Get to know… Rafael Garcia

Raul Magana

Date of birth: Dec. 19, 1988

Place of birth: Granada Hills, CA

Height: 5’6”

Experience: RS Junior

2009-10 Season Stats: Team leader with 49 shots, six assists and 10 points

Position: Midfielder

Major: Criminology

FAVORITES

Food: Mexican

Music: Classic rock

Movie: “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”

Song: “Since I’ve Been Loving You” by Led Zeppelin

Athlete: Lionel Messi from FC Barcelona

Book: Not a big fan

LIFE

Greatest Difficulty: “Recovering from an ACL tear injury two years ago.”

Greatest Goal Accomplishment: “Being ranked No. 1 nationally while in high school when I played for Canoga Park.”

Most Embarrassing Moment: “While playing for a club team, someone from the other team pulled my shorts down and they fell to my ankles, but I kept running and I almost tripped.”

Hobbies: “Watch movies, listen to music, eating and I love to sleep.”

SOCCER

Best part of my game: Leadership

Part of my game that needs improvement: “Being focused for 90 minutes and stop talking so much to the refs.”

Best player I’ve played against so far: David Beckham

Player I pattern my game after: Andres Iniesta from FC Barcelona

Pre-game rituals: Praying

Superstitions: “Before a game I always make sure I walk onto the field with my right foot first, even when I get out of bed.”

GOALS

Team: “Have fun and enjoy the game.”

Individual: “Start building to prepare for next season.”

EXTRAS

My first sports: “Soccer. I’ve never touched another ball.”

Other sports I played while growing up: “Football with friends.”

When I started playing soccer: “When I was four years old. I didn’t know what I was doing, I just knew I was having fun.”

What I do to stay in shape during the offseason: “Run and lift weights. I struggle because I can gain weight fast.”

Person I would like to meet: Denzel Washington