What are your thoughts on returning to San Jose to play with the Earthquakes?
Kelly Gray: "It is just kind of a dream come true. I wasn't happy in Chicago. I wasn't playing too much, so to get out of there and come here, I couldn't come to a better place. The guys are so great and so nice here and the coaches are welcoming. It is perfect. A dream come true."
How many tickets did you have to get for family and friends for your first Earthquakes game on June 18?
KG: "They just gave me whatever tickets were left over, like 20 or something. I just gave them to my mom and told her to handle it."
Can you talk about your performance against Real Salt Lake and scoring a goal in your first game for the Quakes?
KG: "I came in here just trying to have a good performance for my debut. It just happened to be that Ronald [Cerritos] played me an unbelievable ball, and I had a good touch and a good shot. It just continues the dream that I'm in right now."
Were you surprised when you were traded from Chicago to your hometown of San Jose?
KG: "I wasn't too surprised by it. It is something that has almost happened a few times in the past. San Jose expressed interest and it just seemed like a much better fit for me here than in Chicago. It was something that I definitely wanted and I am much happier here."
What happened in Chicago?
KG: "I just fell out of favor, that is what it was. I started the season pretty well I thought. I played every minute in the first five games, and after that nothing. It was just the coach's decision."
Growing up in San Jose, were you a fan of the Earthquakes?
KG: "Well, Paul Bravo [former Earthquakes player] was one of my coaches growing up, him and Dave Gold [former Earthquakes goalkeepers coach]. I was a huge fan back at the beginning, starting with the San Francisco Blackhawks. I used to go to their games all the time. Then once MLS started, I was here every weekend, every game."
What do you think the atmosphere will be like at Spartan Stadium when Landon Donovan returns and the Galaxy come to town on Saturday?
KG: "Yeah, I don't think anyone is really thinking about it like that on our team. We are all trying to look at it as another game. L.A. lost and tied recently, so if we can beat them this week, that is making up some quick points on them."
