Kendall Waston (Limón, 1988) is the most charismatic athlete of recent years in Costa Rica. With his height and strength, he has managed to impose respect at the national team level, but above all at Deportivo Saprissa, a club with which he spent five stages. All of them left him pleasant memories and allowed him to learn about the purple DNA, which he now tries to pass on to the younger ones. He assures that he does not consider himself a symbol of the ‘Monster’, but that he works to “mark history”.
How is Kendall Waston doing?
The truth is that I am very excited about everything that is ahead. The national championship has started a bit difficult for Saprissa, but lately we have achieved good results to move up the standings. And in the national team waiting for the last three games to qualify for Qatar.
You are a true institution of Costa Rican soccer, but above all of Deportivo Saprissa. How was your connection with ‘La S’ born?
The connection has happened in different ways because at the beginning I didn’t have as much participation in Saprissa and I had to go on loan to two other teams here in Costa Rica to establish myself and earn a place in the institution where, thank God, we won a title. 30. From there I had that connection with the fans and with everyone else. Then I headed to the MLS. He is going through his fifth stage defending the shield of Saprissa.
Which process did you enjoy the most?
Wow, what a difficult question. They all have a peculiarity: most of the tournaments in which we have managed to be champions have usually been very difficult. At the beginning or middle of the tournament, the water looked very rough and it seemed that Saprissa was not going to make it, and at the end we got the purple DNA and became champions. I can highlight one (process) that was when we beat our archrival Alajuelense under a torrential downpour. That was title 30 and it was the one I enjoyed the most.
What exactly is purple DNA?
Purple DNA is all you get when you have to. In those difficult moments, in which other institutions may not be able to react, the players who love Saprissa and know what these colors represent never stop fighting until the end.
He also enjoyed pleasant moments at the Pérez Zeledón Municipal. Is there a special affection towards the ‘Warriors of the South’?
Yes, it was a very special moment. That team opened doors for me, I had more participation and I scored many goals. Among the non-historical teams in terms of reaching the finals, we reached the semifinals. Those are achievements for a club that is not traditional. I also achieved a very good performance and started to be called up to the national team.
Is it considered a symbol of Deportivo Saprissa?
I don’t consider myself a symbol of Deportivo Saprissa right now, I do try to make history and I want to be remembered.
What are your sensations of the current season in the Promerica League?
Positive feelings, in which we are improving and we are on the rise. We have half the tournament left to get ahead and hopefully we can get to the top.
How do you rate the work of coach Iñaki Alonso?
The truth is that it is very good. She has come with a different working method, with an order and has worked on the mental part. Group cohesion is very important. He is a coach with whom we feel very comfortable. The team supports it.
So we can say that it is Iñaki Alonso who embodies a European method…
Yes, but he also adapts to our conditions and the style of play here. In the same way, it is already a modern football like the one played everywhere. I think he has his European methodology that he wants to capture with us.
A few days ago, Iñaki cataloged him as the “soul of Saprissa”. Do you share his appreciation?
I respect her and thank her. I say that God has put me in favor with him and with many people. My job has always been the same: give everything and be true to my values.
He also revealed that he has a special affection for him, the same one that has caused ridicule and controversy over there. Why does he believe that a simple display of affection between coach and player is cause for ridicule?
There are people for everything. There are people who are mature and understand the message the way it was said.
Do you think that these reactions harm the sport?
We are used to that. Unfortunately there are always people who look for the negative side of situations. Looking at it another way, it’s good when the boss recognizes one’s virtues. There will always be people who will look for the opposite of the positive.
“Saprissa is a passion, a team that I esteem and love very much”
Kendall Watson
And in North America, where he lived for five years after playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps, is there similar ridicule?
No. That I remember from comments with a certain affection from the coach to the player, I have not seen much.
How do you evaluate your time in the MLS?
The truth is that it is very good, I quite enjoyed it. In Vancouver I had good years, where I grew up as a footballer and I was also able to be a captain. Then I went to Cincinnati and went through the same thing; In addition, I scored a historic goal. I don’t regret anything that happened over there.
He even got to be nominated for ‘Defender of the Year’ in his first experience…
Yes, blessed God. The truth is that it is a very different style of football than here. There is more intensity and aggressiveness, but I adapted very quickly.
Why didn’t he manage to extend his career in North American soccer?
There were several personal and family issues. When we were in this pandemic situation, we saw certain priorities in our lives and we made the decision to return to Costa Rica.
Is it an outstanding debt to play in Europe?
It has been a dream that I always had, but one understands the reality of the moments. I had the opportunity to see certain possibilities, but in the end they did not materialize. It still doesn’t make me sleepy.
What does Deportivo Saprissa mean?
It is a passion, a team that I esteem and love very much. I have achieved a lot of happiness in Saprissa. For me it represents many things and I hope to give back to the fans and the players, who taught me to follow the positive circle towards the youngest, the affection they have given me. I want to mark history in this institution.
