San Jose Earthquakes captain Ramiro Corrales is about to break the record for most minutes played in the history of the club. The Mexican-American sat down with SJEarthquakes.com to chat about his childhood, his beginnings in the world of football and his experience in Norway.
SJEartquakes.com: Let’s start with an easy question… How did you end up starting to play soccer?
Ramiro Corrales: (Laughs) It’s been so long… well, I started playing in the streets of Mexico with my friends. Although I was born in Los Angeles, I lived in Mexico from between the ages of seven to 15, and I began to play there. From playing in the streets, I joined a team when I was eight or nine, but I can’t remember exactly how old I was.
SJEQ: And why did you move to Mexico when you were seven?
RC: My father moved to Mexico and we kids were really young. When I was 15, he returned to the United States, to Salinas, Calif., and I went with him.
SJEQ: How did you deal with the changes?
RC: First, I remember that we didn’t want to go to Mexico, because we were very little. Then when I was 15, I wanted to come back, but my brothers stayed there studying and I returned with my dad. I was the youngest in the family and my brothers were older and in school, and I decided to go with my parents.
SJEQ: After high school, you turned pro immediately. Did you have offers to go to universities to play?
RC: No, I didn’t. I was scouted in Salinas, at both my high school and the club team on which I played. I was 16 and a coach by the name of Greg Peterson saw me play. So when I graduated in 1995, I started to play on his team, the Monterey Bay Jaguars, semi-professionally. And everything started from there.
SJEQ: Being from California, and after having lived close to San Jose, in Salinas, what does it mean to you playing with the Earthquakes so close to home?
RC: It was definitely one of the reasons that I returned to the United States from Norway. I wanted to be closer to my family and friends, who are very important to me. My family is my top priority.
SJEQ: What brought you to Norway in the first place?
RC: I wanted to try something different. The opportunity to play there arose, and I’m very happy with my decision to have gone there. I was there for three years and it was a great experience. We won the championship my last season there (with SK Brann), and I have very good memories of being in Norway.
SJEQ: How would you compare the style over there to that of the MLS?
RC: It’s a bit more direct. It’s more similar to that in England, but there are good teams and good players.
SJEQ: In this and last season, you already broke some club records, for games played and games started. Now you’re just 58 minutes away from breaking another record, for minutes played with the San Jose jersey...
RC: Seriously? I really had no idea! I knew that I’d played in lots of games with the team. I’ve pretty much been here since ’96, but I didn’t know that I was going to break another record. The important thing is to play well and for the team to win.
SJEQ: And what does it mean to you to have worn the Earthquakes jersey more times and for more minutes than any other player in the Club’s history?
RC: I wear the Quakes jersey with lots of pride. I started my career here and carry the Earthquakes in my heart. That’s another reason I came back here from Norway, because I really love this team. I’m also one of the few local players, and I wear the team badge on my heart.
SJEQ: What are your goals for this season?
RC: The main goal of all of us players is to qualify for the playoffs. Personally, I want to have a good season and stay healthy all year because, since I’ve returned, there have always been injuries that have kept me off the field. Last year I was out for 6-8 weeks, the year before as well, and I want to be physically healthy this season.
SJEQ: Apart from all things football, what do you like to do off the pitch?
RC: Above all, I like to spend time with my family and friends. I really enjoy being with them. I used to play lots of volleyball when I was younger, but I don’t have time for that anymore since I have my family. I also really like playing poker with my friends, and several of my teammates from the team like to play, as well... Wondo, Leitch, Sam (Cronin)...
SJEQ: And to finish, how do you get motivated before games?
RC: I like to listen to music. American music, Mexican music, whatever... a bit of everything.
