If you watched the 2007 U-20 World Cup, then you definitely remember Sal Zizzo. He stood out on a U.S. team that reached the quarterfinals and also included Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Freddy Adu, Robbie Rogers, and Danny Szetela.
Zizzo was a constant threat on the right wing during the tournament, terrorizing defenders with his pace and skill. He set up two of Adu’s three goals in the U.S.’s 6-1 rout of Poland in group play. Check out the highlights below, which, in addition to showcasing Zizzo, serve as a reminder that the Adu hype of yore was indeed justified:
After the tournament—the U.S. lost 2-1 in the quarters to eventual fourth-place finishers Austria—Zizzo signed a three-year contract with German club Hannover 96, home of U.S. international defender Steve Cherundolo.
He never quite cracked the case at Hannover, though, and in October 2009 he suffered a torn ACL that caused him to miss the entire 2009-10 season.
Now, at 23, he’s coming back to the U.S. to try to get his career back on track. He was allocated via lottery to Chivas USA, but there are reports that the LA club may deal him to one of several MLS teams (including Red Bull New York) that have expressed an interest in the winger.
Zizzo’s arrival also swells the ranks of former UCLA Bruins on MLS rosters to 20—the most from any college in the nation.
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