Gabriel Cichero out to make a name for himself

By BRIAN LEWIS

Give this to Gabriel Cichero; he’s not coming to the Red Bulls for a New York vacation on the club’s dime, like so many MetroStars used to. He’s here to shine under the spotlight of the world’s biggest stage.

Then cash in.

People, I present to you That’s Where the Bucks Is 2.0, a la Fabian Taylor.

“I think the USA league, MLS, is growing a lot,’’ Cichero said on his first day of practice after flying in from Venezuela. “There’s a lot of good players are coming here. I know that good players don’t come to a country because they like it or anything like that; they know it’s a growth in the soccer. That’s why I came here.

“I came here to leave a name, to lift my name here in New York. I not only want to stay here; I have big goals. I always try to achieve them. Thank God I achieved all the goals I wanted, play Europe, to play in the National Team. This is an opportunity for people to come look at me and I feel happy. That’s the most important thing.’’

The 24-year-old has already made something of a name for himself, having played on the Venezuelan National Team alongside his country’s captain, Jorge Rojas. After El Zurdo signed with the Red Bulls, now Cichero has followed him to New York, albeit on a loan deal.

“We have an interest in Gabriel for anywhere from a six-to-18-month contract and the terms we’re still negotiating,’’ said sporting director Jeff Agoos, who acknowledged the likelihood of an option to buy. “With any player you bring on loan typically there’s an option to buy; I’d be very surprised if there’s not an option to buy on this one as well.’’

Cichero, a former U-20 striker who is stellar in the air, seems best suited for central defense. But both Agoos and coach Juan Carlos Osorio view him as a complete defender capable of playing centrally in a three or four man backline, or even at left fullback if needed.

“I can see him playing in central defense or on the left,’’ Agoos said. “Obviously he’s a top defender, young, left-footed, good in the air, good distributing out of the back. Tick off all of the boxes we’re looking for a defender to have, he has just about every one of those.’’