How I fell in love with soccer: From Colima to the Banc

Growing up in Colima, Mexico as a young boy in the '90s, I started playing soccer in school, at the park, and sometimes on the street. It was my introduction to a sport that I now can't seem to live without. Those were the days when a set of trees could serve as goalposts and when going over the sidewalk was out of bounds. For the majority of my family, Sundays were for church, but for me, Sundays were for racing home after mass to turn on the television and watch Club Deportivo Guadalajara (also known as Chivas), my team, play at noon. When I was six years old, Guadalajara was crowned league champion and my fandom for a team that I inherited from my father would only get bigger as the years went by.

When we moved to Los Angeles, I struggled to find the same passion for soccer that I shared with my friends back in Mexico. In an effort to fit in and make new friends, I was forced to shift my preferences to American sports like football, baseball, and basketball. It wasn't the same.

After a short hiatus from the sport, I joined local recreational soccer leagues early in my teen years and regained my temporarily lost love for the game. I made friends through joining the high school varsity soccer team, some of which I have the privilege of calling my best friends (Milton, Jose, and Eric.) I remember the days of skipping class in the middle of the day to watch Champions League soccer, the nights after soccer practice when we would play FIFA on the PS3, or the early Premier League mornings of watching a young Cristiano Ronaldo dominate for Manchester United. All for this obsessive love for the game.

Rewinding a few years back, Ronaldinho's magic at FC Barcelona converted me into a Blaugrana for life, not knowing that the greatest team and player of all time, in my opinion, was about to be unveiled at Camp Nou. 

It was, of course, the Pep Guardiola era at Barca, when for the first in my life, I started to enjoy the analytical side of the game, learning tactics and formations, but also realizing how fortunate I was to live in a time that included the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Lionel Messi in their prime and on the same team. It was art in soccer form and it was a privilege to witness the tiki-taka football in the comfort of my living room. 

My appreciation for the game grew, and with that my knowledge expanded and I felt more equipped with the tools to understand certain aspects of the game, but my passion was still intact. 

After suffering eliminations in the Round of 16 in every World Cup that I can remember watching, the Mexican National Team gave me hopes that the 2014 World Cup would be different. It was the first time I was watching the tournament as an adult, thinking to myself that the education I had picked up over the years of watching international soccer would change the experience. 

But the heartbreak continued.

The Netherlands defeated Mexico 2-1 in the Round of 16 with a questionable penalty kick call, after an Arjen Robben dive inside the box in stoppage time, that would inspire the "no era penal" ("it wasn't a penalty") phrase to be adopted by El Tri fans. It was the first time I cried after defeat in any game I had ever watched, as there is just something different about seeing your country lose, especially when they were so close to winning. Up to this day, it's the most pain I've felt after a soccer match, but better days were ahead. That's the beauty of the sport. There are good times and bad, but in the end, it's a cycle with highs and lows that make it all worth it.

After graduating college from Cal State LA, I wanted to travel and visit some of the most historic stadiums in the world, so I got on a plane and chose Europe as my first destination. Do you remember the match where Barcelona overcame a four-goal deficit against Paris Saint-Germain to win in the largest comeback in Champions League history? 

To be in the stands of the majestic Camp Nou was a victory in itself, but to top it off with the loudest atmosphere I have ever been a part of in a historic victory for one of my favorite clubs was a dream come true.

Speaking of dreams, I had the chance to visit Manchester United's Old Trafford, the "Theatre of Dreams," in a derby between the Red Devils and rivals Liverpool FC. Marcus Rashford scored a first-half brace and sent me off with a smile on my face. It was another stadium off my bucket list.

The final stop was a venue that played host to two World Cup finals: Estadio Azteca. As soon as I stepped inside, all I could think of was Diego Maradona's goal in the 1986 World Cup and how it happened on the field before me. I came to watch a World Cup qualifier between Mexico and USA, which ended in a 1-1 draw with goals from Michael Bradley (a half-field chip), and Carlos Vela. I still can't get over how much history that stadium holds and can't wait to visit again in the 2026 World Cup when Canada, the USA, and Mexico share hosting duties.

When LAFC joined Major League Soccer in 2018, I was genuinely intrigued by the club's fanbase, the roster build, the coach, the stadium, and most importantly, the product on the field. The announcement of Mexican star Carlos Vela as the club's first DP and legendary American coach Bob Bradley as the club's first-ever manager was a great starting point.

The first LAFC match I ever attended was the first El Trafico, played at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, home of the LA Galaxy. I had attended a handful of MLS games in the past, but this one felt different. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a brace coming on as a substitute to help the Galaxy defeat LAFC by a 4-3 scoreline. I was hooked. The atmosphere that day was something I had never experienced before in an MLS match.

There have been quite a few memorable games at Banc of California Stadium that I have gotten to witness, including the Laurent Ciman game-winning free kick in stoppage time to give LAFC the win in its first-ever home game. Also, I remember the El Trafico in the 2019 Western Conference semifinals that ended in a wild 5-3 scoreline. But for me, the one I remember the most was when Vela broke the single-season scoring record with a hat trick against the Colorado Rapids. We had witnessed the best-ever individual season in the history of MLS, a feat that may never be repeated again. It was extraordinary to be a part of that and be able to see history happen before my eyes.

As I read every single takeaway from LAFC writer Vince La Rosa following matches, I reached out to him to express my admiration of his work and inquired about getting some advice on how I can get involved in writing about the game, specifically involving LAFC.

Vince suggested I reach out to small media outlets, which got me credentialed for matches. I began to network with sites, and Jerry Jimenez and Josef Zacher from the Heart of LAFC podcast took a chance on me and allowed me to get my articles online for exposure. I stayed consistent and kept writing, and I also featured on the podcast on occasions to discuss game previews, recaps, and team updates. 

Being around the game and covering a team like LAFC is something I cherish and value deeply. When I met my wife Fatima in 2019, she had no idea who LAFC was. Now that we are married, we exchange thoughts about players and the team all the time, and we try to watch as many games as possible together. She reads all my articles and supports me 100% with my passion for soccer. 

After four years with Heart of LAFC, I began a new chapter in my career with The Striker, thanks to a recommendation from Vince to the managing editor Phil West. Covering LAFC as a beat writer, I hope that this is just the first of many years with this great group of soccer writers that I feel blessed to have joined. As you can see, my constant desire to be involved in the sport in some way has gotten me to this point through hard work and dedication. Also, of course, I've also had fun along the way and enjoyed the journey, which is very important.

If you love soccer, raise your hand. Both of mine are up in the air.