Outside90 senior editor Joel Fruci had the chance to chat with Vancouver Whitecaps and Costa Rica centre-back Kendall Waston.
Outside90: So Kendall, Vancouver is second in the Western Conference at the moment. How’s the morale in the dressing room?
Kendall Waston: It’s pretty good. In the pre-season we were talking about wanting to make history this year. So now we just have to keep on our same shape, our same mentality to keep on winning the games and stay as high as we can in the table.
O90: Although there’s quite a long way to go in the season, has the team been speaking about winning the MLS Cup and finishing on top of the conference table?
KW: Yes, that is what we want. We know that the two first teams are automatically qualified to the play-offs and we know that nothing is impossible. We have a great squad that can do special things.
O90: Carl Robinson is in charge as manager. He’s still fairly young and only recently retired so I’m assuming he would have a very intimate knowledge of modern football, and he’s also got history in the English game. What does he bring to the team as manager?
KW: What I like about Carl is because how he was a player, he understands us a lot. He knows how to organise the team, he knows how to have a great relationship with us and that helps us a lot in games because we feel comfortable with him, we feel great working with him every day, so I think he brings a lot of enjoyment to the group.
O90: You’ve been playing in the MLS for nearly a year now. What’s the quality of play like in the MLS compared to the Costa Rican Primera?
KW: Here is better (than in Costa Rica). The teams, the environment, the facilities, everything that you we here is better because obviously they have more money to help the clubs and provide greater facilities to help improve players technical ability.
O90: What’s it like living in Vancouver as a city?
KW: This place is really nice. We have beautiful mountains, everything is very comfortable here, it is a very secure city. So it is a nice place to live, and my family are very happy here.
O90: Has anything about the MLS surprised you, like the standard of play?
KW: No, I’m not surprised. When I was in Costa Rica, we watched the MLS games on TV so before I signed I knew that the quality was going to be of a high level.
O90: Soon you’ll be playing against Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard as well as David Villa, who is already with New York City. How excited are you knowing that you’ll be playing against those players?
KW: That is very good for me because I like to play against great players and those top players. I remember them when I was younger and have always admired them when I’m watching their games on TV, so playing against them will be fond memory of mine.
O90: You’ve already made two appearances for Costa Rica and you’re still quite young at 27. What are your ambitions for the future with the national team?
KW: With the national team, my ambitions are that they call me for the eliminatory games and this will hopefully allow me a chance to cement my place as a regular in the national team. I just always try to do my best here with the club and to become a better player every day.
O90: Bryan Oviedo playing in the Premier League – he’s quite popular in England and Costa Rica. In your eyes, is he a player Costa Rica can build a future on?
KW: Yes, I think he certainly is and has plenty room for improvement. He’s had a lot of injuries recently, but when he recovers well I think he will get the best out of himself.
O90: You’re a centre-back, growing up were there any players who you idolised and even today, are there players who you try to model your game on?
KW: I used to like Maldini a lot and I still like John Terry, Thiago Silva and David Luiz. Those are the players that I’ve tried to learn from and improve my game.
O90: In Australia we have had plenty of Costa Ricans play in our league: Carlos Hernandez, Marvin Angulo, Jean Carlos Solorzano and Kenny Cunningham. Have they shared their experiences of Australia with you?
KW: Oh yes. I am good friends with them so back home, they talk with me about Australia and the league. They say it is a very good league and Australia as a country is a paradise.
O90: If you were to leave Vancouver, is the A-League a career path you would like to explore?
KW: Yes, maybe. I know it is a very good league, so if anything goes on and if there is any interest in me going there, they just have to talk with my agent!
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