Latest news with #JorgeCampos
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fullerton soccer's Antonio Campos, son of star Jorge Campos, leans on family after fire
Antonio Campos carries the blood of his legendary father, former Galaxy and Mexican national team goalkeeper Jorge Campos. Perhaps more important, he carries his family's resilience after they worked to recover from the loss of their home in the Palisades fire. During Antonio Campos' first season with the Cal State Fullerton soccer team, he seeks to write his own story and help his team win. 'Just being in college is a success. I feel blessed,' said Antonio, who is studying business while fighting for minutes as a Division I goalkeeper. He was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the Pacific Palisades area, the second son of Jorge Campos and Canadian Marcy Raston. His sisters chose to focus on volleyball: Andrea, the eldest, recently signed with a professional club in France after a successful college career. Antonio, on the other hand, was torn between basketball and soccer. At Loyola High, he played point guard, although his height, at 6 feet, limited his minutes. 'Michael Jordan inspired me to play several sports,' said Antonio, who also played baseball and volleyball. Training sessions with his father during the COVID-19 pandemic led Antonio to eventually focus on soccer and the goalkeeper position. 'With my dad, everything is intense. Lots of training on the beach, reflexes, technique, cutting crosses. Things he did better than anyone else,' said Antonio, who does not shy away from his surname but does not want it to define him. 'I don't feel pressure. I prefer to teach the values my father instilled in me,' Antonio said. He is part of the first generation in his family to attend college in the U.S. and he knows that his path extends beyond soccer. In Mexico, Antonio also didn't feel he had much of a future, as his own father, Jorge, criticized goalkeeper trainers in that country last year. 'It's incredible that after 30 years, 40 years, we don't have a modern goalkeeper, of that style, like Manuel Neuer, Ter Stegen,' Jorge said in a recent interview with ESPN. Antonio was drawn to Cal State Fullerton as more than just a place to improve his soccer skills. The team's philosophy, focused on service, ambition and personal development, resonated with him and his family. 'We emphasize being good people. If you go far, you'll be better socially and culturally,' explained George Kuntz, the Titans' veteran coach. Read more: L.A. has never experienced loss on this scale. Measuring progress six months after the fires is hard and painful Antonio had had doubts about playing college soccer. 'I didn't want to play at the university level because first-year goalkeepers hardly ever play,' he said. However, he was assured that everyone would have real opportunities if they earned them through training. Between the posts, he will have to fight for minutes against quality teammates Eoin Kennedy, Asger Hemmer and Emanuel Padilla. Fullerton opens the regular season on Thursday at Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Okla. 'I want to play, yes, but I also want my teammates to improve. It's not just about me,' Antonio said. In 2024, the Titans stood out for their offensive prowess, but they also ranked among the worst teams in the country in goals conceded. That's why Fullerton reinforced its defense with four goalkeepers on the roster. Antonio is emerging as one of the promising players, with an athletic profile and an ambitious personality that has impressed the coaching staff. Read more: Miller Moss gives back to Palisades community by hosting youth football camp 'He's brave, has good technique and is improving tactically,' Kuntz said. Earlier this year, Antonio's focus was pulled away from soccer by a family emergency. In January, the Campos family home was one of more than 6,800 destroyed by the Palisades fire. 'We lost everything. I couldn't get anything out,' said Antonio, who still gets emotional while talking about his family's loss. That day, he thought about going home, but he decided to go to soccer training after receiving a message from a friend. The change of plans kept him safe. Antonio was accustomed to evacuations and didn't worry about the nearby fires. But after learning that his home had burned down, the loss was both material and emotional. Read more: WORLD CUP '94: 4 Days and Counting : Color Him Entertaining : The Outlandish Style of Goalkeeper Jorge Campos Adds Flair to the Game 'My mom was devastated. It was her first home in this country,' said Antonio, who highlighted his father's strength. 'What surprised me was seeing my dad laughing and joking the next day. I never saw him cry. He set an example for us." Among the lost items, Antonio regrets he could not save a necklace that his uncle gave him before he died. 'He supported me when I quit basketball. He told me I was going to be a professional. It hurt me to lose that,' Antonio said. However, the fire also brought the family closer together. 'The most important thing for me was that my family was safe," Antonio said. Now, the Campos family lives a few miles from Antonio's new university while Antonio works to create his own story on the pitch — one that he hopes, like his father's, can inspire others. This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Fullerton soccer's Antonio Campos, son of star Jorge Campos, leans on family after fire
