By Angel Ayala
Staff Writer
Alex Covarrubias otherwise known as Brownie is a former CSUDH student athlete. He left CSUDH in 2013 to pursue his dream of playing professional soccer. His dream quickly turned into reality when he got picked up by the L.A. Galaxy II. He is starting his third year with the team wearing number 57 on his back.
Q: How is your season going?
A: Season is going well, we started off really strong and went into a slump for a few games. Now we are just trying to finish off the season strong, get into playoffs and hopefully make a run for the championship.
Q: How does it feel playing for the best MLS team?
A:It’s an honor to play for the best team in the MLS and receive a lot of feedback in my game from the best coaches out here. It’s a big responsibility to represent L.A. Galaxy II on and off the field due to that fact that we are really known and because we have a lot of young athletes wanting to play for us. We have to be really good role models. I also played on the youth L.A. Galaxy Academy team so I know now what is expected as a player.
Q: What are different things you have learned on and off the field as you are now considered a professional athlete?
A:I have learned a lot throughout the couple years I have been playing for L.A. Galaxy II, not only as a player but as a person. I learned to come to training everyday ready to work and compete considering this is my job. Being able to get advice from older players that are experienced in the game has helped me as a player to improve my tactics and skills of play.
They have taught me that little things really matter in the game such as, tracking back on the field and positioning myself as the game goes. The most important thing of this game is being able to focus the (whole) 90 minutes of the game.
Something off the field that I have learned is you have to take care of your body. I have to make sure I’m eating right, keeping myself hydrated and taking ice baths after a heavy day of training.
Q: What advice do you have for someone that used to be in your shoes as a college athlete?
A: I would tell them if you really want to become a professional athlete you are going to have to sacrifice a lot. You have to put in the time after training to perfect your touch, get some conditioning in, and also work on your weak foot. You can never give up on something you have always wanted, be committed to the game as well as your dream and you will achieve a lot.
As a student athlete there is many distractions which makes school very hard. Not only do you have to make time out of your schedule for training, but you have to also make time to take care of your body and for the days you are traveling with your team. Being out of town, you can get carried away with your teammates and not want to do homework, which came really hard into play with me as a player and I am sure for a lot of athletes out there traveling.
Q: How have you adapted to the environment you are in now?
A: The first couple days I was very nervous. Coming in as a college athlete into a professional world full of talented players was pretty hard. It took me a while to adapt to the speed of play of college soccer on the professional level, but with every day at practice and getting to know my teammates and also getting comfortable, you develop that confidence.
Now going into my third year playing with the L.A. Galaxy II, I have adapted very well to this level and cannot wait to see what the future has ahead of me.
