games
His native of Argentina. "I did not understand much about That
the game
of football, BUT I always Had fun, "the Portland Timbers' Striker told FIFA.
com
, That Moting Neighbourhood These games, Where Were GOALS marked off by shirts and denim, FIRST Were His memories of the sport.
For Fernandez, WHO GREW INTO A notable professional with a lethal eye for goal, the game is about working diligently in the present and building off the foundation of His Past. Before landing in Portland, in the United States' rain-drenched northwest, he honed craft at His Six clubs in Argentina and Mexico. But When asked about His development as a player, His movement and hard Through the rigors of the professional game Lessons, His focus falls firmly on His time at the River Plate academy.
"I arrived there in 1997; I was 15 and I Had the dream, "he said, thinking back to When torque That Became something else entirely football. "The RESPONSIBILITY of wearing the River shirt and the idea of greatness motivated me. The club-frame the foundation for my Abilities. I learned what football is all about: to be an intelligent player, to not only run and have pace, BUT to pass, and to have the chemistry and camaraderie with your team-mates, "he added, a hint of nostalgia in His voice. "Looking back on my career, Those Were crucial years."
Wandering toward Estudiantes, glory
Affectionately known as La Gata (the cat), the 30-year-old Fernandez comes across as a man generous with His time and genial in manner. His Relaxed Attitude has served him well; after leaving River, Gaston bounced to four clubs in the space of five years. He won a Clausura title with San Lorenzo in 2007 and Travelled Abroad for spells with Tigres and Monterrey in Mexico. This would be a career-challenging journey for most, BUT he Took it in stride.
When he returned to Argentina to play for Estudiantes in 2010, Fernandez landed in the right place at the right time. Alejandro Sabella, Argentina WHO Took to the FIFA World Cup ™ Final in Brazil this summer, frame in charge at the club and he recognised the forward's Abilities. The respect Both ways worked, too. Sabella Fernandez calls "the trainer That got the best out of me."
In His FIRST season at Estudiantes, the club reached the final of the prestigious Copa Libertadores Against Cruzeiro. Down a goal with 40 minutes to go in the Second-leg, Fernandez immediately turned His feline, eyes toward opportunistic goal. A curled the ball from Juan Sebastian Veron released down the wing Christian Cellay and La Gata sprinted, hungrily, to the back post. He prodded home the oddly bouncing ball at just the right time.
"It was unforgettable," he Remembered. "When you start playing the game, moments like that Waseem so far away. I'll remember Them far past my playing days. "Fernandez has made a habit of scoring GOALS at opportune moments These, late in matches and in a high-pressure tuations When Lesser players shrink. "I feel fortunate. I do not know IF it's just the luck of the draw or My Own ingenuity, "he said, with a refreshing sense of wonder. "I can not wait for more moments like These with the Timbers," he added, giving as much focus and energy to his American club he did as a young striver In His native country.
Estudiantes ent on to win the Copa Libertadores, completing a spectacular turnaround to hoist Their FIRST Continental Crown in almost 40 years. When he lifted the trophy, the biggest in South America, Fernandez Said he "thought of my wife, my kid, my mother, my sister, my dad, who's long I nce passed ... I would have liked to share That torque with him." It becomes clear That, for Fernandez, the beginning is never far away.
A new shore in Portland
La Gata's Arrival in Portland this season made him the FOURTH Argentinian side on a largely devoid of big names. The Teams' hopes rest on Their shoulders, and They have done an excellent job so far, winning the Western Conference last Term to REACH the post-season play-offs.
This year has not gone quite so well, BUT Portland can still qualify for the play-offs with a strong run down the stretch. And Fernandez knows he and His team-mates will have to lift Their performances. "Very few points the best and worst SEPARATE Teams in the table."
When the possibility of Bringing silverware home to Portland, with a colorful fan-base and known as Soccer City, Fernandez's voice perks up. "That's a hope, a wish, and a goal," he said. "My fellow foreigners' and I, coming from the outside, Embrace the lore of the club. They've Had a history of winning titles [in the now defunct ASL and the USL], and we hope to bring an MLS championship here for the fans. "
It is easy to imagine Fernandez as a child, back on the AVENUE Where he GREW up in Argentina, kicking the ball, smiling, Relaxed. There are expectation now, and paychecks, and the crowd Wonders "will he deliver?" La Gata answers, always, in Those Moments When the ball bounces in the penalty area. He reacts, the world freezes. He scores. It is this split and second, the pause Before the joy and the eruption of the fans, that define him.
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