This is the latest installment of We Are TFC. Every week, we’ll sit down with one of the Reds and help you get to know them a little bit better, on and off the field. This week, Devang Desai chats with Marky Delgado. TFC acquired the California native in the 2014 dispersal draft. We hope you’ll enjoy this series and let us know which TFC players you’d like to see profiled in the future.
Taking a look at your phone – what picture means the most to you and why?
DELGADO: There’s a lot of photos of my girlfriend and I when we first met and a lot of photos from the beginning of my career. It's been a big change.
How much has she helped you become the person you are today?
DELGADO: She’s helped a lot. There’s always down times in your professional career and she’s always been there.
Favourite soccer player and why?
DELGADO: Andres Iniesta because he doesn’t complicate the game. He plays it simple and he makes a big difference on the field.
Who is the funniest player on the team?
DELGADO: Funniest player on the team… there’s Danny Lovitz, there’s Nick Hagglund. There’s a lot of comedians and characters on the team.
How would people close to you describe you in one word?
DELGADO: Calm, down to earth, very focused in what I do and just determined to become better.
Did you always know you wanted to be a soccer player?
DELGADO: Always. Always. Ever since I started watching the game, started watching my brothers play. I just knew I wanted achieve something really high in this sport.
Do you remember your first memory watching on TV or maybe at the stadium in LA?
DELGADO: Yeah, I mean I have memories of going to LA Galaxy games back in the days with my Sunday league club and with my dad, so that was always fun.
What’s your favourite pastime?
DELGADO: Just relaxing, enjoying the off time and enjoying the sun while it’s out with my girlfriend. Just enjoy life.
How much do you enjoy the summer as opposed to the winter in Toronto these days?
DELGADO: Oh yeah, the winter is miserable so I’m loving the sun right now [laughs].
What do you do in the off-season, do you go back home or hang with family?
DELGADO: Yeah, go back home. Trying to plan a vacation to enjoy the off time with my girlfriend and hopefully see some family as well.
Any quirks, superstitions you do before the game?
DELGADO: Just the Father, Son, Holy Spirit before the game to always stay protected.
What about your teammates, strangest things you’ve seen the guys do/their habits?
DELGADO: Strangest things? I don’t know. If there is, I don’t want to call them out [laughs].
Tsubasa won’t touch the ball before warmups, I’ve heard that.
DELGADO: Really? Ah, I didn't know about that.
Favourite movie?
DELGADO: I’m a big fan of Disney movies. I’m a child at heart so I’m a big fan.
Favourite music artist?
DELGADO: I don’t know, I have a lot of favourite artists but I don’t have one particular top favourite artist.
What are you currently listening to?
DELGADO: At the moment, Reggaeton and Latin stuff.
If you weren’t a soccer player, what would you be doing?
DELGADO: I honestly don’t know. My whole life I was training to be a soccer player.
Your favourite moment with TFC so far?
DELGADO: When I dinged in my first home goal against Philly! It was just like bam! Banger. I didn’t know what to do, I just went with the moment and jumped in the air.
I remember the goal against NYCFC - that crazy 4-4 game
DELGADO: Yeah, that was wicked as well.
Do you remember your celebration for that? That was one of my favourites.
DELGADO: No I don’t…
You picked up Seba…
DELGADO: Oh yeah! I was like man... this guy, he’s crazy. He got through three people in the corner and somehow he got it to me. It was awesome.
When I say Toronto, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?
DELGADO: Drake.
Drake. Okay. Fan? Not a fan?
DELGADO: Yeah I’m a fan.
Who are your heroes?
DELGADO: Heroes? Parents. You know, they have always been my idols. I always wanted to be someone they can later look up in life and they’ll think "I’m proud of him." I never wanted to fail them or disappoint them so I always strive for greatness to represent the last name ‘Delgado’.
I’ve asked this to the other guys, about how much their parents have helped them get to this place, how much did your parents help you, even just get into the game?
DELGADO: Tons. Tons. They helped me tons. I mean the long trips, the tournaments in San Diego, which is like a two hour/one-and-a-half-hour drive to training when they just got off work, were really tired and they still had to take me. Then from those long trips to flights to different states and then at times we’d miss our flights so those are really hard times for them but through all the ups and downs, they have always been there for me so I can never thank them enough.
Your ultimate goal in life?
DELGADO: Ultimate goal in life? Just to be able to look back on my career and say that I gave all I had.I want to look back and be proud of what I did and what I accomplished.
Let us know who you would like to see featured in the next We Are TFC!
