Rafael Baca is in his second season in San Jose. At just 22 years old, the central midfielder has appeared in all six games thus far in 2012, starting five and providing a goal and an assist.
Born in Tuxpan, Mexico, Baca moved to Southern California at the age of seven, his family settling in Lawndale. After completing a standout four-year playing career and earning his degree in Spanish at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, he was not selected in either the MLS SuperDraft or Supplemental Draft in 2011. Undeterred, Baca headed north and trained with the Quakes for several months prior to officially signing on July 8, 2011. He made his MLS debut as a late substitute in a scoreless home draw with the Philadelphia Union the following night, ultimately starting 11 of 15 games played for San Jose through the rest of the year and contributing a goal and three assists.
SJEarthquakes.com caught up with Baca after training this week in San Jose. The Earthquakes (4-1-1, 13 pts.) await Real Salt Lake (5-2-0, 15 pts.) for an early-season first-place showdown in the MLS Western Conference this Saturday, April 21, at Buck Shaw Stadium (7:30 p.m. PT / CSNBA, 1590 KLIV, 1370 KZSF).
SJEarthquakes.com: Let’s get your thoughts on Saturday’s draw in New Jersey.
Rafael Baca: The first half was difficult because they came out with high intensity, and they have good players like (Thierry) Henry, (Kenny) Cooper and (Rafa) Marquez who were playing really well. We were not controlling the ball, so they created a lot of chances. But in the second half, we were able to dominate the game more, prevent those passes to Marquez, who was a distributor for them, and that’s what got us better possession in the second half and a good result in New York.
SJE: Do you guys feel as though you’ll be taken a little more seriously around the league as a contender this year after your performance there?
RB: Yeah. We knew going into the match that it was going to be a challenge for us, since New York is one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference right now. I think we proved that we are capable of competing against the best teams.
SJE: Six games in, and two points out of first-place with a game in hand. How do you rate the team’s play here in the early going?
RB: We’re playing well. We’re keeping the ball well and controlling the midfield, which is important in every game, because I believe that the team that controls the midfield creates the most opportunities. Then it’s just a matter of putting goals away, and that’s what we’ve been doing. If we continue to do that, we’re going to be in good shape for the rest of the season.
SJE: How do you feel you’ve performed individually?
RB: I think I’m playing well. I’m happy with the way I’m playing. However, I’m never satisfied. I always want more. As long as I’m helping the team win, and we’re winning, it’s always a positive thing.
SJE: Some unfortunate injuries on Saturday, which will test this team’s depth, but the early signs indicate that the squad is indeed a deep one. Your thoughts?
RB: It’s sad to have Shea (Salinas) and Victor (Bernardez) out, but I think that we have a deep team, and the players that come in will do a good job.
SJE: You’ve worked well together with Sam Cronin, teaming up to start the sequence that led to your goal at Red Bull Arena. How have you been able to develop that midfield partnership this season?
RB: Sam and I have developed a good chemistry. I know where to give him the ball, and he knows where to give it back. We have shown that chemistry on the field, and it has provided us with some clear scoring opportunities and some goals.
SJE: How disappointed were you to not be selected in either draft coming out of LMU, and how did that motivate you to get to where you are today?
RB: It’s always disappointing when you don’t get an opportunity that you’ve always been looking for, but I’ve gone through many obstacles in my life, so I was ready. I wasn’t going to give up. I had that obstacle in front of me. I just took that as another challenge in my life. I knew that there was going to be another opportunity, and when it came, I was going to make the most of it. Thanks to God, San Jose gave me that opportunity and that’s why I’m here. I’m happy to be here, and I hope to be here for more years to come.
SJE: What’s been the best part so far of being a professional soccer player?
RB: For me, it’s just playing and enjoying the game that I love. I love to win, and that’s why I play soccer.
SJE: Clearly a big test back at home this week in a battle for first-place with RSL. What kind of a game do you expect?
RB: We’re ready. I think at home, we should never lose. It’s going to be tough for them because we’re going to leave everything on the field. We’re going to continue to play our soccer, so knowing that, and knowing that we’re home, we should get the three points.
SJE: Three of your four career assists have been to Wondo. What’s it been like to play with such a lethal and in-form finisher?
RB: Wondo’s a great player. I look up to him. It’s a privilege to play with him. I’m learning a lot from him. Hopefully, one day, I can be like him and win a Golden Boot (laughing).
SJE: Let’s go back to July 9, 2011, when you came on with 10 minutes left in the Philadelphia game for your MLS debut. What was running through your mind that night?
RB: A lot of things went through my mind once Frank (Yallop) told me to get ready. Everything, my whole life, the obstacles I had to overcome, all went through my mind. In the short time from getting up to get ready, waiting for the (substitution) and going on the field, I thought about my whole life since I was little, and that my dream was coming true. It was a great feeling, and I will never forget that moment.
SJE: Frank Yallop has shown quite a bit of faith in you early in your career. Talk about that relationship a little bit.
RB: I respect Frank a lot. He’s a great coach. By him having confidence in me, it makes it easier for me to play out on the field, and I think it shows. I’m comfortable playing, and just continuing to work hard, which is what Frank has asked of me. I think that’s what has given him that confidence in me, and hopefully, it continues.
SJE: Were there any players you looked up to as you were coming up in the game?
RB: I looked up to (Brazilian playmaker) Ronaldinho when he was in his prime, and now (FC Barcelona and Argentina star) Lionel Messi. Messi is one of the top players, and I look up to him, because he’s my size, too. Also right now, for my position, I watch a lot of videos of (FC Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres) Iniesta. He’s a great player and plays for one of the best teams.
SJE: What do you enjoy doing away from the soccer field?
RB: I like going to the beach and just relaxing, playing video games and watching movies. Sometimes, you have to relax and forget about soccer for a little bit. The most important thing for me is hanging out with my family. My family means a lot to me, so I love spending time with them, too.
Rafa’s Favorites
Favorite Food: Pambazos.
Favorite Movie: Rudo y Cursi.
Favorite Musical Artist: Maná (Mexican rock band).
Favorite Foreign Team: FC Barcelona.
Favorite Player: Andres Iniesta.
