Ariel Lassiter

Ariel "Ari" Daniel Lassiter Acuña (born September 27, 1994) is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays for the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer and the Costa Rica national team, as a striker.

Ariel Lassiter
Lassiter in 2019
Personal information
Full name Ariel Daniel Lassiter Acuña
Date of birth (1994-09-27) September 27, 1994
Place of birth Turrialba, Costa Rica
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Striker
Club information
Current team
 Houston Dynamo
Number 11
Youth career
2009–2013 Albion SC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013 Cal Poly Mustangs 21 (5)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014 GAIS 12 (1)
2015–2018 LA Galaxy II 58 (30)
2015–2018 LA Galaxy 25 (1)
2019–2020 Alajuelense 64 (24)
2020 → Houston Dynamo (loan) 16 (3)
2021– Houston Dynamo 0 (0)
National team‡
2015 United States U23 2 (0)
2015 Costa Rica U23 5 (2)
2019– Costa Rica 7 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14 November 2020
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 November 2020

Youth and college

Lassiter attended Great Oak High School in Temecula, California, where he played on the school soccer team for 4 years, captaining the team for 2 years. He received multiple accolades during his high school career, including being named two-time Inland Empire High School Player of the Year.[1] Lassiter also spent 5 years playing for Albion SC, a youth soccer club in San Diego, California.[2]

Lassiter played college soccer for the Cal Poly Mustangs. He had 5 goals and 4 assists from 21 appearances during his first season for the Mustangs, earning a spot on the Big West Conference All-Freshman team. He left Cal Poly after his freshman season.[3]

Club career

GAIS

In July 2014, Lassiter signed with GAIS in the Swedish Superettan.[4] He made his debut for GAIS on August 9, 2014, playing 70 minutes in a 2–1 win over Husqvarna FF. On August 23, he scored his first goal in a 2–0 win against Varbergs BoIS.[5] Lassiter ended his first professional season with 1 goal from 12 matches.

LA Galaxy

On January 29, 2015, Lassiter signed with LA Galaxy II of the United Soccer League.[6] He made his debut for Galaxy II on March 22, coming on as a substitute in a 0–0 draw with Real Monarchs. Lassiter scored his first goal for Los Dos on April 11 to help Galaxy II to a 3–1 win over Sacramento Republic.[5] He finished the regular season with 11 goals and 1 assist from 21 games, helping Galaxy II qualify for the playoffs.[7] Lassiter scored 4 times in the playoffs as Los Dos reached the final, where they fell 2–1 to the Rochester Rhinos. He also scored once in the U.S. Open Cup as Galaxy II lost to Ventura County Fusion 2–1.[8] The 2015 season also saw Lassiter make one appearance for the Galaxy first team, coming on as a substitute in a 3–0 loss to the Houston Dynamo in an MLS match on July 25.[5]

On March 5, 2016, the Galaxy announced Lassiter had signed a first-team contract.[9] He started the season with Galaxy II, scoring 2 goals in a 2–0 win over Arizona United on March 26. The following week, Lassiter got his first ever MLS start as he helped the Galaxy first team to a 0–0 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps. He then started 5 straight games for the reserves before suffering a back injury that kept him out for 2 months.[5][10] Lassiter returned from his injury and played with Galaxy II for the rest of their season, scoring 9 goals and recording 1 assist from 16 games as he helped Los Dos reach the playoffs, where they lost 3–0 to Swope Park Rangers in their first game. After being eliminated from the playoffs, Lassiter returned to the Galaxy first team and played in the final 2 games of the regular season. The Galaxy qualified for the playoffs, but Lassiter did not appear in any of the three matches.[5]

The 2017 season saw Lassiter split his time between the Galaxy first team and Galaxy II. On June 14, he scored his first goal for the Galaxy senior team to help LA defeat Orange County SC 3–1 in a U.S. Open Cup match. He scored again on June 28 as the Galaxy defeated Sacramento Republic 2–0 to advance to the Open Cup Quarterfinals, where they fell 3–2 to the San Jose Earthquakes. On July 23, Lassiter scored his first career MLS goal as the Galaxy lost 4–3 to the New England Revolution. He ended the season 1 goal from 14 MLS appearances, all coming from the bench, as well as 3 appearances and 2 goals in the Open Cup for the Galaxy first team. He also had 9 appearances and 5 goals for Galaxy II during the season.[5]

