Among the many prerequisites needed to be a successful Major League Soccer general manager is an understanding of the many facets of soccer — and is there any question Steve Pastorino fits that description?
After all, his father nearly skipped his son's high school graduation in 1990 so he could stay home to watch a World Cup game involving the United States.
The son of a U.S. diplomat, Pastorino has lived on three different continents, but through it all, soccer was in his blood. After living in Portugal, Colombia, Mexico and the United States, Pastorino is ready to make Salt Lake City his next stop. Pastorino, 35, was introduced last week as the general manager of Utah's expansion MLS franchise, and he couldn't be more excited.
"My legacy in this franchise starts right now," said Pastorino in a conference call last Thursday. "I've been on the ground for about 48 hours, so forgive me if it seems like we're going a million miles an hour."
With opening day on the franchise's inaugural 2005 season just seven months away, Pastorino admits there's no time for a slower pace.
Between naming a coach, hiring a staff, finalizing the team name, logo and colors and getting ticket prices and packages ready, Pastorino is suddenly a very busy man.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't think this franchise was going to be successful," said Pastorino. "I was in too good of a position in Chicago."
Soon after being awarded an MLS expansion franchise two months ago, the team made its intensions clear of wanting to hire a young and ambitious staff.
Pastorino was the perfect fit. Having spent the last seven years with the Chicago Fire, he had a hand in virtually every aspect of the organization. In 1998 and 2001 he was named the MLS Marketing Executive of the Year. He increased the Fire's presence on radio and television, and under his guidance advertising campaigns flourished.
The past two seasons Pastorino worked as Chicago's assistant general manager. One of his primary roles was building support from corporate and civic organizations in the Fire's quest to build a soccer-specific stadium. The team expects to be playing in that new stadium by 2006.
Such knowledge and experience will help Salt Lake City put a competitive team on the field, but also pursue a soccer stadium of its own.
"The last two years I've been on the right side of (Chicago GM) Peter Wilt," said Pastorino. "I've learned how it works from a salary cap and roster standpoint, and a team technical side, and what it takes to build a team if given the opportunity."
His opportunity is now.
ENDLINES: Preliminary ticket sales are under way for Utah's Major League Soccer team. Even though final ticket prices haven't been determined, fans can reserve tickets at mlsnet.com for $30 per seat. Pastorino said the quicker fans get their names registered, the better seats they'll ultimately receive . . . Dave Allred, the former vice president of communication with the Utah Jazz, is no longer working for Salt Lake's MLS team. He joined the staff in early August but left a few weeks later to rejoin Richter 7 public relations.
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com