Interview by Mike Woitalla
Executive
Editor
Soccer
America
Reprinted with
Permission
Sonny Guadarrama is a 20-year-old
midfielder who was born and raised in Texas and played at Campbell
University in 2005 before turning pro with Santos Laguna of the
Mexican First Division. He has dual U.S./Mexican citizenship and
shortly after signing with Santos was called up by Mexico's U-20
national team, which is preparing for the Under-20 World Cup in
Canada this summer.
SOCCER AMERICA: You've been
playing with Mexico's U-20 national team but are still eligible to
play for the USA. What's your current
situation?
SONNY GUADARRAMA: I've
been called into a couple of camps with Mexico's U-20s and will be
going on a trip with them to Argentina. I hope to be in the running
for a spot at the U-20 World Cup [July 1-22], and if not, for the
Pan American Games in Brazil [July 13-29]. It looks like they might
make two teams - one for the U-20 World Cup and one for the Pan
American Games.
SA: You've been to camps with
U.S. youth national teams. What's your status with the U.S.
national team program?
SG: Right now I have had
no contact with the U.S. national team, and this late in the
running I'm not expecting a call from them. Ultimately, my goal is
to make it to the World Cup, and it's great to have two chances
with two different countries, so I will take advantage of it. But
right now, it looks like I'm having better chances with
Mexico.
SA: You made your Mexican First
Division debut with Santos last November, and are now seeing time
with their Primera A (second tier) team. How are things
going?
SG: It's a tough
situation, because with one game left in the season, other teams'
results will determine whether Santos stays in the First Division.
At the start of this season [Clausura '07], I was with the first
division team every game [seeing action in three games]. Then they
moved me to the Primera A team, which I didn't mind because it
helped me get into shape and get my rhythm back.
SA: How different is the Mexican
second division, the Primera A, from the first
division?
SG: The Primera A play
is more fast-paced and there's a lot more fouling. There's less
pressure because there are fewer people in the stands. In the top
division, it's a lot more about positioning on the field and being
in the right spot. It's a slower pace, but in the final third, when
you have the ball, it speeds up. And you're on national television
and usually the stadiums are filled to capacity. Right now, I'm
looking forward to next season with Santos. After being here a year
I've gotten used to the way things work and am getting confident in
my play.
SA: What's it been like adjusting
to life as a professional soccer player?
SG: Growing up as a kid,
all I ever dreamed about was playing pro soccer and thinking how
easy my life would be playing soccer for a living. But it is a lot
different from youth and college soccer. It has become a job, and
all that matters is winning, to please the owners, coaches and
fans. I enjoy it very much, but it does wear you out at
times.
SA: Your brother Willy, with whom
also played with at Campbell University, is now with the Kansas
City Wizards while you're in Mexico. Do you imagine that your
experience in Mexico is much different than being in
MLS?
SG: I think MLS is very
different from the Mexican league, but I think I could manage to
adapt to both leagues, so I wouldn't mind playing in either league.
Hopefully, one day I can play again with my brother, whether it be
in MLS or in Mexico.
