After moving to Houston about a year ago, Francisco Navas Cobo has been a whirlwind.
He signed with the Houston Dynamo, made his debut, and received several call-ups from the United States U-20 national team. He was with the American side that won last month’s Milk Cup in Northern Ireland.
MLSsoccer.com caught up with the young midfielder before he joined the U-20s for a tournament in Peru ahead of qualifying for the 2011 U-20 World Cup.
MLSSoccer.com: What does the tournament in Peru mean for you and your development?
Navas Cobo: It’s good to be called up again, and to improve and prove that I’m capable of playing for the national team.
MLSSoccer.com: The U.S. U-20 team for Peru is comprised of all professionals. How important is that to the development of youth players such as yourself?
Navas Cobo: It’s great [in the camps] to be around all professionals. It’s a good environment to be around other young professionals, and it is hard because the other players are all really good. It probably makes it easier for the coach, because we are all professionals.
MLSSoccer.com: What will this tournament mean for the upcoming U-20 World Cup qualifying?
Navas Cobo: To get the team together and to start building a team and working together, it will be good for next year to hopefully qualify for the World Cup.
MLSSoccer.com: Obviously you haven’t gotten a ton of playing time with the first team for Houston. How do you think you are developing here with the Dynamo?
Navas Cobo: Yesterday was the one-year [anniversary] of when I got [to Houston]. Great things have happened for me. I’ve been here training with the professionals and getting called up with the national team — what else can I ask for? I know I’m not getting much playing time, but I’ll be patient, work hard, and day by day build. Whenever they give me the chance, I’ll be ready.
Dwain Capodice is a contributor to MLSsoccer.com. Questions or Comments can be sent via email to dwaincapodice@gmail.com.
