Following weeks of speculation over his possible return to El Paso Locomotive FC, news was confirmed Wednesday that midfielder Sebastian Velasquez has signed with The Miami FC. The Colombian took to Twitter last week releasing a statement after speculation had been at a fever pitch. He had been silent for weeks while the fans in El Paso, and elsewhere waited anxiously for news. Miami FC released the following statement announcing the news:
“Sebastián is a player that has been on our radar for a while,” said The Miami FC head coach Nelson Vargas. “He’s the final piece we’ve wanted to complete our roster and we’re expecting great things from him. We know Sebastián will not only be a great addition on the field, but also off the field, where he is known for being very active in the community.”
The 28-year-old had been rumored to be in negotiations to renew with El Paso along with a variety of teams including Atlético Nacional and Envigado FC in Colombia. International Soccer Network had spoken exclusively with the Colombian about the details of his journey before news of the signing with Miami had been confirmed.
“I’ve had so many fans send me messages,” Velasquez said of El Paso. “They think that I didn’t want to come back to El Paso, which isn’t the case.”
A veteran of some of the top teams in the MLS, the move to the USL had been a refreshing new start. A mid-summer signing, the six-month contract with El Paso was short to make sure the city was a good fit for both the team and his family. After the horrible massacre at the local Wal-Mart on August 3rd that took the lives of 22 people, Velasquez assisted in leading efforts in raising over $35,000 for a local soccer team directly affected by the shooting.
The Colombian had easily won the hearts of the city, being embraced by the most dedicated club supporters. Several months later, the fan favorite posted a proud photo on Twitter having just closed on his first home, further extending his roots in the border region.
By the end of the season, El Paso Locomotive FC had wrapped a successful inaugural run, reaching the Western Conference Finals. They had arrived in the finals due in large part of the efforts of Velasquez, nailing a penalty kick in the final minutes of the quarterfinals facing Fresno. The high-level position was one Velasquez had faced several times in his career, not always with the desired result. Resorting to his mental strength and past experience, he remained calm before firing the ball past the goalkeeper to hit the back of the net.
Because of this success, many Locomotive supporters waited anxiously for the news that Velasquez would be signing an extended contract with El Paso, and if not, surely a return to MLS would be the reason.
Rather than rest on his laurels in the offseason, he traveled to his native Colombia to try his fate in the first division there. He was soon training with Atlético Nacional, on trial for two weeks until December 18th. Arguably one of the best clubs in a country with a deep history in fútbol, Atlético Nacional has consistently ranked among South America’s elite.
“El Paso had offered me a great contract in December to stay, but I told them the situation in Colombia,” Velasquez stated in his release. “I wanted to stay and play first division to be close to my mother. If I came back to the States, El Paso Locomotive would have first priority.”
Trials were going well and looking positive for Velasquez, until he suffered a grade 1 hamstring injury, sidelining him for a couple of weeks while the club continued to make contract decisions for the coming year. Though he was confident a chance remained, by mid-January it was clear Atlético Nacional had decided to move on. He remained in contact with El Paso, transparent with team management throughout the process.
“I stayed in Colombia because multiple clubs were interested – Deportes Tolima and Envigado FC,” Velasquez said speaking exclusively with ISN. “I waited until January 17th to get this resolved and nothing.”
El Paso in the meantime had also chosen to move on, much to the disappointment of Velasquez, other players, and most of all, his many fans in El Paso.
“I fell in love with El Paso,” Velasquez stated on Twitter. “I lived some life-changing events such as the birth of my daughter, I bought a new house, and I had to witness of the most tragic events in El Paso. I was at hospitals donating water and goods, volunteering at safe houses…the same way I helped during this event is the same way I was working on the field.”
EL Paso’s dream season last year is one that is becoming rare with each passing year as the league continues to evolve and increase in talent. Key talent, besides Velasquez, in making that happen had since moved on. Forward Jerome Kiesewetter had signed with Inter Miami CF and defender James Kiffe had decided to return home to California.
Velasquez leaves El Paso with a final message and fond memories with a hope to some day return to the Sun City.
“We got the home match in the playoffs and we won,” he said looking back to the final playoff game last season. “We came up towards the fans and started chanting, screaming, singing together as one – El Paso strong! I wish the club, the city, and the fans the best of luck this year…hopefully we see each other in the future! God bless you all and thank you for everything!”
