Toni Dovale registered four goals and four assists for Sporting KC in 2014. (Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports)

Toni Dovale, a former member of Sporting Kansas City, has embraced an important role in the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pharmacist in his native Spain.

The 29-year-old Dovale had been playing in Thailand last winter but was visiting his family in Spain when the pandemic took hold. Dovale, who had completed his university studies in pharmacy four years ago, decided to swap the soccer kit for a pharmacist’s white coat.

Travel restrictions have prevented Dovale from venturing back to Thailand from Spain, so over the last several weeks, Dovale has served at his family’s pharmacy in Coruna as a front-line worker in the struggle against the novel coronavirus, making the most of an opportunity to help combat the public health crisis.

Dovale recorded four goals and four assists in 25 competitive appearances for Sporting Kansas City during a season-long spell in 2014. His 12-year professional career has included stints with Spanish clubs Celta Vigo, Lugo, Leganes and Rayo Vallecano as well as Indian side Bengaluru and Thai outfit Navy FC.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.