In 2018, Lassiter primarily featured for Galaxy II, scoring 5 goals and recording 4 assists from 12 appearances. He saw limited involvement with the Galaxy first team during 2018, making 7 substitute appearances during league play and playing twice in the Open Cup, where he scored 2 goals.[7]

On November 26, 2018, the Galaxy declined Lassiter's contract option for the 2019 season.[11]

Alajuelense

On December 18, 2018, Lassiter signed with Costa Rican club Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.[12][13] He made his debut for Alajuelense on January 16, 2019 in a 3–3 draw against C.F. Universidad de Costa Rica. He scored his first goal for Alajuelense on February 27 in a 4–2 win over Cartaginés. Lassiter ended his first season in Costa Rica with 3 goals from 16 games.[5] Alajuelense finished the clausura season in 6th place, missing out on the playoffs by 2 points.[14]

On July 21, 2019, Lassiter scored once to give Alajuelense a 1–0 win over Guadalupe F.C. in the opening match of the 2019 Apertura. The following game saw Lassiter score once and record an assist as Los Leones defeated Limón F.C. 2–1.[5] He scored twice on September 8 to give Alajuelense a 2–0 win over A.D.R. Jicaral.[15] Lassiter scored another brace on October 6 as Alajuelense defeated Deportivo Saprissa 5–2.[16] He finished the Apertura regular season with 12 goals and 5 assists from 20 appearances, helping Alajuelense finish top of the table.[5][17] Lassiter made 4 appearances in the playoffs as he helped Los Leones reach the final, where they lose 2–0 to C.S. Herediano. Since the playoff winner was different than the regular season winner, a two-legged grand final was held between Alajuelense and Herediano to determine the Apertura champion. Lassiter appeared in both legs, but Herediano won 5–4 on penalties after the teams played to a 2–2 aggregate score.[5]

Alajuelense opened the 2020 Clausura on January 12, 2020, beating Limón 4–1 win Lassiter scoring once and adding an assist. On February 4 he scored twice as Los Leones beat Municipal Grecia 5–1. On February 12, Lassiter scored in the 93rd minute to give Alajuelense a 3–2 win over Guadalupe. On March 14, he had 1 goal and 4 assists to help Alajuelense defeat La U Universitarios 6–1. Lassiter finished the Clausura regular season with 8 goals and 9 assists from 18 appearances, helping Los Leones finish 3rd in the table and qualify for the playoffs. Lassiter made 4 appearances and scored once in the playoffs as Alajuelense reached the final, where the fell to Saprissa 3–0 over two legs.[5] On May 4, 2020, Lassiter was signed a new contract with Alajuelense until 2023.[18]

Houston Dynamo

On August 17, 2020, Lassiter returned to MLS by going on loan to the Houston Dynamo. Houston sent $50,000 in general allocation money to the LA Galaxy to acquire his MLS rights.[19] He made his Dynamo debut on September 2, coming on as a substitute and scoring twice to give Houston a 3–0 win over Minnesota United.[20] On October 7 Lassiter recorded his first assist for the Dynamo in a 2–0 win over Texas Derby rivals FC Dallas. On October 28 he scored once in a 2–1 loss to LAFC. Lassiter ended the season with 3 goals and 1 assist from 16 appearances. It was a poor season for Houston overall, finishing bottom of the Western Conference and missing out on the playoffs.[21]

On December 1, 2020, the Dynamo announced that they had exercised their purchase option to make Lassiter's move permanent.[22] While the official transfer fee was not announced, it was reportedly around $400,000.[23]

International career

Born in Costa Rica and raised in the United States, Lassiter was eligible to play for both national teams. He represented the United States U-23 national team twice in friendlies during 2015. Later that year, he switched to the Costa Rican U-23 National team and represented them at the 2015 Toulon Tournament.[24]

He made his senior debut for Costa Rica on March 22, 2019 in a friendly against Guatemala, coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute for Waylon Francis.[25]

Personal life

Lassiter is the son of former United States international footballer Roy Lassiter. While Roy was playing professionally in Costa Rica, he met and married a local woman named Wendy.[26][27][28] On September 27, 1994, Ariel was born in Turrialba, Costa Rica while Roy was playing for A.D. Carmelita.[7][29] When Ariel was 3, the Lassiter family moved to the United States after Roy signed with the Tampa Bay Mutiny of Major League Soccer.[28] The Lassiters continued to move around the U.S. due to Roy's career before settling down in Texas and then moving to Temecula, California when Ariel was 13.[26][30]

