Embedded Files
Martin Vasquez (born December 24, 1963 in Yahualica) is a Mexican-born American former professional soccer player. He was most recently named [assistant coach for the U.S. National Men's Soccer Team along Jurgen Klinsmann].
As a player, Vasquez enjoyed a long career in both the Mexican and American leagues, playing in the early years of Major League Soccer. He also played for the national teams of both the United States and Mexico, the first player to do so [...]
Youth and college
Youth and college
Vasquez and his family moved to Los Angeles at the age of 12. He attended Alhambra High School in Alhambra, California, where he was a high school All-American soccer player. After high school, he returned to Mexico to briefly play for the B side of the Leones Negros de Guadalajara.
In 1980, Vasquez entered the California State University, Los Angeles, playing on the men's soccer team from 1980 to 1983. During his first two years, he spent the college off-season with Cojumatlan in the San Gabriel Valley Soccer League, in El Monte, California.
[...]
Vasquez was born in Mexico, but his formative years were spent in the United States. There's nothing more he would like to do as a national team coach than to help the U.S. become a formidable opponent for the world's elite. That will likely take a lot of hard work and sacrifice, traits that have served Vasquez well and that he learned from his father, Gavino.
Sacrificing
Sacrificing
Gavino came to the U.S. as a bracero, part of a program of laws and agreements the U.S. and Mexico used to have that allowed laborers from Mexico to work in the U.S.
When Vasquez was 12, he left his hometown of Yahualica, Jalisco, Mexico along with his mother and five siblings to join their father in the U.S. Gavino's long days in the sun and snow were spent on the railroads in Salt Lake City and in agriculture fields and as a landscaper throughout the U.S.
While his father worked, Vasquez focused in on becoming a professional soccer player. Vasquez eventually returned to Mexico, where his 15-plus years as a professional outdoor soccer player began.
The former midfielder eventually played for Mexico's national team during friendly matches. Playing for the U.S. national team was not an option for Vasquez since he wasn't a citizen.
After their temporary visas expired, Vasquez and his family remained in the U.S.
"If they (parents) were fearful of (being deported)," Vasquez said, "I never noticed it as a kid."
When Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the Vasquezes applied to become U.S. citizens.
The U.S. national soccer team then came calling for the first time, allowing Vasquez to become the first and one of only two players to represent the national teams of Mexico and the U.S in games.
"I'm proud to be from Mexico, my country of birth," Vasquez said. "But coming here (U.S.) at the age of 12, I got to learn a new culture. This is where I had my development as a soccer player. My wife and kids were born here. It was an incredible experience when I wore the U.S. jersey for the first time. I was filled with excitement and happiness. I was very proud.
"I've always said that my love for both countries was equal when I played for each country."
Rolling with the punches
Rolling with the punches
As an assistant for the U.S. national team, Vasquez also scouts the talent in Major League Soccer, Mexico and Central America who can someday represent the U.S., just as Vasquez did.
Vasquez has served as an MLS assistant and as a head coach only once, with Chivas USA in 2010. Klinsmann also took Vasquez to help coach prized German club Bayern Munich.
The less-than-one-year stints with Chivas USA and Bayern weren't all rosy for Vasquez. At Bayern, Vasquez and Klinsmann were criticized for not being technically proficient as coaches, leading to their dismissals from the club.
"We would have loved to have been there (Bayern) for years," Vasquez said. "But the 10 months we were there, I made the most of it. It is something that is helping me now as an assistant coach. We were put in a situation with so much pressure and stress, and we responded with hard work and good results. We are proud for that experience and are more mature. It helps you to grow thicker skin, so I am very fortunate."
With Chivas USA, the team failed to reach the postseason for the first time in five seasons in Vasquez's only season.
Still, Chivas USA's management said Vasquez would return after the end of the 2010 season. But when Vasquez refused to follow management's directive to get new assistant coaches, Chivas USA fired Vasquez.
"When you are a person and coach that believes in honesty, loyalty, professionalism and hard work and has to make decisions that go against that, then I wasn't going to do something that goes against that," Vasquez said. "At the end of the day I can look at myself in the mirror and say I did the right thing."
First loves
First loves
For someone who has coached professional clubs, Vasquez also enjoys coaching youth soccer players.
He was doing so when Klinsmann noticed Vasquez's coaching abilities for the first time in 2003. That's why it's not strange to find Vasquez, 48, giving lessons in Casa Grande.
"I want to give back to the sport that has been giving me so much," Vasquez said.
Being away from pro soccer also allowed him to spend time with his family, including his of wife of 23 years, Denise, Vasquez's high school sweetheart.
But when Klinsmann came calling to join him for Klinsmann's U.S. debut in August, the friends reunited.
"I was highly impressed (when I first saw him) working with an elite group of young players," Klinsmann said. "The way he communicated. The way he explains things. The way he puts every kind of energy, planning and work into sessions.
"So we built a bit of a friendship."
Vasquez wasn't awestruck when he met Klinsmann, a German Word Cup idol, for the first time.
Klinsmann was down to earth, just like Vasquez. The admiration for each other would go on to grow beyond soccer fields.
"Hard-working, honest men," Vasquez said. "That's what defines us."
Vasquez file
Vasquez file
As a player: Began his outdoor career with the Hollywood Kickers and California Kickers of the Western Soccer Alliance. ... Spent his first three years as a professional in Mexico with Universidad de Guadalajara, beginning in 1987. ... He played eight seasons in Mexico with four different pro teams. ... Played for Tampa Bay and San Jose of Major League Soccer and played in the MLS All-Star Game in 1996. ... Played three times for Mexico, seven times with the U.S.
As a coach: Served as an assistant with Cal Poly Pomona, women's professional soccer team San Diego Spirit, L.A. Galaxy, Chivas USA.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mart%C3%ADn_V%C3%A1squez
Report abuse