Q&A With Fort Lauderdale Strikers Midfielder Ramón Núñez

Photo credit: Jon van Woerden

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers added Honduran international Ramón Núñez to their roster shortly after the Spring Season began. He has had a big impact, including a two-assist game in the Strikers’ first win of 2016, 3-1 against Carolina.

Matthew Levine of NASL.com spoke to Núñez about his time playing for Leeds United in England and internationally for Honduras, his time in the NASL so far, and more.

Levine: You’ve been given the nickname El Principito (Little Prince), how did you earn it?

Núñez: It came about when I was playing with Puebla [in 2009], but I’m not sure why and how it came about. Since Puebla it’s stuck. Obviously they’ve took it in in Honduras as well and it’s carried along with me.

Levine: You started your career in the U.S. with the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas), but how’s it been playing in the U.S. again?  

Núñez: It’s been good. The adjustment has been easier since I have played in MLS before. The NASL is very similar, so the adjustment has been pretty easy for me.

Levine: One of the stops in your career was Leeds. I know the club hasn’t gotten back to where it would like to in England’s top division, but it’s still one of the bigger clubs in the country. How was your time there?

Núñez: I’ve always said the Championship is a tough league to play in, a very competitive league. It’s shown year after year that teams that get relegated into the Championship have a difficult time to get back into the Premiership. That’s because of the competitive nature.

My time at Leeds was amazing. I had a great time. I got to experience English football and it was unbelievable for me.

Núñez was on the books at Leeds from 2010-13. Photo credit: Leeds United

Levine: I wanted to ask about one game in particular, and unfortunately it was a loss. It was the game against Arsenal in the FA Cup with Thierry Henry back on loan, and he scores the game-winning goal. Can you describe the atmosphere for that Cup match?

Núñez: The atmosphere was amazing. There was around 60,000 at the game, and we thought we were going to get a replay at our stadium. Henry came in and scored one of his signature goals to knock us out of the Cup. It was definitely an amazing experience. It’s always nice to play against teams like Arsenal.

Levine: You’ve represented Honduras at the World Cup. Can you talk about going to South Africa and representing your country?

Núñez: It’s every soccer player’s dream to make it to the World Cup. I’m one of the fortunate ones who have gotten to play in a World Cup. Being there was amazing and getting to play all three games in the group stage was incredible for me. It was an important step in my career.

Levine: One of your teammates at the World Cup was Wilson Palacios, who is also now playing in the NASL and in Florida. Unfortunately you missed the first meeting between Fort Lauderdale and Miami FC, but have you spoken to Wilson about the chance of playing him later in the year?

Núñez: I haven’t gotten the chance to speak to him since I’ve been here because everything moved pretty quickly and I’m just trying to adjust as soon as possible to relax and focus on my game.

I’m sure I’ll get around to speaking to him. He’s a very good friend of mine. In England when we were both there we got together often to have lunch or dinner.

He’s a player with great experience from playing in the Premiership and hopefully everything goes well for him and Miami, and that everything goes well for myself and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Levine: There is a growing number of Honduran players – Palacios, yourself, Tampa Bay’s Darwin Espinal – do you think more players from Honduras want to play in the NASL?

Núñez: I think it’s a great opportunity for players from Honduras to come here. I think the perspective from people in Honduras on the league is that it’s not one of quality, but they are very mistaken. I’ve been surprised about the quality of play. We played against the Carolina RailHawks and their play was very good. They came out playing from the back, moving the ball from one side to the other. I think that’s something that is going to open eyes in Honduras to see the league and see that it’s a great league.

Levine: In 2011, you played in the Copa Centroaméricana and Honduras won the tournament. How does that moment feel to not only win a tournament, but to have done it for your country?

Núñez: I think winning championships and tournaments is what we play for. Being able to win that tournament, after 16 years I don’t think Honduras had won it, it was a great boost for our country and all the players participating at the time.

I was fortunate to be named the player of the tournament and it helped me at Leeds and getting more playing time when I got back.

Núñez with the MVP trophy for his performance at Copa Centroamericana. Photo credit: Leeds United

Levine: How special is it to be named the MVP in a tournament-winning campaign?

Núñez: It’s a great honor. It’s something that you work towards, but when the team does well and the team gets to the final and wins the championship then all those things come behind the team performance. I was fortunate to be surrounded by  great players, a lot of young, hungry players, and we were able to win the tournament. Good things come from that.