We all know the routine. It’s that time to stand in lines, buy books, wonder where our financial aid checks are, or, you know, tryout for a Major League Soccer team.

For midfielder Marco Ramirez, the first three days of the spring semester will be the most exciting of his academic career. Far from campus, he’s in Los Angeles trying to impress the coaches for the MLS’s Los Angeles Galaxy. “I’ve wanted to play professionally ever since I started playing soccer when I was 5. Just watching soccer on TV, it was a goal for me to be there,” Ramirez said.

Although he admits that he’s wasn’t the best player on the Hornet squad, he knows he has what every coach looks for in a player.

“It’s my work ethic, which is probably one of my strongest abilities. I’m basically a non-stop worker. I can go for 90 to 100 minutes. Plus I’m coachable and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve my goals and contribute to the team.”

Ramirez believes that his strong showing in a game against St. Mary’s last season has given him the opportunity. Former St. Mary’s head coach Steve Rammel recently joined the Galaxy’s coaching staff.

“He was invited to join the Galaxy staff as an assistant coach, and called (Sac State head coach) Mike about me and started asking questions. Everything happened at the right time,” Ramirez said.

It would be easy to get caught up in the excitement of the moment, but Ramirez remains focused and grounded. The senior kinesiology major knows the importance of finishing what he has started here at school.

“If I don’t get picked, I’ll take advantage of my scholarship this semester. School is very important. I could get injured at any time.”

But still, it’s a dream come true for any young soccer hopeful. His teammates have urged him to “represent”, and his family is of course ecstatic.

“Everything is fitting kind of smooth, so now it’s all going to be up to me after that. I never thought that I would make it this far, or even get invited. It’s an honor for me.”

Josh Terrell can be reached at [email protected]