CARSON, Calif. – When Omar Bravo decided to sign the dotted line and join Kansas City as their second-ever Designated Player on August 13 of last year, there was no hesitation.
The Chivas de Guadalajara legend was confident he wanted to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Rafa Márquez, the previous who had had a successful three-year stint with the Chicago Fire and the latter who had signed with the New York Red Bulls just days before Bravo did.
“It’s a choice I made with conviction,” said Bravo in a press conference leading up to Sporting Kansas City’s season opener at Chivas USA. “It’s a challenge they had talked to me about for some time, when I was still with Guadalajara.
“[What appealed to me] was Kansas City’s project as a whole: a new stadium, a young team … with the hunger and desire to be protagonist in the league, and also the level of play in MLS.”
The Mexican international’s first contact with MLS happened back in August of 2003, when Guadalajara became the first international team to take on the MLS All-Stars. He played 15 minutes as a second-half substitute in what ended a 3-1 win for the All-Stars.
[inline_node:327341]His most recent outing against an MLS side was against last year’s expansion team, the Philadelphia Union, on Sept. 1. Bravo also played in that match and nearly scored, but again it was the American side that came out on top, winning 1-0.
Although those were friendlies, Bravo has gone through the entire 2011 MLS preseason with Kansas City, and has gotten even more of a close-up of what awaits him once the regular season starts.
“It’s a league that’s grown … and now that I’m here, I can see it clearly," he said. "It’s a very demanding level, very physical, and with lots of talent."
Bravo admitted he’s still getting a feel for style of play and candidly said he likely won’t be at full stride until Sporting’s third or fourth match.
“I’ve played in preseason games and although they’re demanding, it’s not the same as an official match,” he said. “Week 3 or Week 4 is when I’ll really know at what level I’ll be. I’m going to work hard … and try to be at 100 percent in all aspects, emotionally, physically. I’ve always liked to give the best I’ve got and I’m going to focus on playing and doing my thing.”
Bravo’s first official incursion into MLS will be on Saturday, when he takes on Chivas USA, the sister club of a Chivas de Guadalajara team with whom he’s established himself as a legend, having scored 107 goals to put himself in second place in the team's all-time scoring chart.
The connection is a special one for Bravo, who holds the Chivas brand close to his heart. But the show must go on, he says.
“Truthfully, it’s a meaningful game in my career,” he said about his MLS debut. “My time with Guadalajara is behind me now. I know it’s a [franchise] that gave me everything in my professional career, but my life goes on and my career in soccer, too.
“I respect Guadalajara and I wish anything that carries the Chivas name the best of luck this season – except [on Saturday],” Bravo added with a smile.
