Alfredo Pacheco — Salvadoran international footballer

Overview of Alfredo Pacheco (1982–2015), a Salvadoran left back who became his country's most-capped player, his club career, a lifetime ban for match-fixing, and his death in 2015.

Overview

Alfredo Alberto Pacheco (1 December 1982 – 27 December 2015) was a Salvadoran professional footballer best known for his role as a left back for both club and country. He emerged from Santa Ana, El Salvador, and rose to become one of the most prominent players of his generation in Salvadoran football. During his international career he earned 86 appearances for El Salvador, which was widely reported as a national record.

Club career and playing style

Pacheco spent much of his club career with C.D. FAS, one of the leading teams in El Salvador, and had a spell outside the country with the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer. He combined defensive duties with a propensity to join attacks down the left flank, offering crosses and support in transition. For details on his club stints see club profile and career summaries at statistical sources.

International role and records

As a regular starter for the national team, Pacheco captained El Salvador on multiple occasions and became a fixture in CONCACAF qualifying and regional competitions. His accumulation of 86 international caps was notable in Salvadoran football and is frequently cited in retrospectives of the national side; contemporary reports and records are available at archival sources.

Controversy: match-fixing case and ban

In 2013 Pacheco was implicated in a match-fixing investigation involving several players from the national team. National and international football authorities took action that resulted in a lifetime ban from professional play. The case drew wide attention across the region and marked a dramatic turning point in his career; coverage and institutional statements can be found via official reports.

Death and legacy

Pacheco was shot and killed in Santa Ana on 27 December 2015 at the age of 33. His death elicited strong reactions in El Salvador and among former teammates and fans. He was married and a father of five children and had spent time living in the United States during his life. For news accounts and follow-up reporting see news summaries. His legacy is complex: remembered for his contributions on the pitch, his record number of appearances, and the controversy that ended his playing days.

Position: Left back / full back
Notable clubs: C.D. FAS, New York Red Bulls
International caps: 86 (widely reported)
Key events: Lifetime ban for match-fixing (2013); murdered in 2015