Antonio Campos carries the blood of his legendary father, former Galaxy and Mexican national team goalkeeper Jorge Campos. Perhaps more important, he carries his family's resilience after they worked to recover from the loss of their home in the Palisades fire. During Antonio Campos' first season with the Cal State Fullerton soccer team, he seeks to write his own story and help his team win. 'Just being in college is a success. I feel blessed,' said Antonio, who is studying business while fighting for minutes as a Division I goalkeeper. He was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the Pacific Palisades area, the second son of Jorge Campos and Canadian Marcy Raston. His sisters chose to focus on volleyball: Andrea, the eldest, recently signed with a professional club in France after a successful college career. Antonio, on the other hand, was torn between basketball and soccer. At Loyola High, he played point guard, although his height, at 6 feet, limited his minutes. 'Michael Jordan inspired me to play several sports,' said Antonio, who also played baseball and volleyball. Training sessions with his father during the COVID-19 pandemic led Antonio to eventually focus on soccer and the goalkeeper position. 'With my dad, everything is intense. Lots of training on the beach, reflexes, technique, cutting crosses. Things he did better than anyone else,' said Antonio, who does not shy away from his surname but does not want it to define him. 'I don't feel pressure. I prefer to teach the values my father instilled in me,' Antonio said. He is part of the first generation in his family to attend college in the U.S. and he knows that his path extends beyond soccer. In Mexico, Antonio also didn't feel he had much of a future, as his own father, Jorge, criticized goalkeeper trainers in that country last year. 'It's incredible that after 30 years, 40 years, we don't have a modern goalkeeper, of that style, like Manuel Neuer, Ter Stegen,' Jorge said in a recent interview with ESPN. Antonio was drawn to Cal State Fullerton as more than just a place to improve his soccer skills. The team's philosophy, focused on service, ambition and personal development, resonated with him and his family. 'We emphasize being good people. If you go far, you'll be better socially and culturally,' explained George Kuntz, the Titans' veteran coach. Antonio had had doubts about playing college soccer. 'I didn't want to play at the university level because first-year goalkeepers hardly ever play,' he said. However, he was assured that everyone would have real opportunities if they earned them through training. Between the posts, he will have to fight for minutes against quality teammates Eoin Kennedy, Asger Hemmer and Emanuel Padilla. Fullerton opens the regular season on Thursday at Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Okla. 'I want to play, yes, but I also want my teammates to improve. It's not just about me,' Antonio said. In 2024, the Titans stood out for their offensive prowess, but they also ranked among the worst teams in the country in goals conceded. That's why Fullerton reinforced its defense with four goalkeepers on the roster. Antonio is emerging as one of the promising players, with an athletic profile and an ambitious personality that has impressed the coaching staff. 'He's brave, has good technique and is improving tactically,' Kuntz said. Earlier this year, Antonio's focus was pulled away from soccer by a family emergency. In January, the Campos family home was one of more than 6,800 destroyed by the Palisades fire. 'We lost everything. I couldn't get anything out,' said Antonio, who still gets emotional while talking about his family's loss. That day, he thought about going home, but he decided to go to soccer training after receiving a message from a friend. The change of plans kept him safe. Antonio was accustomed to evacuations and didn't worry about the nearby fires. But after learning that his home had burned down, the loss was both material and emotional. 'My mom was devastated. It was her first home in this country,' said Antonio, who highlighted his father's strength. 'What surprised me was seeing my dad laughing and joking the next day. I never saw him cry. He set an example for us.' Among the lost items, Antonio regrets he could not save a necklace that his uncle gave him before he died. 'He supported me when I quit basketball. He told me I was going to be a professional. It hurt me to lose that,' Antonio said. However, the fire also brought the family closer together. 'The most important thing for me was that my family was safe,' Antonio said. Now, the Campos family lives a few miles from Antonio's new university while Antonio works to create his own story on the pitch — one that he hopes, like his father's, can inspire others. This article first appeared in Spanish via L.A. Times en Español.
