LAFC’s new Uruguayan attacker has one speed and one direction: fast and forward

LAFC Staff

According to Merriam-Webster, a dynamic person or place is “marked by continuous and productive activity or change; energetic, forceful.”

LAFC’s newest addition, 21-year-old Cristian Olivera, is “one of the most recognizable faces in Uruguayan soccer,” as the Spanish magazine AS.com puts it. Here are five facts about the Black & Gold’s new forward that you may not know.

HERMANDAD URUGUAYA

Olivera, who goes by the nickname “KiKe,” is one of three Under-22 players for LAFC. Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, is a football-crazed town that also gave birth to Diego Rossi (now with Columbus Crew), LAFC’s second all-time goal scorer, and Francisco Ginella (on loan to Uruguayan side Nacional). Similar to fellow Uruguayan and current Club América of Liga MX player Brian Rodriguez, Olivera has excellent one-on-one talents.

TURN AND BURN

When watching footage of Olivera play, the first thing that jumps out is his speed, both with the ball and when changing directions. YouTube highlight films of Olivera reveal a player who routinely outpaces defenders in the top level of Uruguayan soccer and for South American national teams. Olivera’s forthrightness is the second distinguishing feature that jumps out at the viewer. The ball seems to be attached to him by a bungee cord as he drags it straight into the air toward the goal. Once in the attacking third, he often finds open teammates to receive his generous passes.

MORE THAN A FEELING

Olivera has just ended a season with Boston River in Uruguay’s top level, the Primera. With “the Verdirrojo,” he made 38 appearances and scored 10 goals with eight assists. Olivera reportedly had the most successful dribbles (188) in the 2023 Apertura Tournament, as reported by AS.com. Olivera played for the Uruguayan U17 national team and scored four goals in 19 games.

SU MOTOR

Olivera became a father in the spring of 2022 and calls his daughter “my engine.” He and his partner welcomed their second daughter earlier this year

THE OBSTACLE IS THE WAY

After a promising stint with La Liga team Almera, Olivera returned to Uruguay to play for Pearol, the same huge club that spawned the careers of Rossi and Rodriguez. Although the epidemic and its effects slowed Olivera’s growth, he told El Pais in July 2023, “Hoy mismo me encuentro mas maduro y mas profesional.” (“Today I feel more mature and professional.”)