While the Indian Super League hasn’t been going on for too long, some players have managed to make an impact in a short space of time itself. Many of them have done that and have made a special place in the hearts of the fans. One of them is Stiven Mendoza, who was in the ISL for not too long but has left his spot behind in the sands of time.
Currently at French club Amiens, Mendoza had been at ISL side Chennayin FC for a total of two seasons. In what has been a rather journeyman like-career for the Colombian, he has been through a fair share of twists and turns in his career. Chennaiyin was part of that constant chop and change, but the impact he made is something that the club’s fans will still remember fondly.
His first move to the South Indian club came when his contract at Deportivo Cali ran out in the summer of 2014. When he was without a club, Chennaiyin came calling signed the left-winger on a free transfer. Very few knew what the club was getting out of Mendoza, as he had proved to be an inconsistent quantity back in Colombia. There was uncertainty about what value Mendoza will bring to the table, but he made many people eat their words.
And his first season at the new club was a fruitful one. In nine games, Mendoza contributed to a total of six goals for Chennaiyin. Four of them were goals and two were assists. His most spectacular performance came in a 5-1 win over Mumbai City FC. In a dominating display, Mendoza scored two and assisted once, a game that leading online casino americasino.org called ‘Mendoza’s best yet’.
As crucial as he could have been to potentially help Chennai win the title, a thigh injury kept him out for the play-offs, leading to Kerala Blasters knocking Chennai out. Despite the impressive performances, Chennaiyin couldn’t keep Mendoza till the next season. Brazilian giants Corinthians signed him on a four-year deal, a move reported in thespin.uk as ‘surprising’.
After a fruitful one-year spell in Brazil, Mendoza did help Corinthians win the national title in 2014. But in the second season, he was loaned back to Chennai for the 2014 ISL season. Like he was in the previous stint, Mendoza was meant to be a crucial player.
In what was a season to remember, Mendoza scored 11 goals in 13 regular season games and also grabbed two assists. These contributions were immense in taking Chennai to the play-offs, where Mendoza was sparkling even more. In the first-leg of the semi-final against ATK, Mendoza scored once and assisted once in a 3-0 rout. In the final against FC Goa, Mendoza racked up a crucial goal to help Chennai win the title.
This put some global spotlight on Mendoza, as he then left for New York City FC on loan from Corinthians. The fact that he’s now at Amiens shows where he’s come because of that brilliant spell at Chennai. And the fans certainly do remember that swashbuckling season very well. There is every chance they remember it for many years in the future.
