Interview by Al Clark
al@canucks-abroad.com

What better way to kick off the new site than an interview with reigning Gold Cup MVP, CMNT stalwart and current incumbent of the La Liga Team of the Month (Feb, 2008)?

Currently playing for Deportivo de la Coruña in the top flight of Spanish soccer, he is the only Canadian to ever play or score in La Liga. His past clubs include Marseille (FRA), Saarbrucken (GER) and Hannover (GER). The 26 year old has 24 caps for his country and is int he best form of his career heading into the 2010 World CUp Qualifiers.

Julián was gracious enough to answer a few questions on everything from his big break, to his brother's recent decision to represent The Netherlands. Julián's honesty, integrity and passion for the game are every bit as evident in the interview as they are on the field.

Let’s start off with a little pick up game of sorts… '11-A-Side' (eleven questions, eleven answers):

1.Favourite team growing up?
JDG: Ajax of Amsterdam.

2.Favourite player growing up?
JDG: Romario.

3.Favourite player now?
JDG: Makelele, Iniesta .

4.Favourite stadium you?ve been in as either a player or fan?
JDG: Camp Nou.

5.Biggest influence on or off the field?
JDG: My Brother.

6.Player you think you most resemble on the field?
JDG: Something between Edgar Davis and Makelele.

7.Best soccer attribute?
JDG: I read recently that I was amongst the top 15 in steals in La Liga. I guess that would be my best soccer attribute.

8.Best player you?ve played alongside?
JDG: Juan Carlos Valeron.

9.Best player you?ve played against?
JDG: Ronaldinho and Zidane.

10.If you hadn't played soccer you would have been a....?
JDG: A bum and a disappointment to my family.

11.XBOX360, PS3 or Wii?
JDG: PS3.

....and now some more in-depth questions.

Life, Club and Country

CA: You were signed at just 16 by Marseille. How did this come about and what can you tell us about your experiences and initial move from Canada to France?

JDG: Well a friend of mine who met up with a huge fan of Olympique de Marseille in Toronto. He was Francois Glasman. He was able to arrange a tryout for me. I dropped everything that had to do with me in Toronto, school, family and friends and used all of my savings to get a plane ticket to France. The tryout lasted about 2 weeks and they ended up keeping me. It was the best thing that could happen to me after being alive for 16 years. I stayed there for 3 years and it turned out to be the hardest experience of my entire career. Adapting to European culture and being accepted into the world of football as a Canadian.

CA: What do you consider your 'big break'?

JDG: For me I would have to say signing in France and surviving my stay there. During those tough times, I always reminded myself of other Canadians who had more talent than me and had the chance to go overseas ended up coming back home because of culture shock. I didn't want to turn out to be another Canadian who couldn't cut it.

CA: With numerous to choose from, what do you consider to be the highlight of your career so far?

JDG: I would have to say my goal against Madrid. First Canadian to not just play in La Liga but also score and it was against the best in the world.

CA: What are your number 1 objectives, at both the club and international level?

JDG: To always give it my 110% and a good professional who can be a good example to others.

CA: It's been a challenging season for Depor in La Liga, but you seem to be in good form personally. What?s it going to take to pull clear of the drop?

JDG: This season has been one of the most difficult seasons, probably the most difficult, in my career. Its been an experience and I continue to learn a lot as if I just turned pro yesterday. To get us clear of the drop, I think what will help us the second half of the season is getting results at home. That's what's been killing us this entire season. We've lost a lot crucial points at home and that's usually the time to take advantage of points.

CA: You're a self-confessed fan of Toronto FC, how do you see their progress in Season #2? Mo Johnson could certainly use your help up there (!) are we going to see you in the red shirt of your home town
team before you hang up the boots?

JDG: It would be the ideal way of ending my career. Right at home. I've never followed a team like this before. Last time I remember doing so was probably during my childhood years. Its a great feeling to know there's a professional team not just in Canada, but right in my backyard. And the response from the fans is just amazing. I believe after their rookie season, they'll be geared up to compete with the rest of the league and hopefully earn a playoff spot. My favorite player is Edu. Reminds me so much of Nsaliwa.

CA: Who do you think is the best up-and-coming young Canadian player that followers of the full national team may not have heard of yet?

JDG: I would have to say Andrew Ornoch. He already has a cap with the Men's team. It was an unexpected call up for him. He played with my brother for North Scarborough and I used to coach and train him personally. Great kid with a big heart for the game and I definitely see him being apart of the CMNT in the up and coming years.

CA: I know you've been supportive of your Jonathan's choice to represent Holland, as a Brother should be. I think some fans forget how many foreign born players have played for Canada after growing up here (not least all time caps leader, Randy Samuel who was born in T&T but grew up in Edmonton). Many fans would have loved nothing more than to see you both leading the way towards South Africa 2010. Can you tell us your side of it?

JDG: Well I probably know Jono best. And growing up with him, I knew exactly where he directed his mind and soul. You can see it if you had a chance to visit his bedroom back in Scarborough. His walls fill with Orange Jerseys with Kluiverts name on it, an open Dutch dictionary always on his bed, only followed the Eredivisie week in and out(and mind you we didn't have internet in those times so it was soccer saturday or the newspaper), he would cry when Holland would lose a game and all he watched was tapes of Dutch training sessions. He had huge dreams and always aimmed high with his goals. It bought the best out of him and I'm extremly proud of what he's able to produce after being pro for 3 years at the age of 20. It would have been great to play with Jono but deep down inside, its a greater feeling to see him live his childhood dream.

CA: With your Brother's decision now made (though many, including CMNT Coach Dale Mitchell, will hold out hope until Jonathan officially wears the Oranje) who do you think is going to break through into the national team in the upcoming Qualifiers? What do they bring to the side?

JDG: The national team have to strong core of players going into the Qualifiers this summer. When ever we come together, we seem to bring the best out of eachother and that shows a sign of a productive team. Something the MNT has been missing in the last years. And right now, the experienced are the ones who are gonna make the difference in maintaining this momentum and standard we've set since the Gold Cup.

Well, there you have it. We'll have many more interviews from players at all levels of the game, past, present and future stars and prospects alike.

You can follow JDG's progess at his personal website, http://www.enblanquiazul.org/deguzman/news.php (link at the top).

Finally, Julián has agreed to write an on-going blog for Canucks Abroad, for which we're hugely grateful. Check back soon for a personal perspective on the pro game, from everthing ranging from training, to matchday to the national team.