Background: Dwayne De Rosario may not look Canadian with those patented dreadlocks, but he is. Frank Yallop brought him to America to play in MLS, but he has ensured he stayed here with his meticulous passes and historic affinity for the clutch goal. There are few players in league history with more honors that De Ro, so he belongs here.
Career: De Rosario played nearly 200 games and scored almost 50 goals for the same team, but he did it in two different towns because San Jose became Houston in 2006. He’s now with the Reds and doing well, but he will always be best remembered for his ability to rise to the occasion and score game winning goals on the biggest MLS stages.
Honors: When it comes to honors, De Ro is almost all by himself. He has been a member of 4 MLS Cup winning sides and he’s won a Supporters Shield. He also has a trunk full of individual trophies. He made 3 straight Best XI squads and was named MLS Cup MVP twice. He is also one of only two men to win the Goal of the Year Award twice.
Legacy: De Rosario’s legacy is largely defined by his ability to save his best for the most tense moments, like the MLS Cup Final. As a creative mid, he has few MLS peers, but what memorabilia will represent De Ro in my MLS Hall of Fame? Well, how about both his balls. I bet you think I am referring to his 2 MLS Cup game winning goal balls, but…
I am talking about his actual nuts. We won’t even have to bronze them because they are already made of steel.
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DeRo will be eligible for two Halls of Fame after retirement, the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, whose Induction Ceremony is this weekend, and the National Soccer Hall of Fame. As an added bit of news, Hall of Fame Historian Emeritus Colin Jose will be inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame this weekend. The National Soccer Hall of Fame Media Award is named for Colin.
DeRosario has been one of the bright lights in the MLS, one of the reasons to watch. You never knew when he would launch a creative move – his soccer thinking seemed advanced compared to most of his teammates.
Thanks to Frank Yallop for bringing DeRo South for these few years! When he hangs up his cleats, would he consider working as an offensive specialist coach?