sjearthquakes.com:Your eighth preseason is coming to a close. After digesting that information, how are you feeling? I’m sure these bonding experiences never get old.
Shea Salinas: “Preseason is always fun. I always look forward to getting back into game shape. Players will be rusty at the beginning, but it’s cool seeing a team come together. It’s my eighth one now and it’s been exciting.”
SJEQ:From mixing it up with Innocent and Tommy in the attacking third to finding Adam and JJ on the end of services, what’s been your take away from the action on the pitch thus far?
SS: “So far I think we’ve looked good going forward. I’ll be interested to see how coach Kinnear uses all of the tools he has, because I feel like we’re pretty dangerous going forward. Playing with Innocent has been fun. He works hard, he has a great touch, so I’m excited about building a little chemistry with him.”
SJEQ: You've been instrumental in the team's scoring opportunities this preseason. Explain how you're feeling out there and what your mindset is going into every match.
SS: “I feel good. I feel really healthy. My mindset going into these games is getting really fit, so working as hard as I can on both sides of the ball, which usually means I get tired pretty quickly, but I’m trying not to hold back. I don’t think you can get fit if you’re just coasting through a game. It’s all about going 100% until you can’t go anymore.”
SJEQ:After spending a week in Tucson, the team has enjoyed two consecutive wins in Vegas and Sacramento. What have been your takeaways from those matches and what does it mean from a player perspective to earn those results heading into the season?
SS: “The Vegas and Sacramento trips were both great for us. The biggest takeaway was that we got shutouts. They were two wins and zero goals against, so it was a biggest confidence boost for our defense and it definitely shows that the work we’ve been putting in has been paying off. When you’re putting up shutouts, you give yourself a chance to have a successful season.”
SJEQ: You've been in San Jose for quite some time now. With living in the region and interacting with fans, what makes playing in the Bay Area so special?
SS: “The Bay Area’s been great. It’s my eighth season in the league and sixth in San Jose, so that’s really exciting. I had a little stint where I was away for a bit, but I’ve enjoyed being back with the club. Everyone talks about the weather, which is really great, but what I’ve loved is living in Santa Clara. I feel like Santa Clara is a nice community. My wife and I go to church in Santa Clara and we have a bunch of friends that live in walking distance of us, so it’s been cool to set some roots down and build throughout the community.”
SJEQ:From someone who's seen changes throughout the years in San Jose, explain what it means to have Dominic and this coaching staff at the helm.
SS: “Dom’s been really exciting to play for. I just love the way he coaches. He’s really positive, but he’s also not afraid to call you out if you make a mistake which is something that I think needs to be done. I know I need to be called out a lot and it holds players accountable, so that’s been enjoyable. I’ve also loved the freedom that he’s given us, encouraging us to take players on. That’s been really fun and I’m excited to play for him and I think I can learn a lot from him moving forward.”
SJEQ: You and your wife have recently welcomed in another member of the Salinas family. How is Shea the father different or similar to Shea the soccer player?
SS: “I feel lately I’ve been a lot more emotional. I’ve been reading more books and when I’m watching movies, I feel like I get a lump in my throat, so I think that’s been a great change for me. As far as soccer goes, it makes you more responsible. Supporting my wife and I was a challenge and fun, but now we have another life to take care of, so soccer becomes a little more serious.”
SJEQ:You are arguably one of the most recognizable players with this organization, but for all of the Shea experts out there, what’s something that no one would know about you?
SS: “I’m an open book about my faith, so I think a lot of people know that I’m a churchgoer. I love coaching kids – I do that often, so I think people know that about me. I have a bowl of ice cream every night before I go to bed. That’s something a lot of people don’t know about me, because I’m pretty skinny. It’s not every night, but 90 percent of the nights I’ll have a bowl of Extreme Moose Tracks before bed.”
SJEQ:You were named the Earthquakes’ U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year award-winner in 2009 and 2014 and have remained active in the Bay Area community ever since. What does it mean for you to give back to these Quakes fans?
SS: “I think that being Humanitarian of the Year is a cool award to get, because for me as a professional soccer player, you’re looked up to and you have an influence on kids, and I think that’s something that God wants me to be. He wants me to be a good example to kids and I really enjoy doing that. I’m a little kid at heart anyway, so I enjoy being around kids and helping out. It’s never been a burden on me. I just enjoy doing it.”
SJEQ:The community has been given one of the best gifts of all in having Avaya Stadium ready to go for this season. What are your thoughts on the new stadium and what do you think fans will like about it most?
SS: “Avaya Stadium looks amazing. For me personally, it’s a night and day difference to Buck Shaw. I think fans will enjoy the atmosphere the most. There’s not a bad seat in the house and walking around in the stands, you feel like you’re on top of the pitch. Just the viewing experience is incredible, so I think that they’ll enjoy that and hopefully we give them good games to view.”