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jorge Campos applauds Keylor Navas signing 👏
Keylor Navas surprised the soccer world by signing with Pumas, becoming one of the most important signings in the club's history. "Keylor, the best signing of Pumas' recent times", declared Jorge Campos during his participation in Los Protagonistas. Campos applauded the arrival of the Costa Rican, highlighting that he is just what the team needed. 'For a long time, a figure like this was required on the field', he noted, recognizing that the defense already looks more solid with the goalkeeper in goal. When talking about his qualities, the former goalkeeper described him as 'a very complete, very sober goalkeeper', and emphasized that his experience in Europe will be key for the team. 'What he did in Europe is not something anyone can achieve, not anyone wins those championships', he stated. Finally, Campos expressed his hope that Pumas will fight for the title again, motivated by the arrival of the Costa Rican. 'We haven't won it in a long time, but a leader has just arrived in the back... I think they've achieved it', he concluded. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 Agustin Cuevas - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MLS at 30: 15 Stranger-Than-Fiction Stories
Our MLS at 30 series continues with a wild look at 15 strange, bizarre, or downright unbelievable stories from across the league's three-decade history. From odd player requests and wrong signings to mascots being ejected and clubs sued over their name, these tales remind us just how weird and unpredictable Major League Soccer can be. As MLS celebrates its 30th season, we've dug through the archives to uncover some of the league's weirdest moments — some from the early days, others from recent years. Advertisement Yes, MLS has grown tremendously, but it hasn't always been smooth sailing. Along the way, there have been missteps, misfires, and some truly bizarre decisions. Below are 15 of the strangest stories we could find. (Honorable mentions include Jorge Campos reportedly asking for a Ferrari to sign with LA Galaxy, Crew Cat getting red carded, and the league's first celebrity All-Star Game in 1998.) Enjoy the misadventures of MLS! Kansas City Wiz — But Not for Long Stephen Dunn/Allsport/Getty Images In 1996, Kansas City kicked off its MLS existence with an unorthodox name, the Wiz — a nod to the city's connection to The Wizard of Oz — and a loud, garish kit. After one season, the club quietly rebranded to the 'Wizards' due to a trademark dispute with electronics chain Nobody Beats The Wiz. Instead of going to court, MLS, cash-strapped in its early days, simply tweaked the name and moved on. In 2011, the club would change its name once more, to a more Euro-sounding Sporting Kansas City. D.C. United Takes Soccer to Prison In 2024, D.C. United partnered with the D.C. Department of Corrections and the Twinning Project to bring soccer to local prisons. Starting in August, coaches from the club and its academy ran weekly training sessions at the Central Detention Facility to promote physical wellness and help inmates develop life skills for reintegration into society — one of the league's more progressive initiatives. Alexi Lalas' Rock Album In 1998, Alexi Lalas was struggling with the MetroStars, made a forgettable appearance at the World Cup with the United States men's national team, and released a rock album titled Ginger that no one asked for. It was panned by critics and ignored by fans. Strangely, Lalas has released eight albums, most of them timed suspiciously close to World Cups. Coincidence? Rhett Harty: From MLS Pioneer to Medical ProfessionalAdvertisement Defender Rhett Harty was part of the first trade in league history and a standout on a struggling MetroStars side. But in a lesser-known twist, he was involved in an antitrust lawsuit against MLS over its single-entity structure. After being lowballed on a new contract, Harty left pro soccer entirely and pursued a career in medicine. Alain Sutter Wanted to Tour America — Literally Stephen Dunn / Allsport Swiss international Alain Sutter, one of MLS's early marquee players, requested