From the first word, Adalberto conveys great humility. For him, work counts, what is demonstrated on the field. It's what he learned in his childhood in Panama: “They were quite complicated years. I have always loved football, I played every day with my brothers" 'Coco' tells us. Now Carrasquilla is one of the most interesting players in MLS and brings with him a suitcase full of experiences.
Carrasquilla: “I want to play in Europe”
Let's put things in order. Carrasquilla is a midfielder born in 1998, good both in a two-man midfield and in a three-man midfield. The classic box to box player. His story starts from the streets of Panama before moving to a real football field: “Tauro FC gave me the chance to improve myself and show off in professional football. It was the team that taught me everything" Adalberto tells gianlucadimarzio.com.
In a few years he becomes one of the best prospects in Panama. This is how the first tryouts around the world began: “At 18 I did tryouts with Fluminense and also with Roma. Benfica were also interested but in the end nothing came of it." Yes, in 'Coco's' journey there was also a stop in Italy: "One day we played against the first team. There were De Rossi, Maicon, El Shaarawy, Nainggolan."
Not only tryouts, but also opportunity from the MLS: “I remember that I did trials with Philadelphia Union, nothing came of it and in the end I returned to Panama. I trained alone for a year and then the call from Cartagena came."
Carrasquilla left home in 2019 and flew to Cartagena. In Spain he brings home promotion to Liga 2 as a protagonist and so, in 2021, it's time to leave again. He returns to America: “I chose Houston because the MLS is growing a lot. I didn't have any offers from La Liga, so I decided to go to the States."
“Football surprised me a lot. On television he seemed very passive, then as soon as I arrived I found a great rhythm. Adapting here wasn't easy." The first months were complicated, but now the 1998 class is a key man for Houston. 2023 was his golden year: victory of the US Open Cup, Eastern Conference final but above all the Golden Cup of the Gold Cup with Panama: “All players sometimes don't enjoy the moment 100%, I Instead I enjoyed everything. But now I want to do even more in 2024."
3 goals and 6 assists in 30 regular season games. Add a lot of substance and quality. Adalberto would be useful to many European teams: "For me it's time to play in Europe. I had a great season, the truth is that I would like it. But we have to wait, we will see in this market if there will be something that will satisfy both parties, even Houston. I want to leave thanking the club." 'Coco's ideas are clear, but he doesn't want to think about it too much. The head is only on the present, the rest will be seen. With the myth of Schweinsteiger and De Rossi, Adalberto is ready for Europe.
