CARSON, Calif. -- Marcelo Sarvas is no longer a member of the LA Galaxy, but the Brazilian midfielder who was a major part in two MLS Cup titles spoke to LAGalaxy.com about his tenure with the team.
In my exclusive sit down with Sarvas, the Brazilian speaks about his arrival and what brought him to the club as well as his relationship with the fans and teammates. However, not every bit was included in my own written piece or the video interview.
Below were some excerpts from my exclusive sit down with Sarvas.
(On replacing David Beckham in the midfield…)
SARVAS: I came to a team that was a championship and where every player was good especially in the midfield where we had Beckham and Juni. I worked so hard to get a spot but that year, I found my spot on the team because of the Olympic games where David was very busy. Then I started to play and the team started to win games—not because of me but because we were good. We then reached the playoffs and I started to play more and get more credit. That was year was the last year for David and then me and Juni started to play every game. It was a pleasure to replace David but, of course, it’s hard to fill his shoes. You can’t say anything about David and what he made for soccer. Then me and Juni started to work together and people started to see how we work together. This year was the best year for me for sure.
(On his mindset and why he was such a fan favorite…)
SARVAS: There are a lot of people who pay to make that day special for their family and their kids and that means that you have to give everything that you have. That doesn’t mean that you’re perfect every day, but they have to see that you’re trying and you fight for them. Now I go to Colorado with the same mentality to play for the people over there.
(On the goal against Seattle…)
SARVAS: I don’t know if I was preparing myself to leave the club because no one knows how negotiations can go. But things started to build up during and after the season and I was starting to feel like this was my last year with the Galaxy. When I scored that goal, it was like I was saying good bye to everyone and that’s why I felt that emotion. Even though we were going to the final, on my mind was that it was probably my last goal. Everything came very fast.”
(On when he started to feel like he was going to leave…)
SARVAS: Everyone knows the salary cap situation in MLS and everyone wishes for more which is normal. You have a team that is successful and every player wants more because your price rises. That’s normal in every club, but we know how it is here. We know that the Galaxy are always working with a tight budget so in my mind, I felt like we couldn’t reach what we wanted. Also, I think that every player and athlete needs a challenge. “Every player and every athlete needs a new challenge. I’ve been here for three years and while it’s natural to get settled, I always try to look over those emotions. It was time for a new challenge to get the best for me. Last year, I showed my best here and now I think I need something more to get the best from me. This move came at a good time for me.
(On the importance of getting a new contract…)
SARVAS: I think that with a contract you have to fight for the best for you and your family and that’s what I did. I’m 33, it’s no secret and I know that I’m going to be retired in three or four or five years. I’m prepared to play more with the way that I take care of myself, but the end will come soon, and my family has to be settled. Soccer doesn’t give the same opportunities to all players that are financially secure so I had to fight for my family.
(On what it’ll be like playing the Galaxy…)
SARVAS: “I don’t know. It’ll be nice to play against the guys that I know and it’ll be a real special moment for me.”
