Exclusive: Rodrigues, from San Jose Earthquakes, Reveals His Goals in MLS
In an exclusive interview for MLS Multiplex, the talented Brazilian soccer player Rodrigues, currently playing as a defender for San Jose Earthquakes, shared his thoughts and visions about his Major League Soccer (MLS) career. His answers reveal a dedicated professional, committed to excellence, and eager to continue growing both individually and collectively.
When asked about his nomination for the MLS Defender of the Year award at the MLS Year-End Awards, Rodrigues expressed his gratitude and happiness for the honor. He attributed his nomination to the hard work, resilience, and consistency demonstrated throughout the season. Rodrigues is determined to maintain focus and continue pursuing collective goals while dreaming of individual recognition.
“It’s a very good feeling, I feel honored and happy with this nomination. It’s the result of a lot of work, resilience, and consistency. Since the beginning of the season, I’ve been giving my best, and being among the best is quite satisfying. Now, it’s about keeping focus, continuing to work, even more motivated, pursuing collective goals, and, God willing, being rewarded with individual recognition,” Rodrigues said in an exclusive interview with MLS Multiplex.
When analyzing his individual performance during the season, Rodrigues displayed a humble and ambitious attitude. He emphasized the constant quest for improvement and highlighted that his season has been very good with impressive statistics. His passion for the game is evident, as well as his commitment to serving his teammates well and honoring San Jose Earthquakes.
“You can always improve and do more, and that’s what I strive for every day. One of the things I carry with me is being better than yesterday and maintaining consistency in my work. Thanks to God, the results are coming, and this excellence is what I’ve always sought throughout my career. My numbers are great, so from an individual perspective, it’s been a very good season. And of course, with this performance, the collective also benefits, and my goal is to honor San Jose to the fullest and serve my teammates well.”
Discussing the current team scenario, Rodrigues agreed with the statements of his teammate Judson in a recent interview with MLS Multiplex, recognizing the importance of maintaining consistency to secure a spot in the playoffs. He also admitted that the team had some errors but expressed confidence in the team’s ability to evolve and compete for success.
“I agree, the team works hard, we had a consistent season, but we made some mistakes that could have put us in a better position. But we’re calm about it, working to improve and fighting for qualification. It’s all up to us, and we’re aware that we need to pay extra attention to some details if we want to qualify and compete for bigger things in the championship,” Rodrigues stated.
Comparing his performance in the current season to the previous one, Rodrigues emphasized his growth and development as a soccer player. He is satisfied with his progress but reiterated his determination to continue improving.
“Growth and evolution. I think those are the words. I arrived last season, managed to adapt over time, and this year, I’ve been able to consolidate my performance more and more. I think the balance is very positive, but as I mentioned earlier, there’s always room for improvement and doing more. I’m happy, but I’ll keep striving to evolve.”
When asked about his future, Rodrigues left the decision in the hands of his management team but emphasized his happiness and motivation to play for San Jose Earthquakes. He highlighted the benefits of playing in MLS, such as quality of life, culture, and a favorable environment for his family. Additionally, he pointed out the difference in pressure and expectations between soccer in the United States and in Brazil, emphasizing that the pressure is lower in MLS.
“My future, I leave it to my staff. What I can say is that I’m extremely happy and motivated at San Jose, experiencing a great moment, and with the desire to fulfill my contract.
Regarding the benefits, I think there are several when playing in MLS. Quality of life, culture, environment, safety, tranquility, and so on. It’s something that is good not only for me but also for my family. We’re adapted, we like the place where we’re living, so in that sense, it has been positive. Brazil is great too, for sure. But talking about soccer, the main difference is in how they perceive the sport here and in Brazil. In Brazil, the pressure is much greater, if you lose 3-4 games, it’s almost impossible to go out on the street, while here, it’s much calmer, for example.”
The interview with Rodrigues reveals a committed, ambitious, and grateful player for his experience in MLS. His positive attitude and constant pursuit of excellence are admirable, and he continues to be a valuable asset to San Jose Earthquakes, while leaving the door open for a future that may bring even more success and achievements in his career.