Javier Morales

Javier Morales

Personal information
Full name	Javier Damián Morales
Date of birth	January 10, 1980 (1980-01-10)
Place of birth	Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Real Salt Lake
Number	11
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1998–2000	Lanús	20	(0)
2000–2003	Arsenal	102	(14)
2003	Lanús	9	(0)
2004	Newell's Old Boys	11	(1)
2004–2005	Arsenal	44	(1)
2006	Instituto	14	(0)
2006–2007	UD Vecindario	23	(5)
2007–	Real Salt Lake	98	(17)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of October 28, 2011. † Appearances (Goals).

Javier Morales (born January 10, 1980 in Buenos Aires) is an Argentine footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer.

Career

Argentina

From 1998 to 2006, Morales played for four different clubs in the Primera Division Argentina, including two stints each with Lanús and Arsenal de Sarandí. He spent most of that time with Avellaneda-based Arsenal, playing in 146 matches and scoring 15 goals for the club. He spent his last season in Argentina with Instituto before moving to Spain.

Spain

Morales spent 2006-07 with UD Vecindario of the Spanish Second Division LIGA BBVA. In one lone season with the club, he scored five goals in 23 matches (20 starts). In August 2007, he moved to the United States to play for Real Salt Lake of the MLS.

United States

Morales was acquired by Real Salt Lake at the same time as fellow Argentines Matias Mantilla and Fabián Espíndola. Morales made an immediate impact for RSL: he tallied an assist 40 seconds into his MLS debut (August 29 vs. Kansas City Wizards) - the fastest first assist in MLS history. His first career goal for RSL came September 19 against Los Angeles Galaxy. He finished the season with one goal and two assists in seven matches (five starts).

In his second season with RSL (2008), Morales emerged as a star player and team leader. He started 29 of Real Salt Lake's 30 contests, totaling 6 goals (tied with Robbie Findley for second-highest on the team, just behind Yura Movsisyan). More importantly, Morales tallied 15 assists, shattering the club record of 11 set by Jeff Cunningham in 2006. It was the second-highest total in the MLS that season, behind only league MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto of Columbus Crew. His outstanding play guided RSL to the club's first-ever appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs, where Morales continued to shine. He figured in all three of the team's postseason goals, scoring one and assisting on two as RSL advanced to the Western Conference Final.

During the offseason, Morales signed a contract extension that keeps him in Salt Lake until 2012. In 2009, he continues as one of RSL's top players, although his numbers have declined somewhat. His play has been solid enough to earn him a selection in the 2009 MLS All-Star Game. Already a fan favorite, Morales endeared himself even more to the RSL faithful with a spectacular goal in the team's 1-0 exhibition victory over Club America on July 11. Morales started off the 2010 MLS season with a bang, tallying two goals and an assist against the San Jose Earthquakes.

On May 7, 2011, 38 minutes into the game against Chivas USA, Morales suffered a fracture-dislocation in his left ankle after a challenge from Marcos Mondaini. He was out for 4 1/2 months, returning to play on September 28, 2011.

Honors

Real Salt Lake

• Major League Soccer All-Star: 2009, 2010
• Major League Soccer Eastern Conference Championship (team): 2009
• Major League Soccer MLS Cup (team): 2009

See also

• List of current MLS players

External links

• MLS player profile
• Argentine League Statistics
• UD Vecindario webpage
• Guardian statistics