David Estrada Is Drafted Into the MLS

By Efraín Cruz, Latin Media Gurus Contributor

Hello fellow LMG followers, I had the great opportunity of speaking with four-year UCLA soccer player David Estrada who was just drafted in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft with the 11^th pick overall to the Seattle Sounders FC.

David was born in Morelia, Michoacán and raised in the agricultural community of Salinas, California. Having walked on to UCLA his freshman year, he surprised everyone becoming Soccer America’s freshman of the year.

Now four years later he has the opportunity to fulfill his dream of playing professionally. I caught up with David during this very special moment for him and his family.

Interview with David Estrada

Latin Media Gurus Exclusive

E: First of all congratulation on being selected in the MLS draft! What was your initial reaction upon you hearing your name?

D: Thank you. It was a huge surprise and did not expect it at all. When I heard my name announced I honestly lost my mind and ran out of my house and screamed my lungs out, then called my cousin Jazz who lives in L.A. to share the moment.

E: What were your expectations going into this draft? Was entering the MLS Draft always your plan?

D: I expected to go early 3th or 4th and it never really crossed my mind that I would be chosen in the first. I decided I would give it my all when I heard I was going to be invited to a couple of combines and especially the MLS combine.

E: Tell me about your family, they must have been really excited! What does this mean for your family?

D: I have an amazing family that has always been supportive of what I’ve done in soccer from high school to UCLA and now this new chapter in my soccer career. They were all really proud of me and it’s because of their support that I believe I have come this far. Jazz Rodriguez is a cousin from LA who had never stop believing in me and he is a big reason of why I have come this far.

E: Growing up in Salinas, CA was playing futbol professionally always your goal?

D: Since very young soccer was something I wanted to continue doing as long as I could. I never thought I would have played at UCLA until my sophomore year (in high school) when my cousin told me he believed I had what it took to play in Division 1. During my college years he always pushed me and said I could make it. This kind of support and the hard worked paid off and I am glad I can continue playing soccer at a professional level; the money is the last of my concerns. I come from Salinas, CA an Agricultural area and I am proud of where I come from. It’s not the safest and especially the section where I am from, East Salinas, but I love it the same.

E: You’ve already faced a few obstacles, basically walking on to UCLA to being named Soccer America Freshman of the Year and then injuring your foot the next year, what have these challenges taught you as you go into the next level?

D: These have been obstacles that have made me become mature. My mental toughness is another thing that has changed and showed this past year. All these challenges where tough to overcome these past four years and I consider them beneficial to my development as a soccer player and person. I know how hard I must work and I will continue to do the same in this new chapter of my life.

E: You’re going to the Seattle Sounders who have Freddie Ljungberg, former Arsenal player and Swedish international, how does it feel to have the opportunity to train with a player of such a background?

D: I am just excited of the opportunity to play next to players like him, who have played at the highest level and hopefully can feed of his game.

E: Obviously there is a long road ahead, but what is your ultimate dream playing soccer?

D: My ultimate dream is to say I played professionally. It does not matter where but I would like to play for as long as I can. This is a great opportunity, but like you said I still have a long road ahead of me.

E: Any message for the young kids, particularly the young Latino kids out there who dream of achieving such a goal?

D: I would say to have fun and if they’re serious about pursuing something in soccer to always work hard and never let anyone tell them that they can’t do something. Always be humble.

E: That’s a great message David and just one last question out of curiosity, what was the team you rooted for growing up?

D: Cruz Azul, my man.

E: No más tienen que dejar de ser los subcampeones de México, hopefully they win the title soon.

D: Yeah man, this year for sure (laughs).

E: Thanks a lot for your time, I appreciate it a lot and the best of luck in Seattle y échale ganas!

D: Alright man, no problem. Thank you and hope all is well in LA.

David Estrada Flashes His Futból Skills

The footballing gods decided the fate of the 32 nations on friday.

With 187 days left until the world cup, the stage is set, the tables are filled and the discussions can begin.

If you missed it, here is the draw:

• Group A: South Africa, Mexico, France and Uruguay
• Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea and Greece
• Group C: England, USA, Algeria and Slovenia
• Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia and Ghana
• Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
• Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
• Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast and Portugal
• Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras and Chile.

First thing: Charlize Theron is the worst host for any ceremony I have ever seen. She was awkward, out of place, mis-informed and annoying. “Haha, Am I the only one who’s nervous???” to silent crowd.