to be traded to a different team each season so he could 'see the country.' The league declined and assigned him to Dallas, where he impressed until a fluke injury — stepping in a hole — ended his career in 1998. Chivas USA: A Cultural Experiment Gone WrongAdvertisement Chivas USA was created to attract Mexican-American fans in Los Angeles and throughout the country, but the project backfired. The club was accused of hiring based on ethnicity, leading to a discrimination lawsuit by former staff who claimed they were let go for not being Latino. Combined with poor management and declining support, MLS shut the team down in 2014. MetroStars Sign the Wrong Palacios? Image via MetroFanatic In 1998, the MetroStars signed Colombian defender Jose Arley Palacios — but many believe they meant to sign his more famous brother, Everth Palacios, who had just played in the World Cup. The team's yearbook reportedly used Everth's bio by mistake. It's never been officially confirmed, but the rumors never died. Eric Wynalda Pays for a 'Fire the Coach' BannerAdvertisement In 1996, Eric Wynalda feuded so badly with San Jose Clash coach Laurie Calloway that he paid for a plane to fly a banner over Spartan Stadium calling for Calloway's firing. That's next-level player-coach drama — even for Wynalda, who has never shied away from conflict throughout his career. David Beckham Booed by His Own Fans Despite being the league's biggest star, David Beckham was booed by LA Galaxy fans in 2009 after returning from a loan to AC Milan. Fans saw him as a part-time player who cared more about Europe than MLS — and let him know it, loudly and repeatedly. Inter Miami's Backdoor Into the Club World Cup Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Advertisement When FIFA announced its new Club World Cup format, most assumed the MLS Cup winner would represent the league. But after Inter Miami won the Supporters' Shield with Lionel Messi, FIFA and MLS quickly named them the 'host representative,' bypassing the eventual MLS Cup winners, LA Galaxy. A convenient loophole? Absolutely. FIFA needed the ticket sales. MLS Abandons the U.S. Open Cup In 2024, MLS shocked fans by sending mostly reserve teams to the U.S. Open Cup, citing scheduling concerns and player fatigue. Critics saw it as disrespect toward the historic tournament — and a sign MLS is prioritizing its own competitions like the Leagues Cup. The panned move seems to now be taking a turn to redemption as some MLS teams have returned to the competition. Claudio Caniggia Deal Collapses Over Drug Test Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT Advertisement In 1999, the MetroStars were reportedly close to signing Argentine legend Claudio Caniggia. Local Spanish-language media even broke the story. But according to a former team executive, the deal fell apart after Caniggia was asked to take a drug test and pulled out in protest and feeling insulted. He later returned to Serie A with Atalanta and made Argentina's 2002 World Cup squad. The MetroStars, meanwhile, continued to linger in mediocrity. Freddy Adu: The 14-Year-Old Savior Who Never Was At just 14, Freddy Adu became the youngest player in MLS history and was hailed as the next Pelé. Despite flashes of brilliance, he never lived up to the hype. His journey through Europe and lower-tier teams turned him into a symbol of mismanaged youth talent rather than a star. It also did not help the image of MLS that 30-year-olds were taking pride in smashing into a 14-year-old kid. Clint Mathis Blocked From Bayern MunichAdvertisement After starring in the 2002 World Cup, Clint Mathis drew interest from Bayern Munich — but MLS reportedly blocked the transfer. His form dipped, and he left on a free two years later. A prime example of MLS getting in its own way during the early days of player movement. The MLS Shootout: So American It Hurt From 1996 to 1999, MLS didn't allow regular season draws. Instead, tied games went to a 35-yard breakaway shootout, where players had five seconds to score one-on-one against the keeper. It was meant to appeal to American fans — but instead became a symbol of how out of touch the league was with global soccer norms.
