Romero adds versatility to Impact
Can play on wings, up front or midfield
ORLANDO, FLA. — Wise beyond his years, having cut his teeth playing professionally in Argentina and Brazil, forward Andres Fabricio Romero makes no promises as he’s about to embark on his first season of Major League Soccer play with the Impact.
But surely the 23-year-old must understand he has a bull’s-eye on his chest — a primary reason why Montreal acquired Romero on loan from the Tombense Futebol Clube two weeks ago, added to the roster when he received his International Transfer Certificate. He arrived in Montreal just in time to accompany the Impact to Florida for 18 days of training and exhibition games.
“You always have pressure when you play, and I like to play under pressure,” Romero said through an interpreter on Thursday, during an interview at the team’s hotel in suburban Lake Mary, Fla., — the Impact getting a day off from on-field workouts, concentrating instead on recovering after some of the starters participated in a friendly exhibition match Wednesday afternoon against Orlando City of the USL.
“I don’t see why I won’t be able to perform,” he added.
It’s far too premature to suggest Romero is the final piece to the puzzle, coming to a team that missed the playoffs in 2012, its first season of MLS play. But the significance of his addition can’t be diminished. The Impact attempted unsuccessfully to secure his rights last season, the deal ultimately falling through.
Romero’s arrival gives the Impact nine foreign players, with a potential opening for two more.
“When you go out and get an international player, you’re hoping the guy’s go- ing to be an important part of your team,” assistant coach Mauro Biello said.
“He’s young, but he has a certain amount of experience. Up to now, he’s shown he has very good quality.”
Romero’s a versatile athlete who can play on both wings, up front or in the midfield. Technically, he’s considered very strong. He’s physically hard working, is considered aggressive — although a modest 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds — and goes up and down his wings. It was that versatility that impressed the organization, Impact sporting director Nick De Santis recently stated.
“This is important for us and him,” Biello said. “I think he’s going to do well.”
Born in Bell Ville, Argentina, Romero spent last season in Brazil’s First and Second Division. He made nine appearances for Criciuma, before completing the year with Clube Nautico Capibaribe, appearing in six more matches. He failed to score for either club.
Romero turned pro in 2008, playing for an Argentine First Division team in Buenos Aires.
“I’m very happy and glad. I came over to get myself better,” Romero said. “When they spoke to me about Montreal, it was something I found interesting. I took my decision to come. The MLS is becoming a big league. There are a lot of great players. I saw it as an opportunity.”
Although this month has been a blur to him, pro soccer players are accustomed to leading a nomadic life, Romero admitted. Romero, who lives at home with his parents, also left behind a steady girlfriend. Although he speaks neither English nor French, Romero knew no Portuguese before venturing to Brazil.
Now it becomes a question of how quickly he can adapt to the North American game and mesh with his new teammates, some of whom — Alessandro Nesta, Marco Di Vaio, Matteo Ferrari and Nelson Rivas — he’s already familiar with.
If the soccer played in Brazil and Argentina is more of a technical game, Romero will have to get used to the physical style in the MLS. “It won’t be tough,” he vowed. “I don’t see myself having problems.”
Biello said the organization can exercise a certain amount of patience, but remains confident Romero can make a smooth transition. It’s no secret the Impact has looked frequently into acquiring South American players.
“He has all the qualities we like,” Biello said. “The guy can make plays. Now it’s about adapting, getting used to the culture and language. That takes a bit of time. Until now, he has meshed in well and done well in (exhibition) games. I look forward to seeing him reach the next level with us.
“Argentinians are technically good,” Biello added. “They play in a physical league ... at a high pace and tempo. That’s similar to our style.
“He’s fast, physical, hardworking and, obviously, technically good. That’s what most suits us and our league. That’s why we looked there.”
The Impact returns to practice Friday morning, their final session before meeting Columbus Saturday night (8 p.m.) in the final of the Disney Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee. The game will be televised by RDS2. The team returns to Montreal on Sunday to begin preparing for its regular season opener on March 2 at Seattle.