we are not playing as well as we did last season, but we have achieved good results this year as well. We are hanging around in the fight, trying to qualify for the playoffs and looking to win the MLS Cup."
How do you explain the fact that, after having a solid 2008 season in which you won the SuperLiga, the team has had an unsteady 2009 season?
"I think that what has affected us are the injuries we sustained. Important members of the team, experienced players, which are the core of the starting lineup, have been injured throughout the season. So our team has had to face matches with inexperienced players who are in their first MLS season, and that was hard on us at first. But despite that, we have fought back and racked up points, and here we are in the fight among the top teams to make the playoffs."
Is it hard for you guys to think of the fact that your playoff hopes for this season are riding on mathematical chances when in past seasons the New England Revolution had already clinched a playoff berth and had their mind set on the MLS Cup at this point?
"Of course it is! It's hard -- the fact that we have to go into games thinking we have to win is very hard, because if you don't know how to handle the situation, there is a lot of pressure put on you and that can end up being a bad thing. But, like I said, we have to be concentrated going into our remaining games to get positive outcomes from them and make the playoffs."
Nonetheless, the possibilities this season are still alive with New England having the chance to qualify as the eighth team for the playoffs. How does the team have to approach these final games of the regular season?
"With a lot of responsibility, and trying to give it everything we've got, in order to get points which are very important if we want to reach the playoffs and win the MLS league championship."
Who is going to win the 2009 MLS Cup?
"Ohhh! ... That's a tough one. I see one big struggle, because even the teams that have proven to be strongest throughout the season, such as the Columbus Crew and the Chicago Fire, are not playing good soccer. Anything can happen. Just like the Red Bulls making it to the MLS Cup last season, anybody can make it this year. I would like it to be my team, but we have to keep fighting and take it one step at a time in order to get there. It's very tough but it can be done and if I were to pick a team I would pick the New England Revolution."
On a personal level, how much does MLS and the New England Revolution contribute to the enrichening of your career as a player?
"It has helped me a lot. It is very nice to be here and experience new things, different than those a person is used to from his country. I am very thankful to the New England Revolution organization, which has given me the opportunity to be a part of the team. Unfortunately, this season I haven't been able to give back to them like I would have liked to, but this is due to my injury, not my will."
Do you have anything left to give to the New England Revolution?
"Of course I do! Last year I played 32 games, but I felt in debt knowing that I could serve the team better. And this season I have only played three games, and now I'm in debt to the team."
Would you like to continue playing for New England or go back to Honduras?
"The truth is that I would like, if possible, to stay here on the team for many more years and try to always help the team out. This has been my way of thinking since I got here -- to try to play well, try to add value to the team, and I really want to continue playing here. I like the city, I like the team's atmosphere, and the team's training facilities and stadium are very nice as well."
They say that soccer players always end up going back to the clubs with which they debuted. Since leaving Motagua in 2002 you have not gone back to the club. Would you like to have another opportunity with them?
"I don't think so ... to be honest, no. I am very thankful to them for allowing me to be recognized at a national level in Honduras but my stint with Motagua is over."
So your priority is staying with the New England Revolution?
"Yes, that's right."
Which is your main objective with the New England Revolution in what's left of the year?
"First, try to get back on the playing field. What a player always desires is to win championships and leave a footprint wherever he steps. I think that is very important. I have set that as my goal ever since coming to the New England Revolution, to win championships. Unfortunately, we haven't been able to win the MLS Cup, but we were able to win the SuperLiga which is an international competition, and I hope we can continue winning in the future."
You are originally from Honduras, but you are currently living in the United States... Do you think you will have mixed feelings on Saturday's CONCACAF World Cup qualifying match between Honduras and USA?
"(Laughs) Yeah, for sure ... But ... I support the Honduran side. You have to wear your country's colors with pride always, so I want Honduras to win 100 percent."
Do you think that Honduras will get a positive outcome in the match and reach its overall goal which is to make it to South Africa 2010?
"I believe that Honduras is capable of qualifying for the World Cup. Honduras has a very solid team, with hard matches ahead like the one against the United States, and the advantage is that it is going to be played in our country, which can be a hard venue to play at for any team. I think Honduras will be in the World Cup once again -- I am very convinced about that."
What do you think about the matchup between Landon Donovan and Amado "El Lobo" ("The Wolf") Guevara, both MLS colleagues of yours and iconic figures of their country's national teams?
"A very interesting matchup. They are two very good players, that have something to give to the game each and every time they play. The game is going to be a good one, an entertaining match, because there are very good players giving it their all in to try to get the win for their side."
Being a Honduran who lives abroad, what do you think about the political crisis that your country is currently going through?
"It's a very sad situation, and the truth is that the Honduran people do not deserve to suffer because of these politicians that only want their personal well-being. But let's hope for this situation to be resolved soon so that everything in our country can go back to normal."
For Hispanic Heritage Month, what message would you give to fellow Hondurans who live in the United States and around the world who struggle for better days both inside and outside of their land?
"To wish them the best, tell them not to give up on their dreams, and achieve their goals. To keep on fighting like have been doing up until now."