Career statistics

Club
As of December 1, 2020[31][32][33]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
GAIS 2014 Superettan 12100——121
LA Galaxy II 2015 USL 21111134—2516
2016 169—10—179
2017 95———95
2018 125———125
Total 58301144006335
LA Galaxy 2015 MLS 1000000010
2016 3000000030
2017 14132——173
2018 7022——92
Total 251540000305
Alajuelense 2018–19 Liga FPD 163———163
2019–20 4821———4821
Total 64240000006424
Houston Dynamo (loan) 2020 MLS 16300——163
Houston Dynamo 2021 000000—00
Total 0000000000
Career total 1755965440018568
  1. Includes Svenska Cupen and US Open Cup
  2. Includes USL Playoffs and MLS Cup Playoffs

International
As of November 14, 2020[34]
National Team YearAppsGoals
Costa Rica 201950
202020
Total70

References
  1. "Ari Lassiter - 2013 - Men's Soccer". Cal Poly. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  2. "Ariel Lassiter is Albion Home Grown". SoccerToday. 2014-10-22. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  3. "Getting 2 Know Galaxy II: Forward Ariel Lassiter". LA Galaxy. April 17, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  4. "LA Galaxy II sign forward Ariel Lassiter". LA Galaxy. January 29, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  5. "Costa Rica - A. Lassiter - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  6. Bandong, Paul. "Former Wolfpack soccer phenom, Ariel Lassiter, signs with L.A. Galaxy". Valley News. Archived from the original on December 19, 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
  7. "Ariel Lassiter Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  8. "LA Galaxy II lose U.S. Open Cup match to Ventura County Fusion in Stoppage Time". LA Galaxy. May 20, 2015. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  9. Alicia Rodriguez (5 March 2016). "LA Galaxy sign forward Ariel Lassiter to first-team contract". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  10. "L.A. Galaxy in a holding pattern on final day". Daily News. 2016-10-23. Retrieved 2020-08-31.
  11. "LA Galaxy exercise 2019 contract options on four players". LAGalaxy.com. November 26, 2018.
  12. Alpízar, Verónica. "ARIEL LASSITER: "VOY A MORIR POR ESTOS COLORES"". lda.cr. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  13. "LDA - José Luis Cordero jugará a préstamo con la Asociación Deportiva San Carlos". lda.cr. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  14. "Summary - Primera División - Costa Rica - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  15. "LDA - Con doblete de Ariel Lassiter, La Liga se consolidó en la cima para el cierre de la primera vuelta". lda.cr. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  16. "LDA - Clasificamos: Aumentamos la ventaja en el liderato con contundente triunfo en el Clásico Nacional". lda.cr. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  17. "Summary - Primera División - Costa Rica - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  18. "LDA - Ariel Lassiter seguirá vistiendo la rojinegra hasta junio del 2023". lda.cr. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  19. "Houston Dynamo acquire Costa Rican forward Ariel Lassiter on loan". Houston Dynamo. August 17, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  20. "Houston Dynamo vs. Minnesota United FC - Football Match Report - September 2, 2020 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  21. "Ariel Lassiter". Major League Soccer. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  22. "Houston Dynamo FC exercise 2021 contract options on 10 players". Houston Dynamo FC. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  23. "La Liga vende a Ariel Lassiter al Houston Dynamo | Crhoy.com". CRHoy.com | Periodico Digital | Costa Rica Noticias 24/7 (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  24. "Costa Rica". toulontournament.com. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  25. "Guatemala v Costa Rica game report". ESPN. 22 March 2019.
  26. French, Scott (June 20, 2014). "LA Galaxy prospect Ariel Lassiter hopes "like father, like son" applies in light of high bar set by father Roy". Major League Soccer. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  27. Teja, Sergio Alvarado Periodista de La; Américas, especializado en deportes Graduado de la Universidad Internacional de las. "En Seattle hay un manudo que sigue muy de cerca los pasos de Ariel Lassiter". La Teja, Grupo Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  28. Nolan, Jefferson (October 16, 2013). "International affair: Lassiter has pro aspirations". Mustang News. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  29. Richardson, Dustyn (2020-08-17). "Dynamo sign Costa Rican striker Ariel Lassiter". Dynamo Theory. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  30. "Roy Lassiter – NC Soccer Hall of Fame". Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  31. "Costa Rica - A. Lassiter - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
  32. "Ariel Lassiter". Major League Soccer. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  33. "Ariel Lassiter Stats". FBref.com. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
  34. "Ariel Lassiter". National Football Teams. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
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