Marco Ureña didn't catch the last time LAFC took on the San Jose Earthquakes.
He was asleep.
Of course, he wasn't on the pitch in San Jose. He wasn't snoozing on the bench, either - any striker watching a seven-goal match from the bench is more likely to resemble a dog at the end of a chain with a steak just out of reach than a player in need of a siesta. When LAFC snatched three points thanks to a 97th-minute goal from João Moutinho, it was just too late in the night, or more accurately, too early in the morning for Ureña.
"I remember, I was in Belgium. It was just right before the World Cup," Ureña said after LAFC training on Friday. "We had just played a game there. It was late in the night, I couldn't watch the game. But when I woke up, I was so happy when I saw the result."
At the time LAFC played against his former team, Ureña was one of four members of the LAFC squad preparing with their respective national teams for the upcoming World Cup in Russia. The second World Cup tournament of his career, Ureña would play in two matches for Costa Rica, including starting against five-time champion Brazil.
But even halfway around the world, Ureña made sure he was able to follow LAFC back in the U.S.
"I have the MLS app, you can follow all the scores. You just put the alarm and it will show on your screen," Ureña said.
"Of course, there was a lot on Twitter, from MLS, and everywhere they showed [the game-winning goal] because it was a really crazy game. You know, so many goals, and then winning in the last minute. So it was nice memories for everyone that was there because I remember there was also a lot of [LAFC] fans in the stadium."
Before arriving at LAFC, Ureña was a member of the Earthquakes for one season. The Costa Rican scored five times in 25 games for San Jose. While he hasn't reached those heights yet with LAFC, after scoring his first MLS goal for the Black & Gold, Ureña feels he's in the right form at the right time.
"It's nice always to score, of course. As a striker, it's when you feel alive is when you score goals," Ureña said. "We're getting into the last games, so I hope in these games I can score even more and keep in this way. I think we need all the strikers in the same way because we are close to the playoffs, so we need strikers who are focused on scoring goals for the games that are coming."
As LAFC host the Earthquakes for the first time on Saturday, Ureña finally gets the chance to face his former team. While it's a special match, it's a moment that's not too big for the forward to handle.
"I'm experienced enough in my career and in big games. Tomorrow is a special game for me. It's a really special game," Ureña said. "When I was in San Jose last season, it was my first year in MLS. I have a lot of memories, good memories. They have a lot of years in MLS and they never qualified for the playoffs, and I can't forget the goal I scored in the last minute against Minnesota to go to the playoffs. It was an amazing moment.
"But in the end, it's football. And now I'm in a new team. I have to fight for teammates. And they know me. They know how I am and how professional I am. I hope I can enjoy the game, and I hope for sure to get the three points because we need to start winning at home. Especially, close to the playoffs."
