadium rivals of Chivas de Guadalajara) from 1992-1996.  After representing the "Rojinegros" for 4 seasons, he made his way back to the United States.  Where upon arrival, signed with the Tampa Bay Mutiny of MLS.  That same year he received his United States citizenship and became eligible to represent the United States in Soccer.

With qualification for the hexagonal round of 1998 FIFA World Cup Qualifying assured, Steve Sampson called upon Martin Vasquez to join the team for its last fixture vs. Guatemala.  He wet the full 90 in a 2-2 draw.  His next appearance for the United States came the following January in a 2-0 loss to Mexico at the Rose Bowl.  While he was subbed out in the 50th minute, it wouldn't be the last time he'd see Mexico on the field though.  Near the end of qualification for the World Cup, Vasquez came off the bench in in the 79th minute to help hold Mexico to a historic 0-0 draw.  To this date, it's the only point the United States has earned in qualifying, while playing in Mexico. 

From China to Baltimore, and from Mexico DF to Foxboro, Martin Vasquez represented the United States of America 7 times.  He became the first player of Mexican descent to represent the USA in official FIFA matches.  Thus paving the way for players like Jose Francisco Torres, Michael Orozco, Herculez Gomez, Omar Gonzalez, Nick Garcia, Jose Buriaga, Jr, and Edgar Castillo to represent the Red, White, and Blue.