Former FC Barcelona player Oriol Rosell wins the MLS Cup

From La Masia to the United States of America, from FC Barcelona to Sporting Kansas City. This is the trajectory of the former Barça youth academy player Oriol Rosell, a 21-year-old midfielder. Rosell claimed the Major League Soccer Cup title after his team defeated Real Salt Lake in the final of the tournament (1-1, 7-6 on penalties). It is Sporting Kansas City’s second title in club history.

The former Barça player, however, was unable to play the entirety of the final due to an injury to his left ankle. The Catalan sustained an involuntary stomp from Robbie Findly after only eight minutes of play.

FC Barcelona past

The midfielder joined FC Barcelona in 2006, at the age of 14. An important moment in the player’s career was on January 14 of 2012, when he made his debut with Barça B in Segunda División. The Catalan played the final seven minutes of the match against UD Las Palmas, Barça were defeated by 1-3.

Rosell signed with Sporting Kansas City in August of 2012, thus becoming the second La Masia player to make the jump to the MLS. The first Barça youth academy player to take his skills across the Atlantic was Albert Celades.

This season the Catalan was named the best under 21 player of the league and he’s become a critical part of the Sporting’s midfield.