In honor of Hispanic Heritage month, which runs from September 15-October 15, FCDallas.com will be running a weekly series over the next five weeks featuring FC Dallas players from five different countries who are proud to celebrate their Hispanic Heritage. Our second story in the series features Home Grown defender Moises Hernandez, whose Guatemalan roots manifest themselves through family and food.
Read the previous Hispanic Heritage feature: Marvin Chavez and Honduras
FRISCO, Texas - Use the words ‘FC Dallas’ and ‘Guatemala’ in the same sentence and one name usually comes to mind: Carlos “El Pescadito” Ruiz.
The 32-year-old Guatemalan stole Dallas fans' hearts during his three-year, 68-game career at Pizza Hut Park, tallying 31 goals and drawing people closer to the team.
Among the fans watching his goal-scoring prowess was a young Guatemalan-Texan named
Moises Hernandez
, who would go on to graduate from the FC Dallas Academy to the senior squad.
“He was actually one of the main reasons that I first loved FC Dallas,” said Hernandez from outside the locker room after a recent training session. “I used to have a Carlos Ruiz jersey that my dad bought me.”
Born in Dallas to a Guatemalan father, Hernandez – a defender – took a liking to the striker Ruiz even though they played different positions.
Early this season – Hernandez’s first year of eligibility with the senior team– the 19-year-old had the opportunity to meet Ruiz for the first time when FC Dallas played Ruiz’s former MLS side, the Philadelphia Union. Hernandez was included on the 18-man game day roster.
PHOTOS: Moises Hernandez gallery
“I was on the bench that game. I spoke with him and said, ‘Hi,’ and that’s it,’” laughed Hernandez.
Contrary to Ruiz, who was born and raised in Guatemala City, Hernandez has spent his whole life in the United States.
Born to a mother whose parents are of Mexican descent and a Guatemalan father who moved to the United States to find work, Hernandez admittedly has only visited Guatemala four times in his life.
But his love for the country is unquestionable.
“It’s like my second home,” he said. “To me it’s a beautiful country and I’ve been there before and I have all my family from my dad’s side. I love Guatemala a lot.”
Hernandez’s most recent visit may also be the most memorable one in his young life.
In March, the left back participated in the U-20’s CONCACAF World Cup qualifying as a member of the U.S. side trying to earn a spot in this summer’s World Cup.
Ironically, the opponent that stood between them and qualification was none other than Guatemala.
Though the United States squad ultimately lost the match (played in Guatemala) 2-1, Hernandez vividly recalls the scene.
“When we lost to the U-20s the fans were crazy,” he remembered. “They were just going crazy getting excited because they were the first [Guatemalan] team ever to qualify for the World Cup at any level… There were 30,000 fans there just screaming. The love they have for their country and for the game is unbelievable.”
Hernandez said his family has taught him much about his country of descent.
He speaks highly of the Guatemalan tamales that his aunt makes on a regular basis when the whole family gathers for a meal.
“It’s my favorite food from Guatemala,” he explained. “They’re not small, they’re big and I think they have banana leaf. They’re just like three times bigger than a Mexican tamale. I just love them.”
And like Marvin Chavez’s Honduras, soccer rules all in Guatemala.
The population of 14.3 million are always playing soccer on a variety of fields including indoor soccer, short-sided teams on smaller fields, and the famous footy-style called futsal.
“They have a lot of little fields with 4v4 and two goalies,” Hernandez explained. “It’s called ‘futbolito rapido’ over there. They play that a lot over there on the streets and there are soccer fields everywhere.”
And for those watching the professional progression of Hernandez – who has yet to see time on the field with the first team this year – his allegiances still lay in the country that has made him the person he is today.
“I was born here in the United States in Dallas,” he said. “This is the country that gave me everything, so my heart for now is with the USA.”
But wherever his career goes, Hernandez’s Guatemalan roots will still follow – not to mention those tamales.
Check back on FCDallas.com every Thursday during Hispanic Heritage month to learn more about what Hispanic Heritage means to all of your favorite FC Dallas players.
