The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is proud to be the jersey front sponsor for the Tampa Ray Rowdies for the second year in a row. In support of our collaboration with the team, each month we will be shining the spotlight one of their rock star players. This month we kicked it with Tampa Bay Rowdies midfielder, Juan Guerra who rocks number 16. Juan is originally from Caracas, Venezuela and has been playing soccer since he was four years old.
How did you start playing soccer?
I started playing back home for my elementary school team in the Eastern part of Caracas.
How did you come to the United States?
I came to the United States with my family when I was 13 years old. After I completed high school, I was offered a scholarship and I attended Florida International University.
How do you like living in Tampa?
During the first month in Tampa, my wife and I fell in love with it. There are so many nice areas and it’s a beautiful place to be. I really love the Tampa Bay Rowdies fans and the way they show the Rowdies their support.
How do you feel about the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa being your jersey front sponsor?
I love it; the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa really shows their love all year round. In the pre-season, they really supported the team and showed us how important it is to them to be our sponsor. I appreciate their commitment to us.
What do you like the most about being a midfielder?
The thing that I like most is having the freedom to move up and down the field. There’s a lot of responsibility in carrying the ball to the defense and the offense. Midfielders keep the team balanced in the field.
What’s your favorite pro soccer team?
My favorite team is Caracas F.C. I watched them when I was growing up and I always looked up to their players.
If you had to compare your game to one soccer player, who would it be?
If I had to pick one I would Steven Gerard. But, I look up to a lot of players and I always try to learn from them when I watch them play.
Fun Fact: Juan will be welcoming a son, Santiago, to the world in December 2015!
Follow Juan on Twitter
*Photos courtesy of the Tampa Bay Rowdies