22345: (Hermantin)Sun-Sentinel-Pedro' makes Rapid strides (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Pedro' makes Rapid strides



By Jeff Rusnak
Staff writer

June 10, 2004

When talk of placing an A-League team at Lockhart Stadium first surfaced
last year, the list of prospective players included Haitian forward
Jean-Philippe "Pedro" Peguero. The effort to bring a team to Fort Lauderdale
is ongoing, but if and when it begins play, it will probably do so without
the 22-year-old international.

"Sorry about that, he's presently occupied," said Colorado Rapids coach Tim
Hankinson, who got to Peguero first and is intent on keeping him.

Peguero became the third Haitian to play in Major League Soccer when he
signed with Colorado in March. His performance thus far -- a team-leading
three goals and two assists in eight games -- suggests he'll outlast his
predecessors, forwards Patrick Tardieu and Sebastien Vorbe, who played one
season each.

Like Tardieu and Vorbe, Peguero emerged from South Florida's vibrant Haitian
soccer community, where talented players often go unnoticed in local amateur
leagues. Peguero moved with his family to Fort Lauderdale four years ago
from Port-de-Paix, Haiti, and after receiving his green card, he made a
living working for Publix Supermarkets and Baer's Furniture.

His career options changed dramatically with his impressive play for Haiti
in the past year. He was the best player on Haiti's under-23 team during
2004 Olympic qualifying and is a starter for the full national team, which
plays Jamaica in a World Cup qualifier Saturday night at the Orange Bowl.

His breakthrough came in a 1-1 draw against the United States three months
ago, when he matched up well with American defenders Eddie Pope and Carlos
Bocanegra. That game and the recommendation of Haiti coach Fernando Clavijo
earned him a tryout at Colorado, where he had a contract offer by the second
day.

"It's been great," Peguero said Tuesday from Cocoa Beach, where Haiti is
training. "My dream was to play in MLS, so I just worked hard and kept
moving forward. [My parents] were always pushing me, telling me `You have
something, use it.' I think they are really happy."

Peguero's mother, father and two sisters haven't been to Denver to see Pedro
play, but they watch Rapids games on television and have plenty to be proud
of. Peguero debuted with an assist on a John Spencer goal in the season
opener against Dallas. He upstaged Freddy Adu with a goal and an assist in a
2-1 win over D.C. United, and scored the Colorado goal in a pair of 1-1 ties
with MLS leader Los Angeles.

"We're very pleased with his goal-scoring ability," Hankinson said. "The
fact that he's a young player means the development and growth of his game
is yet to come."

Argentina, Colombia

play at Orange Bowl

Argentina and Colombia will play a friendly at 8 p.m. on June 27 at the
Orange Bowl.

For Argentina, the match is part of a two-game United States swing that will
conclude against Copa America host Peru on June 30 in East Rutherford, N.J.


Copyright © 2004, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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