This week I got the chance to speak with our new Spanish Houston Dynamo players, David Rocha and Agus, after the scrimmage against RGVFC.

The scrimmage ended 2-1 a win for our Houston Dynamo against our feeder USL club from the Valley. Rocha and Agus both went the full 90 minutes and lead the team in the Spring Break heat. Both players are still relatively new to the Dynamo, and have only been living in Houston for a month now. It’s been great to see them come together with the team and hear their opinions on the move from Spain, Dynamo fans, and the Texas heat…

(Article conducted in Spanish by me and translated into English by me as well.)

Question: How has the transition been from Spain to America, and what do you notice is different?

Agus: First of all I am very happy to be here in Houston, in truth the change has been massive. Not only in soccer terms, but also in day to day life living in Houston is much different. It has been easier having Raul Rodriguez and David Rocha to help adapt. We are progressing everyday, especially with everyone here helping us out. It is very very different living in Houston to any other Spanish city, but regardless we are learning and very happy to be here.

Rocha: The day to day life has been similar, with training and resting at home. What has changed is the dynamic at training, because the style of play in Spain is more possession and technical while here it is more physical and transition based. So for me doing the same thing for 12-13 years it is a little difficult transitioning to America, but I am adapting quickly.

Question: Now speaking of soccer, what do you think about the Houston Dynamo style of play and MLS style of play in general? What differences are there between Spanish soccer and how are you adapting?

Agus: Well the team has come out with two good showings in our first two games, so we are very well set in facing any team with any style that comes at us. The starting 11 has done very well, as for me I will train hard, and make think difficult for the coach. I will be there and be ready when they need me.

Rocha: Like I told you Spanish teams play all similar to each other and want to possess the ball and in MLS it is faster I would say and there are changes and transitions everywhere.

Question: How do you envision yourself helping the team, and what personal goals do you have for this season?

Agus: Well the goal is for me to play the best possible and help the team from there. The better I play, the better for me and for the team collectively as I can contribute and help. I think we need to see the greater goal, the important aspect is the Dynamo and we all need to work together to better the team. Lastly from the personal standpoint I will contribute as much as I can.

Rocha: Little by little I am aiming at earning more and more minutes. There is a great change from where I am coming, so day by day getting better is how I am to adapt and getting to the level my teammates and my coach need me to be at.

Question: What do you think about the fan’s support here in Houston and MLS?

Agus: Well so far I only know the Dynamo fans because we started off the season with two home games, in truth the atmosphere in the stadium has been spectacular as has the welcome to Houston has been. The support has been by our side when we are on the field and its a huge plus. Each game in BBVA Compass Stadium is a huge plus with our fans.

Rocha: They’ve been great! The two first home games have had an incredible atmosphere and from what I read online I saw MLS is 7th in the world in terms of attendance so I am extremely content. Hopefully in Spain they pick up the mentality to keep raising attendance each year like here.

Question (for Rocha only): I have heard a lot about a “Rochazo” (from your previous club’s fans) ie: a long distance goal by you Mr.Rocha, when can we expect one of those in Dynamo orange?

Rocha: Well hopefully they come very soon, I spent 2 1/2 years that were incredible as I had the luck to score many goals and many of them being beautiful. So hopefully the goals start coming and I continue getting better and contributing with goals to the team.

Question: Lastly, what have you liked about Houston so far?

Agus: Well first of all I haven’t been here very long and with the short time I have had I have spent it searching for an apartment, a car, and living in hotel. It hasn’t allowed much time to explore yet, but the part of the city I have come to know has been great and I am very happy to be in Houston!

Rocha: I haven’t had much time to explore with a search for apartments and cars, but it is indeed an enormous city. To get from one point from another it takes a long time with the traffic. With the time I have had I’ve visited Downtown and Herman Park and so far it’s been a magnificent city.

What do you expect out of Rocha and Agus this season, let us know in the comments below!

Special shout out to these two stellar professionals for interviewing after training, and I am glad to get my first player interviews out of the way with David Rocha and Agus.

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