The Earthquakes are in the midst of a now seven-game unbeaten streak, what have the Quakes been doing so well recently?
Ronald Cerritos: "Everyone has just been playing really well, because of that we have been getting good results, and that just gives everyone lots of confidence. Everyone wants to play, and we are all on the same page. You can really see that out there right now, everyone is in tune with one another and just continuing to work hard. When you do that, that gives you confidence, and then when the team has more confidence, everyone just keeps playing better."
Can you describe how you saw the play develop on the game-winning goal on Saturday against the Columbus Crew?
RC: "It all started with a great touch from Alejandro [Moreno] to Ricardo [Clark]. Ricardo made a great run and I knew when Ricardo was carrying the ball into the box that he was going to be looking for me, so I wanted to get open. I had a little bit of luck too, because I was going to make a run to the second post, because I didn't think he saw me where I was. I was about to run there, but then I decided to hang back and wait for the ball. It is lucky just because you have to make that decision in a few seconds. But then, Ricardo played me a perfect ball to my feet that I was able to finish."
The game-winning goal was your 70th career MLS goal, and then your assist on Saturday's first goal was your 44th in a San Jose uniform, tying you with Richard Mulrooney for first in career team assists. How does it feel to be the club's all-time goal-scoring leader and assist leader?
RC: "To be honest, I didn't know that about the assists until just now. It is a great honor. When I look back at that, I am really happy with those numbers, especially because it is with this team. That means I have been in this league a long time, nine years in MLS and most of them with San Jose, so it is a big thing for me to be able to contribute to this team that has given so much to me. There are so many people that I have to thank for those numbers, so many people, especially coaches and players that have been here. I need to remember and thank so many players, guys like Eddie Lewis, Martin Vasquez, Mauricio Wright, Mauricio Solis, and Eric Wynalda. There are so many more guys, Richard Mulrooney, Landon Donovan. To have numbers like that, it really is a team thing. I don't know how long I will be playing, but I hope to add to those numbers for this team, I feel good right now and I just hope to be able to continue playing the way I have been."
Already in 2005, you have scored five goals for the Earthquakes, which is exactly half the total you scored in the past three seasons. What has been a difference for you this season?
RC: "A big thing is that I am feeling completely healthy now. That is the key, for any athlete, if you are healthy and feeling good, then obviously you are going to produce more and score goals. I am also playing with more confidence now, and that is because I am really getting the opportunity to play and show what I can do. As a player, you need to get that opportunity and confidence from the coaches like I have now, and when you get the opportunity, you need to take advantage of that."
On Friday, July 15 you will return to R.F.K. Stadium to play DC United for the first time since leaving the club and re-joining the Earthquakes. What are your emotions heading into that match?
RC: "Obviously, that was the last team I was with before coming here, so I know the team, I know the players, I know the staff. As a player, I think any player who gets to go against a former team, it means a little bit more. For me it will mean more to play against some of those players that I know. But, I just want to win. I don't care if I score, I don't care how we do it, I just want to win. So, to do that, I need to approach the game just like it is any other one."
