OneGoal: So once a contract is expiring in the soccer world that brings a lot of question marks for everyone. But for you, that meant the move to Liga MX and playing for Pumas. So when did you hear of that opportunity? And why did you decide that the change of scenery was best for you?

Saucedo: Honestly, I had a few options in Europe. I had a few options here in Mexico, Pumas wasn't the only Club interested. It was definitely a good situation to be in but it sucked too because my family is from Utah and RSL was always a team that I've wanted to play for and they never showed interest, and I don't know what it was. I wanted to re-sign a new contract and hopefully be one of the best players there, but at the end of the day when I'm growing as a player and as a person, I knew that me staying at RSL was not going to be an opportunity to be able to pursue my dreams. Because I do tell you one thing, if I would have re-signed for RSL, I couldn’t see myself in the Olympic Squad.

OneGoal: Are you saying that because you wouldn't have seen the pitch as much or because the Mexican League started earlier, so you had more time to show that?

Saucedo: That too. I mean me going to Europe would probably have changed everything in that scenario. [The coaching staff] probably would have seen me differently. They probably would have called me to the senior national team because I think that it's easier to get called up to the senior national team when you're in Europe.

But there are times when soccer players don't realize stuff. Sometimes you have to get into a 1v1 conversation with the coach, where they come and tell you “Look this is what you've done. This is what you've done wrong. And this is what we need to work on.” But RSL never did that for me.

When I came to Pumas, why is it that I started all nine games - I had highs and lows during all those nine games, but why is it that I continuously got a starting spot? Was it them giving me an opportunity?

It was the coach biting into all my difficulties of what I go through as a player. If it's my defensive play, he broke it down. I had a meeting with my coach here at Pumas. He said “We got you because of what you can do with the ball. Yes, we doubt your defensive work, but that's why you're here, to be able to work day to day and show the team that you're able to help on defense as well. And that's us giving you the confidence to do situations like this.”

OneGoal: Yeah, that's just surprising to hear that the message wasn't coming from RSL.

Saucedo: And yeah, they [RSL] did tell me: “Oh, you know you need to work on defending, and here's a video.” But how do you get better? How do you get better by doing all these little mistakes you're making? You need to keep starting, keep playing, keep making those same mistakes, but knowing that you're learning game to game. Because I already knew, at the end of the weekend, I already knew the lineup. It was the same lineup at RSL.

In training sessions, they separated us into those same line ups and we would know. Yeah, they would switch here and there, but you already knew who was going to start and it was no different. Here at Pumas, I am starting every weekend and every game, but I sit here and tell you, I still feel like my spot is in danger every week. I still need to keep working my butt off because they mix the teams.

“Here at Pumas, I am starting every weekend and every game, but I sit here and tell you, I still feel like my spot is in danger every week.” - Sebastian Saucedo on the intensity of training at Pumas.

OneGoal: So you mentioned one difference there that you noticed between your Club situations. What were some others?

Saucedo: I'm working with my coach here at Pumas, a legendary guy from Real Madrid. His name is Michel Gonzales. I feel so happy because now in quarantine, I sit here and I talk to him three times a week. He calls me and explains to me what I need to focus on, he sends me video. He does it for everyone as well. I'm not the only player, but this is something special that he built with our team.

OneGoal: So my next question then was just what are the differences that you noticed between playing in MX and MLS?

Saucedo: There's a huge huge difference. You know, it's very tactical here in Mexico. There's a lot of really good talent. A lot of special players with the ball. And I'm not saying that there are no tactical or technical teams in the MLS because there are. I think that MLS is growing. I feel like MLS is also more professional [Than Liga MX] in general with all aspects outside of soccer. I think it's getting more of a fan base. It's good to see the US growing in soccer as a sport because we need it. And now you see Gio, Christian, Weston, Tyler, you know them representing us around the world kind of just puts a stamp on what other youth players can do, and how successful an American can be in Europe.