What does it mean to be a member of the first roster in Chattanooga Red Wolves SC’s history?
I’m grateful to be given an opportunity to represent this club in its first year and stoked to see what that soccer community in Chattanooga is all about. I have been part of an expansion team before, and there is something that comes from the buzz around a new club that makes the whole experience even more exciting.
Why Chattanooga? What made this move the right one for you at this point in your career?
What struck me about this club was the ambition of everyone I spoke with during the process. From the coaching staff to the front office, there is a collective mentality that the club has high standards from the very start. Also, while this will be my first time there, I think the city of Chattanooga and the surrounding area will suit my lifestyle outside of soccer.
When did you know soccer was what you wanted to pursue? Did you always want to be a professional player?
Soccer wasn’t the first sport that I loved; when I was young I played baseball and wanted to be in the MLB. It wasn’t until the beginning of high school that I really started getting serious about soccer, and it became my dream to play soccer for a living. While I still love baseball, specifically the San Francisco Giants, I can safely say that I made the right decision.
Is there an iconic player that you’ve looked up to throughout your career?
I’ve always admired Gigi Buffon. He’s without a doubt one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time and still playing at the highest level into his 40s. I appreciate his approach to the game and while he isn’t a flashy goalkeeper, he does the simple things to perfection.
With 2019 being USL League One’s debut season, what are you most excited about? What are your expectations for the 2019 season?
I think the biggest thing is that this is yet another sign of the growth of the professional game here in the States, creating more opportunities for players to develop. I think that the League One teams can be just as competitive as teams in Championship. Coming into the new season I’m ready to take my game to a new level, and I expect to win the league—and the roster we are building has the pedigree to back that up.
How are you prepping for your time here?
My offseason has been a good mix of relaxation and preparation. I took a few weeks in the beginning to let my body and mind take a break from soccer, which I think was a great reset for me. Since then I’ve been training nearly every day, whether it is on the field or in the gym—or both. I feel like I’ve prepared myself well to come into preseason sharp and strong.
You spent last season with USL Championship’s Portland Timbers 2—describe that experience. What did you enjoy most?
My biggest takeaway was the professionalism of the club, from the first team all the way to the academy. Being able to train and interact with the guys on the first team was incredibly valuable, and it gave me a glimpse of what it takes to play at that level. It’s something that I can bring with me into this year and add my past experience to this new group of players.
Are you excited to be staying in the USL?
Yes, I am excited to be staying in the USL and that I’m getting a chance to be a part of a new club and league. The USL has proven to be a competitive league, and that competition drives me. I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to be playing at the Championship level, but this club has put together a Championship caliber roster that can compete with those teams, and more importantly be successful in League One.
Aside from rostering with Portland Timbers 2, you also spent a season with Tulsa Roughnecks—in your opinion, what makes USL competition different?
I think the USL stands out because the competition is so close. You have clubs with big and small budgets that all find a way to win, no matter who they play. That, and the fact that there are over 30 teams in the league makes it a tough league to play in. The travel can be rough which also levels the playing field to a certain extent.
In 2016, you led the league in save percentage (.782)—how did you manage that?
Hmm, that’s an interesting one. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, we were the worst team in the league that year, and I faced a lot of shots, and quite a few got in. Looking back, it was a great learning experience for me, and I got thrown into the fire during my first season as a pro. My mentality had to be to keep working and trying to get better, no matter how rough of a year we were having. I was able to take a number of positives from the year.
What’s your favorite thing about your native California?
I love the diversity of California, not just in the people but also in the terrain. We have miles of beaches, beautiful rivers and forests. My favorite place to be is up in the mountains at Lake Tahoe—that’s my happy place. But I could do without the ridiculous traffic that we have on the roads these days.
What are you most looking forward to about living in Chattanooga?
I’m really looking forward to getting to know the city, as I’ve heard that it has a lot of character. I spend a lot of time outside hiking and fishing, so I am keen to check out the outdoor scene in the area, especially up in the mountains.
If you could play any position on the field, aside from goalkeeper, where would you play? Why?
I think it’s every goalkeepers fantasy to score goals if we’re not keeping them out. I’m not much different and would like to play up top, especially since I spend enough time shooting on the other goalkeepers during training!
Favorite pregame song/ritual?
I don’t really listen to music before games—I let the other guys in the locker room handle the speakers. But I am fairly particular about how I put on my kit and the rest of my gear…but I can’t share my secrets.
Favorite historic soccer moment?
For me, it is probably the 2005 Champions League Final between Liverpool and AC Milan. I don’t support either team, but that was one of the most incredible comebacks in history, and it was also one of the first games that I can remember being absolutely glued to the TV to watch. I still go back and watch the highlights from time to time.
Alex is joining Chattanooga Red Wolves SC for the club’s 2019 Inaugural Season. Keep up with Alex on Instagram and Twitter.
