August 2006
PAGE 21
Q "Romario"
With Soccer Legend
A
&
s the first Brazilian player ever named FIFA's World Player of the Year, Seattle Sounder fans turned out on July 1st
A
to see if "Romario" (de Souza-Faria), would get any closer to the magical number of 1,000 goals, an accomplish-
ment only achieved by the legendary Pele.
In a battle of aggressive offense and active midfield play, the home team Sounders were victorious, defeating
Romario, the world's second all-time leading scorer in soccer history (959), and a tough Miami FC team 2-1.
A career of remarkable accomplishment, Romario has won over 18 titles including the 1994 World Cup, a Silver
medal in the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 1989 and 1997 Copas Americas titles with the Brazilian National Team.
A somewhat recent addition to the USL First Division expansion club, Romario is currently tied with Seattle's Cam
Weaver as the league's leading goal scorer with nine goals in 12 games.
ounders Noah Merl guards Romario at a
A soccer icon in any country, here's what we found out about the life and career of Romario.
recent match
Photo credit: George Holland
Romario on the USL
Romario on his life and career
Q:  Whatwell?  out to you as something the USL
stands
does
Q:  Were you approached byalways Miami FC?
Major League Soccer?
Q:  What? is your most memorable soccer experi-
A very well organized league with a strong grass-
A: roots system; closer to what happens anywhere
Or was your destination
ence
A: It has to be the 1994 World Cup.
I was approached by the (then) MetroStars and
A: their (then) GM Alexi Lalas, but I wanted to be in
in the soccer world.
Q:  Dou'you tied with Cam Weaver, yourookie from Q:  Whoup?   your biggest soccer influences grow-
were
check the stats, and do
know that
Miami and Miami FC is the perfect fit for me.
ing
yo re
a
Seattle? Do you remember anything about Weaver
A: My parents and God
Q:  Whatleague?  impressions of the level of play in
are your
from the game in Miami on June 18?
this
Yes, I know he just scored again and now has one
Q:  Besideseyour own, which team is your favorite?
A:
A: Regular... A lot more physical than I thought.
more goal than I do. Yes I remember him; he's a
Favorit soccer player?
very good player, very good shot.
My favorite team is America from Rio de
A: Janeiro. Favorite player is Ronaldinho Gaucho.
Some have said that you chose the USL for the
Q:
What have you noticed that could make the USL
Q:
sole purpose of making your personal goal of
better?
Q:  Why do you love this sport?
1,000 goals. Is that true?
Better referees and a much better schedule (no
A:
Absolutely not true at all, because I don't think I'll
It has given me everything I have; this game is my
back-to-back games; no two games in a row
A: reach that goal.
A: life.
s
against the same team, longer season) .
S