For the first time in his life, Crew midfielder Hector Jimenez is adjusting to life outside of California. Born in Huntington Park outside of Los Angeles, raised in Bell Gardens, schooled at Cal-Berkeley and spending the first three years of his career with the LA Galaxy, Jimenez is anxious to return to the Golden State this weekend when the Crew faces the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday (3:00 p.m. ET / UniMas, Time Warner Cable SportsChannel).
Jimenez is anticipating many of his friends and family in attendance at Buck Shaw Stadium, making the five-hour drive from Southern California.
"This is a game that when I was in LA, I looked forward to the most," Jimenez said after the Crew's Wednesday training session. "I trained with [the Earthquakes] during the summer and stuff like that. It'll be a good game for me, my family is coming up. The team is excited. Hopefully we can get on a winning streak again."
Winning two MLS Supporters' Shields in three seasons with the Galaxy, Jimenez can't help but view the 'Quakes as a rival.
I think [Galaxy vs. Earthquakes] is one of the biggest rivalries in the League, to be honest, during those years I was in LA. It's a team that you go and play at their field, they don't want to lose points."
This weekend marks the only trip the Crew will make to California this season as it hosts the Galaxy and Chivas USA in Columbus later in 2014. Jimenez will surely make the most of his limited return home.
"Just California, the sunshine," answered when asked what he missed most about the Golden State.
"I went to school in the Bay Area. I have a lot of friends still there, so it will be good to see them and play well in front of them."
