YOUNG COSTA RICAN INTERNATIONAL JOINS NASHVILLE SC FOR INAUGURAL MLS SEASON
NASHVILLE -Randall Leal knows what it’s like to be on the big stage.
The Costa Rican attacking midfielder is just 22 years old, and he’s already played in high-level competitions both at the domestic and international levels, including the CONCACAF Champions League and the Gold Cup. Now, he’ll bring his penchant for big moments into the bright lights of Music City.
Here’s everything you need to know about Randall Leal
:
The Basics
Name: Randall Leal
Position: Midfielder
How Acquired: Acquired from Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) on September 6, 2019
Age: 22
Height: 5’7’’
Weight: 163
Hometown: San José, Costa Rica
Past Clubs: Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica) 2018-19, KV Mechelen (Belgium) 2015-18, Guadalupe FC (Costa Rica) 2013-15
Academy: Guadalupe FC (Costa Rica)
Three Things to Know
El Tico Joven –
Leal has become a regular figure in the Costa Rican National Team since making his debut in the fall of 2018. He has made 15 appearances so far for Los Ticos, including three during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup when he helped get Costa Rica to the Quarterfinals. Leal recently earned his first assist with the senior national team, delivering a
pinpoint corner kick to the head of Francisco Calvo for the match-winning goal against Cura
ç
ao.
Conquering CONCACAF –
Before departing for Nashville SC, Leal managed to capture some significant silverware with his former club Deportivo Saprissa. This
f
all, Leal won the CONCACAF League with Saprissa, picking up three assists throughout the competition. In the two-legged final, Leal assisted on the lone goal of the first leg with
a brilliant through ball down the middle of the pitch.
Keeping Saprissa In The Mix –
In his two seasons with Costa Rica giants Saprissa, Leal helped keep the club among the elites in the Liga FPD. In 2018-19, he helped get them to the Clausura
F
inal before falling in the second leg. This past season, he helped guide Saprissa to the Apertura
S
emifinals before falling on penalties. In addition to winning CONCACAF League this season, Leal also made two appearances in the CONCACAF Champions League in 2019.
What They’re Saying
GM Mike Jacobs
“Randall is an exciting young attacking midfielder with bags of potential. He has the ability to influence matches in a variety of ways and has demonstrated that caliber on both the domestic and international stage.”
“I am very excited and honored to join Nashville SC, and I cannot wait to get there and start working hard for the club. I want to make a difference on and off the field as I continue to hopefully grow both as a player and as a person, and Nashville offers the level of ambition and eagerness to do things right that will allow me to accomplish both goals.”
Alejandro Zúñiga of Tico Times (To Tim Sullivan of For Club and Country)
“Leal is a right-footed midfielder, though he has flexibility to play as a winger or striker. He’s generally considered an intelligent player with good ball skills and speed. He’s not afraid to try long-range efforts and was rewarded with one of the year’s best goals — an upper-90 finish against rivals Alajuelense in August.”
Highlights
Free Kick Banger, February 2017
Upper 90, August 2019
Pinpoint Corner Kick, November 2019
Cool, Calm and Chippy, September 2019
Nose For the Net, August 2019
Defense-Carving Pass, November 2019
Tucks It Home, October 2019
