Q&A: Gael Rocha, UNITED 956 MIDFIELDER
By RAUL GARCIA JR | Edinburg Daily Review
EDINBURG — We had caught up with Gael Rocha who recently helped area soccer team United 956 to the US Soccer Club’s 2024 National Championship. Here is what he had to say about his recent success on the field.
Q: Jersey Number
A: 14
Q: Position
A: Attacking midfielder
Q: When did you know you wanted to play soccer, and how hard did work you to get to the level you are at now?
A: Well my dad had put me in when I was 5 since he’s basically played all his life. I never really liked it I just knew I wanted to make my dad happy. It wasn’t until I grew older around 9 or 10 I started to develop a love for the beautiful game. The whole month preparing for the tournament was rough. There was times when I was tired and wanted to sleep in, but I knew I had to prepare for this tournament.
Q: What is your most memorable moment as a player this season?
A: Being able to score in the final to help my team secure that win, and also lifting the trophy after all our hard work.
Q: What was it like for you traveling the country and winning it all?
A: My team and I had recently had a big loss in the Dallas cup several months back so this kind of made up for it becoming national champs is definitely a top tier title.
Q: What was your biggest challenge on the way to the championship?
A: Definitely a pain in my knee I’ve been having the past 3 months and playing through it was rough, but I knew this was a national championship, and I don’t really get these opportunities so I had to make the best of it.
Q: Tell us what you were feeling and thinking about heading into the championship game?
A: I was pretty confident because I had recently had a really good performance in the semi- finals, and I knew if I played like that in the finals I would definitely be able to help win the finals.
Q: How much fun was it winning it all, and what is your best moment of the championship game?
A: It was a beautiful moment to hear that final whistle blow realizing we were national champions, and my best moment was scoring to help my team secure that victory and celebrate with them afterwards.
Q: What is your favorite part of being a member of the team?
A: Being able to depend on every player due to their experience.
Q: What set your team apart from all the other teams across the country you competed against?
A: I know we were the best team there without a doubt. What separated us between the other teams was our said experiences all of us have been playing since we were about six seven. Whenever a player reaches a certain point in there soccer career you can tell if someone is good by how they look or even move, because when your good or have been playing for a while you have this certain flow or jam, and most of the players we faced didn’t have that flow so we were definitely the best team there.
Q: Who is your favorite soccer player?
A: Lionel Messi
Q: Who is the greatest soccer player of all time?
A: Messi for sure I honestly think he shouldn’t even be in the debate between him and Ronaldo.
Q: Favorite Movie?
A: Planet of the apes movies.
Q: Favorite Restaurant?
A: Panda Express
Q: Who would play you in your Hollywood movie?
A: Me myself and I I’m one of one.
Q: What School do you attend
A: Nikki Rowe high school
Q: Grade
A: 11th
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