Steady, improving Rojas gives Mustangs a backline anchor
As the Major Arena Soccer League playoffs begin this week without the Chicago Mustangs, the suburban soccer club can take comfort in knowing some of its core pieces have taken hold.
When defender Edwin Rojas finished his second season with the fifth-year Chicago franchise on March 5, he became one of three Mustangs to have played in every game this season. Over the past two seasons, Rojas trails only midfielder Efrain "Wilo" Martinez and keeper Jesus Flores in appearances.
"Edwin has developed into the player we thought he could become when we saw him at tryouts," Chicago coach Armando Gamboa said. "His presence in the back has given us another reliable defender this year. We hope to continue to see him grow as a player with the Chicago Mustangs."
Rojas, a native of Mexico, joined Schaumburg native Ephraim Beard as the top scorers among defenders with 14 points.
As Rojas settled into his role with the club, he made the decision to move his wife and daughter here three months ago. That, insists his coach, correlated with him becoming the staple of the Mustang back line.
"I immediately saw his joy on the field this year with his family here," Gamboa says. "He plays with a lighter touch and has more confidence."
Rojas, 27, acknowledges that living with his family has elevated his spirits and his soccer game.
"I'm thankful to be able to bring (my wife and daughter) here," Rojas says. "My family being here helps me play better, I don't have to worry about what they are doing or how they are doing."
On the field, the difference between year one when his family was in Mexico, and year two with his family in the stands, has been clear. He has shown the pace in the back to defend any forward or winger in the league. He has also seen an uptick in his ability to get forward, more than doubling his offensive contributes, going from 2 goals and 1 assist last season to 5 goals and 9 assists this season. His output helped Rojas get named to the MASL Team of the Week in week eight.
For Rojas, his journey to America began when he met defender Luis "Peewee" Ortega playing in local leagues in Chicago. After Peewee introduced him to the Mustangs, Rojas moved to the United States in July 2015. He said playing pro soccer with the Mustangs is a huge opportunity compared to the low employment and low income in Mexico.
The opportunity, however, came with a language barrier, and Rojas currently is taking English courses to help him adjust to life here. The Mustangs have a heavy Latino influx with 15 players with roots to Latin America, including six players that split their time playing in Mexico and the United States.
"It always good to be able to communicate with everyone in the same language, but in the field it is not all verbal," Rojas says. "It's a plus having players who speak Spanish. The style of play they bring is different from Americans. My game is more technical and less physical."
Although the Mustangs missed the playoffs, they closed the season with a win over playoff-bound Milwaukee, securing a winning record (11-9). Leading scorer Taylor Bond finished the year with a career-high 40 goals and 14 assists to lead the team.