On to the football:

My initial reaction was a sigh of relief to see a favorable draw for the Yanks. I EXPECT and HAVE NO DOUBT that the USA will advance into the round of 16. This is the easiest draw we’ve ever had in the modern age and I expect them to do very well. A rematch of 2002′s quarterfinal against the Germans may be in our horizon.

For the most part, I think the draw was fairly evenly distributed between all the groups. Just looking at the table, there are many match-ups that have the footballing world’s attention. Here is my selection for the top 10 must see games of the first round, in order of date:

1. Friday June 11, 7:00am PT – South Africa vs. Mexico

The Bafana Bafana will be opening the world cup against my beloved El Tri. This match will be tough for the mexicans, as they will face an overwhelming South African crowd. Its a match up putting the “plastic trumpets” of the south africans against the “si se puede” chants of the mexicans. Which is more annoying? We’ll see June 11.

2. Saturday June 12, 4:30am PT – Argentina vs. Nigeria

Will Diego Maradona be on the sidelines coaching the argentines? Will Messi finally play a good game with his national team? Can Argentina put behind them their troubled path to the finals and start playing the beautiful passing football that was part of Pekerman’s 2002 team? Many questions are going to be asked of this argentine side. My bet is Maradona will be a huge distraction to the team with the media.

3. Saturday June 12, 11:30am PT – England vs. United States

My hunch is that this game will be physical and we may see one or two red cards. Low Scoring, something like 1-0, 1-1. The USA could be without Oguchi Onyewu and/or Charlie Davies. England had a fairly easy route to the finals, and did not impress against the Brazilians in the November friendly match. I don’t buy into that whole “British World Cup Champs” talk with their manager Fabio Capello. With Ferdinand and Terry playing subpar for their clubs, it can be a perfect setting for a second “Miracle on Grass” (look up 1950 World Cup) with Jozy Altodore, Landon Donovan and *fingers crossed* Charlie Davies setting the pace that will cause the british defense to make mistakes.

4. Monday June 14, 11:30am PT – Italy vs. Paraguay

Both of these teams play defensive. One team has to, in theory, attack. Will Italy start off characteristically slow, giving the paraguayans a valuable opportunity to get a head start on the slovakians, who will more than likely win New Zealand to open the campaign.

5. Tuesday June 15, 7:00am PT – Ivory Coast vs. Portugal

An absolutely titanic match between these two nations, who in *my opinion* is the group a death. It is crucial for these teams to get a result in this match, especially Ivory Coast who will have to play Brazil in their second match day. Ivory Coast is the strongest african team and Cristiano Ronaldo and his selecao will be up for the challenge.

6. Thursday June 17, 4:30am PT – France vs. Mexico

This match could see both sides looking for their first points, as this evenly matched group will probably be going without a clear victor into the 3rd match day. I expect the mexicans to flourish under the underdog role, but will the star power of the french side prove to be fatal for El Tri? All you need is one touch from Benzema, Ribery, Gourcuff or a hand ball from Henry to get ahead in a match. Should have been the Irish.

7. Sunday June 20, 11:30am PT – Brazil vs. Ivory Coast

It is almost certain that the brazilians will have 3 points from their first match against the north koreans, and Ivory Coast will have to win IF they did not gain any points from their first match against the portuguese. Ivory Coast will have the luxury of knowing they have the north koreans last, but the brazilians do not want to be looking for points in the final match day against the portuguese where anything could happen.

8. Monday June 21, 7:00am PT – Chile vs. Switzerland

This could be the match that decides which of these two countries will join the spanish in the 2nd round. The chileans will be opening against a tough honduran side who could steal some points from a side or two in this group. Switzerland will be looking for points against Chile because more than likely will lose to the Furia Roja in the first match.

9. Tuesday, June 22, 7:00am PT – Mexico vs. Uruguay

All 3 of mexico’s matches make my “must see list”, because they’re all interesting for the neutral (ahem cough cough cough) spectator. A concacaf vs. conmebol match up, these two sides will more than likely need this result to pass the first round. This, and the Chile vs. Honduras match is a perfect game to end the discussion raised by my Conmebol vs. Concacaf debate.

10. Friday June 25, 7:00am PT – Brazil vs. Portugal

An absolute gigantic match up between european power versus former colony turned super champ, this may be a classic match up for the history books, given that both teams still have something to play for on the final match day. Zidane proved in 1998 and 2006 that one superman can defeat the five time champions. Cristiano Ronaldo would benefit from watching the tapes.

Thats the initial thoughts, given that there is still seven months until the finals. Much could change. The debate of the “Group Of Death” is between, group G with the 3 super nations and the unlucky communists or the evenly matched groups A, B and E.

Dios santo, que viva el futbol.