Can you talk about how you came to the game of soccer? Who were the players and clubs you idolized as a kid?

So I started playing soccer at the age of 5. Soccer was always a big part of my family history. I’m Half Uruguayan and half Italian and in those countries soccer is a way of life and luckily I was brought up playing soccer at a very young age. The players I idolized as a kid were Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez. My dad always tries to watch games when a Uruguayan is playing and when I was growing up, Forlan and Suarez were the next big players coming out of Uruguay. Clubs I idolized were the MetroStars and now I’m a huge fan of Liverpool!

You spent some time in RBNY academy, what was that experience like? Do you feel like it shaped you as a player?

Yea from U15 to U23 I was playing with NYRB academy. The experience is unlike any other. When you’re brought into a professional environment at such a young age, it definitely shapes you into the player you become. It gives you the opportunity to train with the best players in the area and I was lucky enough to win an Academy National Championship with them.

You've played for several amateur clubs. Can you walk us through your playing career so far?

So I was apart of the NYRB academy like I said before, then I went to Siena college in New York. After that I played for Stockade FC and unfortunately had a bad injury so took time off. Once I got better I went to go play professional in Uruguay for a year. Then I spent 2 months with the Greenville triumph before USL got shutdown from the Virus. Then I happened to get a call a few months after about Olympians FC in Arizona so I packed my bags and came to AZ!

How would you describe your game?

I would describe my game as a very annoying and strong #9. I like to move around a lot behind the defense so they’re always occupied on where I am on the field and I also hold up the ball very well and once I got the ball inside the 18 my only thought is to create a dangerous chance for myself or my teammates.

Alex celebrates after scoring in the UPSL semifinals against Capital City.

Your club Olympians, barely missed out on a UPSL Championship. Can you talk about that final match with Ginga (now Atletico Atlanta)?

The final was great game for both teams before the Red card. It was a back and forth game with both teams wanting to push forward for that opening goal but the Red kind of ruined the flow of the game. I thought we had a very good game plan in not allowing certain players with a lot of time on the ball which would lead to them being frustrated.

Be honest, did he really hit you in the face? Looked like you were selling it from the sidelines.

Yes, he really did punch me in the face. When I went back to watch the game, you can see it clear on film when they show the replay. It was a weird situation to be in because it’s not like a hit him off the ball or was talking trash to him to get him mad. I simply just shielded the ball out of bounds and he landed on me, as he was going to get up that’s when he threw the jab at my face.

Your club had a great season, but as a player, does losing on PKs in the final sting worse than maybe exiting earlier on in the playoffs?

Losing in PKs is never easy. It’s part of the game and some people say it’s unfair or unjust for a team to lose in that fashion but to me it’s the right way to end the game. It definitely stings worse than maybe losing before the finals but it happens.

What's your soccer playing plans for this spring?

So for the spring I’m looking to go into preseason with a team from USL1 or NISA. I am trying to see which team is willing to take me in at the moment.

What's your hype music before a match?

My hype music is a mixture between Spanish music and Rap. I like to listen to Pop Smoke, J Cole, Travis Scott and Bad Bunny most of the time before a game.

- cover art created by Cory Mizer.