Osael Romero
FullnameWilliam Osael Romero Castillo
Birth date18 April 1986 (age 40)
Birth placeUsulután, El Salvador
Height1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
PositionMidfielder/Attacking midfielder
Years 12006
Clubs 1Atlético Chaparratique
Years 22006–2010
Clubs 2Vista Hermosa
Caps 2115
Goals 226
Years 32010
Clubs 3→ Chivas USA (loan)
Caps 39
Goals 31
Years 42011–2012
Clubs 4Águila
Caps 472
Goals 424
Years 52013
Clubs 5Alianza
Caps 523
Goals 58
Nationalyears 12004–2005
Nationalteam 1El Salvador U-20
Nationalyears 22007–2013
Nationalteam 2El Salvador
Nationalcaps 269
Nationalgoals 216
Pcupdate1 March 2014
Ntupdate7 September 2012

William Osael Romero Castillo (born 18 April 1986) is a Salvadoran former professional footballer. He was banned for life in 2013, for match fixing while playing for the El Salvador national football team.

Career

Club

Romero started his career at Atlético Chaparratique before joining Vista Hermosa in 2006.

On 1 February 2010, Chivas USA signed El Salvador international from FC Dallas who held a discovery claim on the player, the 23-year-old midfielder arrived in Los Angeles and comes on loan from Vista Hermosa.[1] On 26 June 2010, Romero scored his first MLS goal with Chivas USA in a game against FC Dallas at The Home Depot Center, which ended 1–2 in favor of FC Dallas.

He returned to his home country to join Águila for the 2010 Apertura.

International

Romero officially received his first cap on 13 October 2007 in a friendly match against Costa Rica. He scored his first goal for the national team on 22 October 2008 in a friendly match against Bolivia. Arguably, Romero's greatest moment to date as a Salvadoran international came on 11 February 2009 in a World Cup qualification match against Trinidad and Tobago when he scored two late goals from free kicks in the dying moments of the game to even the scores and save El Salvador from a disappointing home loss.[2] The game ended at 2–2. During the 2009 Gold Cup, Romero scored two goals against Costa Rica that gave El Salvador a victory over traditional rivals Costa Rica.[3]

As of February 2012, he has represented his country in 19 FIFA World Cup qualification matches[4] and played at the 2009[5] and 2011 UNCAF Nations Cups[6] as well as at the 2009[7] and 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cups.[8]

On 20 September 2013, Romero was one of 14 Salvadoran players banned for life due to their involvement with match fixing.[9]

International goals

GoalDateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.22 October 2008RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C., United StatesBolivia2–02–0Friendly
2.6 February 2009Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, United StatesPeru1–01–0
3.11 February 2009Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El SalvadorTrinidad and Tobago1–22–22010 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.2–2
5.27 May 2009Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, United StatesEcuador1–13–1Friendly
6.3–1
7.3 July 2009The Home Depot Center, Carson, United StatesCosta Rica0–12–12009 CONCACAF Gold Cup
8.1–2
9.16 January 2011Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, PanamaBLZ1–05–22011 Copa Centroamericana
10.12 June 2011Soldier Field, Chicago, United StatesCuba2–06–12011 CONCACAF Gold Cup
11.7 October 2011Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez, Santo Domingo, Dominican RepublicDominican Republic1–02–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
12.15 November 2011Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El SalvadorSUR1–04–0
13.2–0
14.8 June 2012Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa RicaCosta Rica2–22–2
15.7 September 2012Estadio Cuscatlan, San Salvador, El SalvadorGUY2–12–2
16.11 September 2012Providence Stadium, Providence, Guyana1–13–2

Awards

AchievementClubSeason
Primera DivisiónC.D. Vista Hermosa2005

Individual achievement

AwardYear
Top Scorer Primera División FESFUT (15 goles)2009
Player of the Year Primera División FESFUT2006–2010

References

  1. ^ Osael Romero signs with Chivas USA – Los Angeles Times
  2. ^ Gracias, Osael – La Prensa Grafica (in Spanish)
  3. ^ El Salvador stuns Costa Rica 2–1 with late goal Archived 7 July 2009 at the Wayback Machine – Gold Cup 2009
  4. ^
  5. ^ UNCAF (Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup) 2009 – Details – RSSSF
  6. ^ Copa Centroamericana 2011 (UNCAF Nations Cup) – RSSSF
  7. ^ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2009 – Full Details – RSSSF
  8. ^ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2011 – Full Details – RSSSF
  9. ^ "El Salvador match-fixing: 14 footballers banned for life". BBC News. 20 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.