USL PRO Feature
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
As things go, it’s pretty good to be Rodrigo Lopez.
The first signing in the history of the Sacramento Republic FC, Lopez is looking to make a fresh start in Northern California. Reunited with his former coach Preki, whom he spent time with at Chivas USA, the 2014 season is filled with anticipation - and optimism - for the expansion USL PRO franchise.
“I’m privileged and honored to be the first player ever for the franchise,” Lopez said recently. “I want to stay here for as long as I can and make a name for not just myself, but more importantly for the team. I’m here to win, I’m not here to achieve stuff on my own; obviously the team is more important to me and I’m happy to be here. Honestly, with the way things are going here, and the way people are doing things around here in the front office, it makes things so much easier and so pleasurable to be here.”
On the face of it, 2013 was an excellent year for Lopez. Playing for the LA Blues, the standout midfielder finished second in USL PRO with 11 assists, added a pair of goals, and helped the side reach the postseason.
While Lopez was starring for the Blues on the field, however, he was going through what he described as a ‘hard year emotionally’ after complications arose before and after the birth of his son, Roman.
“A couple of months before his birth, they ran an exam on him, and he had what is called an aortic stenosis,” Lopez explained. “His main valve was a little thick, and it wasn’t opening, so when he was pumping blood out of his heart, it wouldn’t open up the whole way. It was causing his heart to work a little harder.
“A couple of days after his birth, he had a surgery, he had a procedure done to him where they stuck a balloon up his leg, into his heart, and they pumped the valve up a little to try and expand it, and he came out well from the procedure. Now they have to monitor him, and see how well he’s coming along; we don’t know if he’s going to need another surgery, but he looks fine now, and he seems like a normal baby, so I thank God he’s okay for now.”
For Lopez, the days were long as he went from training, or games, and then immediately back to the hospital to be with his family and newborn son. Roman spent nearly 10 days in the ICU as he went through the procedure and monitoring, and the experienced served to push Lopez harder when he got on the field.
“It was so tough, man. I went through hell for a couple of weeks,” Lopez said. “Those 10 days to me were draining. … It was so tough for me, but to be honest my son was my motivation and what pushed me to work a little harder. It was demanding physically and emotionally, but I got through it because of him. If he could go through something that difficult, why couldn’t I put in a little extra to do well and get through those 10 days?”
Lopez has now brought his work ethic and ability to the Republic, where he is enjoying being back on the field for preseason. The club received good news last week with the unanimous vote by the Cal Expo Board of Directors to allow the facility to become the club’s home, and now the team is putting in the work to ensure it will be competitive from the opening game of the season.
“If you don’t enjoy being on a soccer field, whether it’s running, whether it’s playing, or doing whatever it is with your team, I don’t feel you belong anywhere around this profession,” Lopez said. “Obviously the running has to be done, and it’s good for you in the long run, so I’m enjoying every single part of it; meeting new coaches, meeting new players, the front office, who are doing a phenomenal job and making sure we’re taken care of.”
Lopez is also enjoying being part of a side led by Preki again. The former U.S. international and 2007 MLS Coach of the Year is back on the sidelines for the first time since his spell with Toronto FC in 2010, and Lopez sees a more mature coach leading the way toward the club’s opening game.
“I think he’s a great coach and a great fit for this club,” Lopez said. “We’re starting off really well in preseason; we’re working really hard. He obviously knows the game of soccer; he’s played at a very high level, so he knows what he’s doing. He’s putting in a very good group of guys - some good young guys mixed in with some experience - and everyone’s working hard, no-one’s going their own way, we’re all going in one direction, and that’s the key to be successful here.”
After all he went through last year, Lopez is ready to turn the page and help write a successful first chapter in the Republic’s history.
“It’s awesome man,” he said. “It’s a new beginning; it feels like a breath of fresh air. … Everyone here knows what Sacramento is all about. The fans are so excited for the season, and it’s not just the fans, you go into the offices and everyone’s got a smile on their face.
“A lot of people are going to have their eyes on us, and that’s OK, because I think we’re ready as a whole team to be successful. We have the players and the coaching staff to strive for big things, and I’m thinking championship. I don’t want to sound too cocky, but that’s what you work for since day one in preseason, to try and build a team to win a championship.”