Greg Garza, calling from Tijuana, sounded excited to start the next chapter of his professional soccer career.
The book started when he was 12 years old and left Texas to play in Brazil. It continued to Brazil and then to Mexico. The chapter now being written is focused on Atlanta United, an expansion side that will being play in MLS in just a few weeks.
Garza, a left fullback, will be on loan from Club Tijuana in Mexico’s first division, to Atlanta United for a year. But he hopes that the loan can turn into a purchase and multi-year stay.
Garza touched on his impressions of Atlanta United, MLS vs. Liga MX, playing for Jurgen Klinsmann, and his future with the U.S. men’s national team Wednesday.
Questions and answers have been edited and/or paraphrased for brevity and clarity.
Q: Why join an MLS expansion side? What was the attraction?
A: The main thing for me was interest. I like the interest that Atlanta had shown from the very beginning. Personally, it was a wonderful opportunity to go back home and be in the league.
League is growing each and every day and why not a perfect place like Atlanta? What they are doing is an amazing job of getting young and talented players.
The business side looks very intriguing. It’s a wonderful team that keeps going.
Q: What are your thoughts about the coaching staff? Have you met Gerardo Martino yet?
A: I have not met Tata. I have talked to a couple of the assistant coaches and trainers.
Not much can be said. His background, teams he has trained, things he has accomplished. No words you can say about being under the belt of a coach like Martino.
I hope to learn as much as I can from these people that have taught the best players in the world, guys we look up to, our idols.
It’s a wonderful opportunity for myself and all of us that are joining Atlanta United.
Q: What do you think about the roster? Have you had a chance to see who has been signed?
A: I really like it.
I had Hector Villalba with me at Tijuana the past six months. He’s a great addition.
(Miguel) Almiron, a lot of different guys. The back four are guys who have been in and out of the (U.S.) national team.
Main thing is to gel as quickly as we can and find that chemistry as quickly as we can.
I’m sure they have plans. From the very beginning, the assistant coaches have been contacting me to explain how they will be playing and training.
It’s very organized from the very beginning. I’m not used to that in the past. Things can be done a little bit differently here in Mexico.
From a business standpoint, personal standpoint and making my family feel comfortable, that’s key to success.
Q: I know you haven’t played in MLS yet, but what’s your view of how the league compares in quality to LIGA MX?
A: If you asked me that 5-6 years ago when I first got here, I'd likely had said I'll be staying here for a very long time.
As time has gone, you can see it from the CONCACAF Champions (League), we had games 2-3 years ago and it seems that it keeps getting tougher.
Mexican league is a little nudge ahead of MLS, but now MLS teams like Montreal have gotten to the CONCACAF Champions final.
It’s really shown that MLS is continually growing. It’s probably the first or second (league) to compete with Mexico in all of the Americas.
I think that the league is growing tremendously. They are bringing young and talented players. It’s a not retirement league anymore.
Atlanta United, they are hiring young DPs. That’ll really help the league grow and help the American guys come back or stay and say, “Let’s make the American league as big as possible.”
So many cultures and nationalities make this league. It’s up there with the Mexican league and the competitiveness is wonderful.
Q: Seeing as how you are joining the team on loan, does that change your approach or goals?
A: it doesn't affect anything. It's just how everything panned out between the two sides. It doesn't affect me in any way. I have to play under the same pressure everywhere I've been since I left home at 12.
It’s my dream to be a professional. I’m doing what I love and my passion.
Hopefully it’ll be for a year and they can buy me on the buyout clause and I can be there for a few more years.
Right now, I’ll concentrate on the first year and find the chemistry to gel with the team. It’s a new start for all of us.
Q: What were your thoughts about your time with the USMNT under Klinsmann?
A: I have nothing but good words to say about Klinsmann and his coaching staff. They called me in for the first time a couple of years back.
I learned a lot being under his belt. There’s nothing bad I can say about him. I’m very thankful for them helping me with my (hip) surgery.
It was the U.S. men’s national team doctor that did surgery on me and guided me throughout he way. Jurgen Klinsmann guided me through 10-11 excruciating months of rehab. I couldn’t have done it without them. He would come down every 2-3 months to Tijuana to see how I was doing and hopefully get me back into the mix.
I have to think positive and think Bruce (Arena) can get this team turned around.
You start form zero in 2017, everything from Atlanta to the U.S. men’s national team can be a new beginning and we can get back on track to quality for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Q: Can Arena lead the squad to the World Cup?
A: Of course. I don't think they could have picked a better guy. He has experience. I was probably 9-10 years old when I looked up to all those guys and to him as well.
Hopefully, I’ll have the opportunity to play under him. that’s my goal to make the 23-man roster for all the future qualifying matches.
Being in Atlanta and at home will give Bruce a better chance to look at me and hopefully get back in the mix and be back in the squad.
Q: Give people a scouting report on Hector Villalba. I assume you faced him in training sessions?
A: Very quick player. One of the quickest players I've played with or trained against. Very quick. Very technical.
Mainly for me was something that stuck out was the off the field. He came out, he put his head down and worked hard. That might have been difficult for someone that came on a six-month loan knowing they were already an Atlanta United player.
He looked at it as a place to keep in shape, keep fit and get some games. He came in and was humble.
He was one of my good friends. It’s pretty cool to see us being on same page and same team in the States.
Hopefully, I can help him make the transition to the States. It can be difficult for people that don’t speak English.
As a player, he’s a wonderful player. And he’s a better person off the field.
Q: Give people a scouting report on you?
A: I have the very American mentality. That's what stands out most. Being out of the country that's what most coaches would say.
I never give up. I leave everything on the field. That’s probably why I did have the injury.
I’m a guy that likes to go up and down the field and can run forever.
Hopefully, I’ll find a starting position at left back and bring the best of my football.
Starting at such a young age in Brazil at 12 and then going to Portugal, I think my technical ability is probably a bit different than most Americans. Learning the South American way and the European way of playing quickly.
Main thing is to never give up and leave everything on the field.
Q: This came from twitter: What’s your favorite OutKast track?
A: OutKast is one of my favorites. "Ms. Jackson" or "Hey Ya!"
I have a 3-year old son that likes OutKast. My kid dances to “Hey Ya!”
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