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Quick Kicks: Chivas USA's Maykel Galindo
Goal.com Quick Kicks returns with an exclusive interview - Chivas USA's Cuban striker Maykel Galindo takes on the core questions.
Sep 17, 2009 6:03:43 PM
In 2005 Maykel Galindo walked out of the hotel in Seattle and into an uncertain future. He defected to the USA and worked his way up the soccer ladder, finally landing with Chivas USA.
Galindo was the first of a wave of Cuban soccer players to the U.S., and he remains one of the most successful, despite struggling with injuries at times.
Goal.com's Zac Lee Rigg caught up to the speedy striker for an exclusive interview, as Galindo took on the Quick Kicks questions.
Nickname: Pantera. Before, everybody would say "El Angelito" (The Little Angel), but right now, it's Pantera. A pantera is like a panther - so fast.
Club Supported: Right now, Chivas USA - before, Seattle Sounders.
Strengths: Well, I'm fast, and I can change the rhythm of a game - that's what I have. But I work hard on the technical aspects of the game, because if you're fast, but you don't have the other aspects, then things don't turn out well for you.
Weaknesses: I never score goals on headers.
Soccer Heroes: Ronaldo - from Brazil, not Ronaldo from Madrid - the one who is at Madrid now, I mean.
Galindo was the first of a wave of Cuban soccer players to the U.S., and he remains one of the most successful, despite struggling with injuries at times.
Goal.com's Zac Lee Rigg caught up to the speedy striker for an exclusive interview, as Galindo took on the Quick Kicks questions.
Nickname: Pantera. Before, everybody would say "El Angelito" (The Little Angel), but right now, it's Pantera. A pantera is like a panther - so fast.
Club Supported: Right now, Chivas USA - before, Seattle Sounders.
Strengths: Well, I'm fast, and I can change the rhythm of a game - that's what I have. But I work hard on the technical aspects of the game, because if you're fast, but you don't have the other aspects, then things don't turn out well for you.
Weaknesses: I never score goals on headers.
Soccer Heroes: Ronaldo - from Brazil, not Ronaldo from Madrid - the one who is at Madrid now, I mean.
 Maykel Galindo | The panther was once a little angel |
Career Highlight: Two years ago, when I was new to MLS, when we
played against the Galaxy and I scored two goals. I think that was my
best career moment so far.
Views on MLS: It has a great future. I think it's growing with better and better players. Little by little, it's improving.
Biggest Influence: My grandmother. She's still in Cuba and I haven't seen her for a year, but she's by biggest influence.
Tunes on the iPod: I love salsa, so I have a lot of those songs. Hip-hop reggaeton music, too.
Dream Car: A Bentley
Favorite Movies: Scarface
Something We Don't Know About You: People think I'm going out with different girls, but I'm single
In Five Years: I'd like to still live in LA, or maybe Seattle, but definitely still stay in the United States.
Goal.com
Quick Kicks runs every other week at Goal.com
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page
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