Before this week, perhaps the best connection between the Sounders and FC Barcelona occurred in August 2009, when the Spanish giant topped Seattle in a 4-0 friendly. Lionel Messi recorded two goals as the defending UEFA Champions League winner put on a show in front of over 66,000 fans at CenturyLink Field. There is also the established friendship between Nicolás Lodeiro and FC Barcelona forward Luis Suarez as teammates for their native Uruguay.
With the signing of midfielder Victor Rodriguez on Wednesday, though, a direct line has been established between the two clubs. For four years, Rodriguez spent time with La Masia, FC Barcelona's youth academy, which is considered one of the best soccer residencies in the world.
Rodriguez joined La Masia in 2001 as he entered his teen years. During this time, some of the world's present-day best players were also in the academy, including Messi, Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas. Even LA Galaxy midfielders Giovani and Jonathan dos Santos were there, too.
A native of Barcelona, Rodriguez was integrated with the playing style and philosophy of FC Barcelona while at La Masia.
In 2005, Rodriguez and defender Jordi Alba, who now stars for FC Barcelona and Spain's national team, were both cut from the program after being deemed too small. The former teammates then shared a special moment in November 2012 when Rodriguez's Real Zaragoza visited Camp Nou to face Alba and FC Barcelona. Both players were featured in their respective Starting XI's, with Barcelona earning a 3-1 victory.
Despite never reaching FC Barcelona's senior team, Rodriguez had a formidable career in Spain. He spent nine seasons with six different clubs, earning over 120 appearances in La Liga. For all of his efforts, he was included in an article by World Soccer that listed six La Masia players “who got away.”
