With the Chicago Fire, including Mexican star Cuauhtemoc Blanco, due in town this weekend, HoustonDynamo.com had a chance to sit down with Isaac Terrazas, a veteran of Mexico's 1998 World Cup team, for a look at Blanco's impact on MLS.
HoustonDynamo.com: For those who don't know, when did you start your soccer career?
Isaac Terrazas: My career started in 1990, when I was 16 years old. I retired almost exactly one year and a half ago, in 2006 in Veracruz. I started off playing with America, and ended my career playing with Veracruz.
HD: What is the most important thing that you learned during your soccer career?
IT: Discipline. Discipline is the most important thing. If you are a person who has discipline, no matter what it is that you choose to do, you can achieve various things. Discipline is consistency and perseverance. It means not getting out of your objectives and not leaving your dreams.
HD: I know that you and Cuauhtémoc Blanco used to be teammates, what can you say about Blanco as a soccer player?
IT: I had the opportunity to play with Blanco for a very long time. I have known him for 20 years now; we met when we were about 15 years old. He is a great person, and to be honest, he is very professional. The only thing that he has on his mind is to win, win and win. Of course he knows how to lose, but I think that it is his mentality on winning and doing things right that keeps him being the great player that he is.
HD: Did you guys ever have to play on opposite teams or play against each other?
IT: Yes, various times. We played against each other when he played for Necaxa and I played for America. Then I was captain for Veracruz and he played for America; I was defense and Blanco was their forward. So this shows that we ran into each other plenty of times. But every confrontation that we had was very special, because we both do not like to lose. Even though we are great friends, we played harder when playing against each other. It was something about our ego and pride and not letting yourself get beat by your friend.
HD: What do you think about the MLS?
IT: The MLS is a very organized league. It is growing rapidly, and you can see this in an international level.
HD: What do you think Blanco is bringing to MLS?
IT: I think that for the moment, Blanco has brought great things to the MLS. His athletic capacity has definitely been recognized. Something that I've seen Blanco bring to the MLS, which to me is very important, is his desire to help. He has desire to help his people, to help his team, to help Latin people, and to love his country. It is very important to have an identity.
HD: Tell us about one experience you had while playing with Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
IT: After one of our games against Atlas, I was walking off and turned around just in time to see that someone wanted to start a fight against Blanco. So I ran out there and with a strong push, I stopped this man from touching Blanco. So immediately, the one thing that I wanted to do was to protect Blanco.
HD: Do you and Blanco still communicate; are you two still friends?
IT: Yes, Blanco and I still remain close friends. I have his number and we still talk all the time. I have been to Chicago a few times to watch him play, and just yesterday he was in Veracruz. The Chicago Fire were playing there [in a friendly], and I got to see him.
HD: What advice could you give any person out there trying to start their soccer career?
IT: Number one, you have to visualize your dreams, and not let anyone or anything take you away from your objective. Everything is based on discipline. If you have a disciplined lifestyle, you will reach your dreams. And it is also important that parents out there continue to support their children.
