SAN JOSE, Calif. - Welcome to the club, Anibal! After making his debut for the Quakes in a 1-0 win against Colorado, we caught up with the newly acquired Panamanian midfielder to talk about his first training session, playing alongside his good friend Victor Bernardez and more.
sjearthquakes.com:
Welcome to San Jose! Your first match in a Quakes uniform and you play 90 minutes against Colorado. How do you feel after your debut?
Anibal Godoy:
“I was very happy to arrive here to this team before the match and debut with a victory. But first thanks to God for what he has given me and for the opportunity to be here.”
SJEQ: How was training this morning ahead of this week's two-game road trip?
AG:
“Today we trained on the field and I felt good. It was great to get out there with my teammates and prepare for our road trip. We’re trying to get maximum points and get to the playoffs.”
SJEQ: How important is it to have a friend like Victor [Bernardez] not only on the team but playing behind you?
AG:
Well, for me, it is very important. I’m grateful to him. We’d already talked before I arrived here and when I arrived here he assured me it was going to be a great time. He also told me to play simple and he’s helped me a lot on the field so far. We know we have a big responsibility to help the team go forward. We are a united group and we want to achieve great things.”
SJEQ: A month ago you were playing against the United States in the third place game in the Gold Cup. Did that experience help you understand the game in the United States and help convince you to come to MLS?
AG:
“Well, I was looking for the opportunity to come to MLS and thanks to God he gave me that opportunity. When I spoke to San Jose they told me they’d been watching me play the last four years, but I didn’t know that. I was working hard for the national team and trying to win all of the games. In the Gold Cup, things didn’t turn out how we hoped but it was an opportunity to come here and I will take full advantage of it.”
SJEQ: Your Panamanian teammate Roman Torres recently signed for Seattle. How does it feel to have fellow countrymen playing in the same league as you?
AG: “It’s very good. We know that we’ve had fellow countrymen who have opened the door for us here, and now Roman and I have recently arrived. We know it’s a very competitive league and I’m very happy for Roman. He’s a player who deserves this and a lot more. We know if we do things well we’ll have the opportunity to open the door to other Panamanians to join MLS.”
SJEQ: What are your first impressions of Avaya Stadium?
AG: “Impressive. It’s a very beautiful stadium. It has a great atmosphere and it was a joy to play for the fans on Friday. It’s important for us to play in front of fans like that so we feel comfortable. Now it is up to us to win the games we have remaining at home.”
SJEQ: For fans that may not know you, how would you describe yourself as a player and a person?
AG: “Well, I’m a very simple person. A simple person that is open to sharing with other people. As a player, I’m a hard-worker. I’ve come to work and fight and to help the team.”
