On Saturday night when Real Salt Lake faces Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it will be the first time that RSL winger Jefferson Savarino and Atlanta striker Josef Martinez square off on the field. The two Venezuelan National Teamers came to MLS last year amidst strife in their homeland and have taken well to their new environments.
But their success on the field means far more than goals and assists or points in the standings. When they take the field, they represent the millions of people in Venezuela who hope for better things for their country and give them something – no matter how distant – to take pride in.