Los Angeles Times
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Carlos Vela helped grow soccer in the U.S. Here are 9 other Latino players who have done the same
A legend of Major League Soccer has officially hung his cleats. Carlos Vela, the first designated player signed by Los Angeles Football Club and the top scorer in the club's history, announced his retirement on Tuesday. During his time with LAFC, the Mexican striker established the club as a prime destination for well-known players from around the world — European stars Gareth Bale, Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris all joined the black and gold. He helped the team win its first trophy by scoring 34 goals during the 2019 season, en route to lifting the Supporters' Shield and setting the MLS single-season record. Vela's arrival was yet another chapter in the long history of Latino players leaving a mark on MLS. Here are nine other footballers who did the same. As the newest kid on the soccer block, MLS needed serious playmakers to establish itself as a legitimate league when it first launched in 1996. To do so, it enlisted high-profile players from Latin America. Marco Etcheverry, Carlos Valderrama and Jorge Campos dominated American soccer from 1996 to 2001. Etcheverry, born in Bolivia, dribbled his way into the history books by helping D.C. United reach the MLS Cup finals four consecutive years, winning three of them, including the inaugural one. Valderrama, who hailed from Colombia, directed the offense of the Tampa Bay Mutiny and was instrumental in the club winning the first ever Supporters' Shield — awarded to the team with the most points at the end of the regular season. The league's initial success also depended on the personalities on the field. Sports, after all, exist to entertain. Enter Jorge Campos, the very colorful goalkeeper from Mexico. Campos didn't just have swagger; he was also a two-way player. As a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chicago Fire, Campos would start games as the goalkeeper and finish as a striker. His unique style gave the MLS the coolness it needed to remain relevant. Carlos 'El Pescadito' Ruiz, who started off his career in his native Guatemala, admitted that he had doubts when he first agreed to transfer to MLS. 'Everything we hear about Major League Soccer is not so good. … We hear that all the players come here to finish their careers,' Ruiz told the New York Times. It didn't take long for Ruiz to make an impact. He notched 24 goals during the 2002 season — his first in the league — earning the Golden Boot award given to the season's top goal scorer. That same year, Ruiz led the Galaxy to its first MLS Cup. English soccer legend David Beckham made a splash when he joined the Galaxy in 2007. But he wasn't the only high-profile footballer to make a move to MLS that year. Cuauhtémoc Blanco, one of the most popular players in Mexican soccer history, chose to take his talents to the Chicago Fire, becoming the second-highest-paid MLS player in the process (behind Beckham). Blanco's short MLS stint was productive: He was a two-time MVP finalist, scored the MLS goal of the year in 2007 and took home the MLS All-Star Game MVP honors in 2008. Also coming into the league in 2007 was Guillermo Barros Schelloto, who joined the Columbus Crew after not getting enough playing time at Argentine club Boca Juniors. Thanks to Schelloto, the Crew, one of the league's founding clubs, won its first MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield in 2008. He was also named the 2008 MVP. In 2011, Schelloto returned to Argentina, though not before cementing his place as one of the most iconic players in Crew history. These three highlight how important attracting players from Latin America has been for MLS during much of its existence. Raul Ruidiaz was instrumental in the Seattle Sounders' transformation from expansion team to one of the most formidable clubs in North America. The Peruvian-born player joined the team in 2018 at age 27 and led the team to its second MLS Cup victory in 2019. In 2022, the Sounders became the only MLS club to date to win the CONCACAF Champions League. Ruidiaz contributed two goals in the Sounders' 5-3 aggregate victory against Mexican side UNAM. Ruidiaz left the club at the end of 2024, but not before becoming the Sounders' No. 2 all-time leading scorer in franchise history. After bouncing around and struggling at clubs in Switzerland and Italy, the Venezuelan-born Josef Martínez found a home at Atlanta United FC, joining the expansion club while on loan from Torino in 2017, during its inaugural season. The following year, Martínez had one of the most prolific individual seasons in MLS history. His 31 goals set an MLS single-season record (broken the following year by Carlos Vela). In addition to winning the Golden Boot, Martínez was named league MVP, All-Star Game MVP and MLS Cup Final MVP (Atlanta United won its only MLS Cup by defeating the Portland Timbers, 2-0). Martínez was key in turning Atlanta into a soccer city. During the 2018 season, the franchise averaged more than 53,000 fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For context, BMO Stadium (where LAFC plays) and Dignity Health Sports Park (where the Galaxy play), have a seating capacity of 22,000 and 27,000, respectively. Since its inception, MLS has had a somewhat earned reputation of being a place where players go to retire. But over the last decade, the league has helped change the narrative by exporting young talent to Europe. Which brings us to Miguel Almirón. The Paraguayan soccer player formed part of Atlanta United's 2018 championship run. In 2019, he was sold to English Premier League club Newcastle United for a reported $27 million. Almirón's transfer paved the way for the likes of Mexican American Ricardo Pepi and Colombian Jhon Durán to follow suit. In 2022, FC Dallas received $20 million for Pepi (he was 18 at the time) from German club Augsburg, and the Chicago Fire received $18 million in transfer fees from EPL club Aston Villa for Duran.
