Staring across an open space before him on Monday, Chivas USA forward Alecko Eskandarian saw an imposing figure.
Was it a muscle-bound central defender bent on upending the one-time MLS Cup Most Valuable Player? Perhaps a burly goalkeeper with command of the goal?
Hardly.
"I have a fear of heights," Eskandarian confessed as he stared across Paradise Bay at Disney's California Adventure. "I don't think I'm going to be riding too many roller coasters. ... I get scared looking down a high staircase. There's no way I could make it on a roller coaster."
Eskandarian and the rest of his Chivas USA teammates took in a day at Disney's California Adventure nonetheless. The club took its team picture at the famed theme park on Monday,and even took a ride on a roller coaster as a team.
Monday's outing marked the third consecutive year the Red-and-White has held a team function at one of the Disneyland Resort parks. In 2006, Chivas USA took its team picture in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland while a year ago the club were invited guests at Disneyland and paraded down Main Street U.S.A.
The relationship between Chivas USA and the Disneyland Resort is a strong and beneficial one for both sides, a resort spokesperson said.
"We're very happy to have this partnership with Chivas USA," said Norma Perez, spokesperson for the Disneyland Resort. "It really fits in together. We're involved very much in the community, as well as Chivas USA. ... For us to be partnered with Chivas USA for the third year is a great experience."
On Monday, Chivas USA set up shop at Golden State Park in the Paradise Pier section of Disney's California Adventure. With the enormous Sun Wheel and the winding California Screamin' roller coaster as the backdrop, players, coaches and staff posed for pictures.
The park also brought out esteemed guests for the pictures as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy interacted with the players and smiled for the cameras as well.
Afterward, the team went on the California Screamin' roller coaster and had lunch at the Golden Vine Winery.
For Raphael Wicky, the experience was different and perhaps more rewarding than the ones he had in Europe.
"Normally you are doing your photo shoot in the stadium," said Wicky, a former Werder Bremen and Hamburg standout. "This is really something different ... and exciting."
Playing with Chivas USA has advantages that go beyond the playing field. Even players who have spent their entire careers in Major League Soccer had not experienced such an outing.
"I definitely haven't had the chance to do stuff like this with other teams I've been on," said Eskandarian, a veteran of D.C. United, Toronto FC and Real Salt Lake. "It's pretty cool. I'm excited to see how the pictures turn out."
While the club has made multiple trips to the Disneyland Resort the past three years, each trip continues to captivate the attention of Chivas USA veterans.
"Like they say, it's the happiest place on Earth," goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. "There are times when you wake up in the morning and you have to do team functions that can be a little stressful but at the same time being able to come out here and do stuff like this, this is fun."
Another added bonus, aside from the opportunity to take in a pair of world-renowned theme parks, was the chance to associate with their teammates in a setting outside of soccer. Players spend plenty of time throughout the week with one another but most of it involves fitness and tactics and drills.
Such team-bonding experiences as Monday's are also an added bonus.
"We're a pretty close-knit group as it is already ... and we all get along great," Eskandarian said. "Things like this is just fun for us. We all enjoy hanging out with each other and so this is just another opportunity for us to get together."
Ultimately, though, what made the outing to Disney's California Adventure most rewarding was the opportunity to mingle with the public.
"Any time we can go out in the community and interact with fans is a good time," Guzan said.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
