David Ochoa opens up on choosing El Tri over USMNT
David Ochoa is all-in on Mexico, the Real Salt Lake goalkeeper committing to El Tri for his international future.
Ochoa made the decision known this week in a thoughtful article in the Players’ Tribune. In it, Ochoa detailed how as the son of immigrants from Mexico, he felt the tug between two nations before making his ultimate decision.
On Thursday, Ochoa, one of the best young goalkeepers in MLS (if not the best), joined ‘Counter Attack’ on Sirius XM. Co-hosts Brian Dunseth and Charlie Davies respectfully dove into Ochoa’s decision.
“I knew of all the other players just like me, you know, who are for born in the US but our parents were born in Mexico so I knew I wanted my story to be heard and, and hopefully motivate other kids like me,” Ochoa said on Sirius XM.
“So that’s why I let me agent know and he got in contact with the Player Tribune , and it took a while, I think, maybe a week and a half to get the story done, because it was so much that they did such a such an amazing job… So honestly, I’m really happy with what they put together. And hopefully it touched a lot of kids. A lot of kids like me.”
Ochoa featured prominently in the United States U23 national team’s failed attempt to qualify for this summer’s Olympics. He also has had a very solid start to the season for Real Salt Lake, making him an in-demand quantity for Mexico and the United States.
In terms of pecking order and competition as well as the pathway to playing time, Ochoa said that Mexico’s older goalkeeper pool didn’t factor into his decision to choose El Tri. Instead, he said the decision came from his heart.
His piece at the Players’ Tribune was entitled ‘My Path to Mexico’ and is available in English as well as Spanish.
‘Counter Attack’ is a daily show on Sirius XM that handles American soccer topics as well as the international game. The show is produced by Andrew Williams (not the former Jamaican international).
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex’ on Twitter @KristianRDyer