Interview to Michael Rocha

Michael Rocha is the General Manager of Academica Soccer Club. The team based in Turlock, California, play on the Golden Gate Conference of National Premier League Soccer. The target for this season is to win the championship. Although the Board Members speak Portuguese, there isn´t relations with Academica de Coimbra. In this interview, Michael Rocha, explains how soccer has developed in the United States

What are the targets of Academica SC for the next season on NPSL?

Our goal for next year is to win our conference (Golden Gate Conference) and make a deep play off run.

Do you think the competition is more balanced every year?

We play in a conference that at any point any one can beat anyone. It is a very well balanced conference and playoffs only get more competitive.

Your main goal is to reach Major League Soccer or maintain the club on the amateur level?

Unfortunately, US Soccer operates in a closed system. This means there’s no promotion or relegation. With that, the furthest we can go being crowned League Champions. We are able to participate in the US Open Cup though, which is our version of the Taça De Portugal.

Which were the main developments of the soccer in United States? On the professional level...

Over the last couple of years, the MLS and USL (United Soccer League, 2nd Division) have been improving in terms of players and coaches. This also helps with attendance as more people are attending matches more than ever. Soccer is growing tremendously in the US.

What is necessary to improve?

Pay to play is something that’s been discussed as a big issue in the development of US Soccer players. Some of our best athletes gravitate away from soccer as it is too expensive to play competitive soccer here in the states. Instead, they gravitate towards American Football or Basketball.

There is the same inbalance between amateur and professional soccer that happens in Europe?

Not as drastic, but there is. As there years go on, the inbalance I believe will only get larger with the development of our top leagues and those teams attracting well known talent. 

What are the connections of Academica SC with Coimbra and the main club of the city?

We unfortunately don’t have a connection with Academica de Coimbra. We would like to establish some sort of relationship though.

How is the relationship between Academica SC and the portuguese community in Turlock?

We have a very strong Portuguese influence in our club still to date. All our Board members and coaches are Portuguese Immigrants or Sons of Portuguese Immigrants. We have some players as well that are of Portuguese decent currently playing for the first team.