My brother Jesus "Mano" was quoted in the Washington Post talking about our former foreign exchange student Wanchope.

Multisport Scoring Threat Wanchope
Leads Costa Rica Against U.S. on Wednesday

By Steven Goff
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, April 24, 2001; Page D05

The most imminent threat to the U.S. national
soccer team's unbeaten run in its pursuit of a
2002 World Cup berth is a former star athlete from
a tiny private high school in a California desert
town on the Mexican border.

But Paulo Wanchope, who's known these days as
the top striker on Costa Rica's national team and
a high-priced standout for Manchester City in the
English Premier League, did not excel at soccer
while attending Vincent Memorial High School in
Calexico, Calif., as a junior and senior foreign
exchange student.

"He was a quick leaper, a good all-around
player," Jesus Gonzalez, the co-coach of the
private school's basketball team recalled during a
telephone conversation yesterday. "Then he started
hitting the weights, and that second year, he was
just unstoppable on the court. He was the best
we've seen here."

Wanchope, now 24, averaged 31 points and 20
rebounds his senior season and led his six-player
basketball squad to a small-school championship
game at San Diego Sports Arena. He was a first-
team all-state selection and received scholarship
offers from major college programs, such as Nevada-
Las Vegas and Michigan State.

But Wanchope's passion was soccer, so he
returned home and began a pro career that has
taken him from the modest Costa Rican league to
three clubs in five English seasons. Ten days ago,
Wanchope attracted attention throughout Britain by
scoring a wondrous goal against Leicester City, a
back-heel shot through the legs of a defender from
about six yards in the 66th minute that led to a 2-
1 Manchester City victory.

The national newspapers proclaimed "Wanchope
made Leicester disappear with a magician's touch that
was pure theatre" and described the goal as "the
kind of zany masterpiece that made his name."

Wanchope says he enjoys scoring goals with
individual flair, but "when all the teammates are
involved, it is beautiful."

Wanchope nearly had another grand moment this
past weekend against behemoth neighbor Manchester
United, but his scoring bid was cleared off the
goal line by defender Jaap Stam during a 1-1 tie.
Following that match, Wanchope headed back across
the Atlantic to rejoin Costa Rica's national team
for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against the
United States at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.

The Americans (2-0) lead the six-team group,
just ahead of the Costa Ricans (1-0-1), who have
caused severe problems for the U.S. squad over the
years with their hallmark free-wheeling, high-
scoring attack. At the pinnacle of the charge is
Wanchope. He's 6 feet 4 and has long, lean legs
that provide a race horse's gait but sometimes
clumsy, unpredictable ball control.

As Jim Smith, his former manager at England's
Derby County once said: "We have a laugh saying
that he doesn't know what he's doing, but I think
he does. He has a funny habit of getting past
people when you think he has lost it."

Said U.S. Coach Bruce Arena: "Physically he is a
dominating player and is terrific in front of the
goal. He has long legs and is able to stretch and
get at the end of [passes] that most forwards
can't. The biggest thing about him is his athletic
dimensions that we need to be aware of."

Despite Wanchope's team-high nine goals and three
assists in 23 league appearances, it has not been
the most enjoyable season. Manchester City (7-18-
10) is 19th among 20 teams, and with only three
matches remaining, the club is almost certain to
be relegated to the First Division.

Wanchope has had conflicts with the front office
as well, apparently slacking in reserve matches
and irritating Manager Joe Royle with his frequent
trips for national team duty. As a result, the
club seemed ready to sell him. However, Wanchope
expressed his commitment last week by withdrawing
from a Costa Rica friendly match against Venezuela
in order to prepare for United.

"I want to stay at City," he told the British
media. "I know all about the club's tradition and
history and I want to be part of it, even if we
suffer relegation along the way. . . . There is
something special here."

Wanchope's English adventure is a long way from
his days at 200-student Vincent Memorial, where he
was in the basketball spotlight. However, he did
play some soccer while living in California,
leading a select club team to the under-19 state
title. Gonzalez tried to get him to play soccer at
the University of San Diego, but Wanchope went
home to sign with Herediano before being sold to
Derby County for about $1.05 million in March 1997.

"It's great to see him doing so well in soccer,"
Gonzalez said. "People here definitely will
remember him as Wanchope the basketball player."

© 2001 The Washington Post Company