A Spanish coach tells how football is in the US

Alexis Urueña (Madrid, 1990) is one of the many Spaniards who pack their bags and undertake the adventure of teaching Spanish football far from our borders. After playing for years in various Spanish teams (Poli Ejido, San Sebastián de los Reyes), Urueña decided to start his teaching career. With the UEFA A certificate obtained, he began his adventure in the United States, specifically in Florida. Alexis is developing his own soccer training and scouting program whose main objective is to offer all the tools to players who want to bet firmly on being professional soccer players. In this interview he tells how the situation is currently in the United States

How did you get to the US? In what city do you live? What do you do there?

I arrived in August 2017, to be part of the LaLiga project through the Soccer Academy at Disney, Orlando, Florida. I am currently a soccer coach and have my own soccer player development company, Marlex International.

How has the coronavirus been lived there?

It has been a hard and strange situation for everyone and obviously especially for us here in Orlando, where we had to cancel several of our practices for a few weeks due to the state of alarm that was currently settling in our state. Our day to day is like in any country affected by COVID-19, here in Orlando the use of masks is mandatory and fear has returned a little to society. From time to time and depending on the infected, different measures are taken, we are currently in phase two, there are many shops and bars that have closed again. The situation we are currently experiencing is one of uncertainty and respect for this virus. Most of the people try to lead a normal life but with respect for the current situation in the entire world.

When is MLS expected to resume? What protocols will be followed?

A tournament is being played at Disney involving MLS teams. This tournament is held at the ESPN complex in Orlando, where I have had the opportunity to train for more than two years and it is one of the best sports complexes in the world with more than 25 soccer fields in spectacular conditions, this complex belongs to Disney, as far as i know the security measures will be of high quality. The security measures that are being taken go a bit according to the new security regulations, I repeat, the ESPN complex is sure that it is prepared to host an event like this.

Outside the coronavirus there is talk of Bale's winks to the MLS. Do you see him there?

Regarding the comments about Bale, in my humble opinion, I think that he is a fantastic player with some differential abilities and that I think he still has a few years to come, it is true that soccer in the USA wants to grow, but the reality is that European stars to this day continue to see the American League as a secondary option in their decisions. I am fully confident that this can change and that this sport will be given a strong boost, but I believe that this is not the case yet.

What is the average level of the MLS compared to Spain? First second?

MLS is far from any top-tier league in Europe and South America today. They have the best infrastructures in the world, the best possible technologies, but in terms of football they are still a long way off, I think many things could be improved. That is why, seeing this lack, I decided to contribute my grain of sand with my soccer sports project. That said, the level would be compared to an intermediate level between 2nd division and 2nd B, since there are good teams and players that would position them in Second and even First division due to technical qualities, but the level of the teams in general does not give them exposure to 100 % and show up to play for a great European team.