Cuban makes first start two days after joining new team
It’s been a wild week for Impact full-back Jorge Corrales, to say the least. The Cuban defender was traded to the Impact on MLS transfer deadline day, last Wednesday, by the Chicago Fire.
Corrales wasted no time, joining his new teammates in Montreal the following morning and taking part in his first training session. Friday, he would train again, then join the team as they made their way to – you guessed it – Chicago, where the Impact would take on the Fire the following day.
Saturday, Corrales would start for the Impact, against the team he called his just four days prior.
“I didn’t expect the news,” said full-back Jorge Corrales. “I was training like any other day in Chicago and the coach called me into his office and explained everything. That’s how it is in soccer and in life. You need to take advantage of your opportunities and give your best.”
Corrales did take advantage, providing the assist on the Impact’s equalizer, in the 76th minute, on an inch-perfect cross for Bacary Sagna at the far post. The Cuban also completed 49 passes, managing an impressive 86% success rate through 90 minutes of play.
Defensively, he was solid, not shying away from tackles and doing a good job recovering the ball in his own third.
“I work hard and I always put the team first,” said Corrales. “If I have to die on the field for the team, I’ll do it. When the game is really hard, I’m the guy who will always try to lift our spirits and bring energy to the side.”
This isn’t the first trade in Corrales’ career. Back in 2016 playing in the NASL, the full-back was traded from Miami FC to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. The distance this time around is a little bigger between both cities, although the experience gained from that trade will certainly help him adapt this time around as well.
So far, Corrales has been enjoying his Canadian experience.
“It’s been a lot of fun. It’s the first time my teammates got my name right, although I know it’s difficult. There are a lot of great guys here and the coach is really good. Hopefully we can make the playoffs, because that’s what we want.”
