Cameron Iwasa joined Sporting KC during the off-season after playing college soccer for UC Irvine and then spending last year with USL side, Sacramento.
So, you’ve been riding to training in Tim Melia’s van and Catchphrase has been keeping you guys occupied on the 30-minute drive to Kino. Who has the most L’s?
Tim’s been getting unlucky because he’s been driving a lot. He’s making sure to keep us safe first and then he’s playing the game second. But hands down, the worst player is Benji. He doesn’t have the most losses, but he’s definitely the worst player. Benji’s been getting pretty lucky. Usually, he’ll have it for so long and he can’t give us good clues and then finally someone will get it and he’ll pass it and the next person will get stuck with it.
How strong is your Catchphrase ability?
I’d like to say pretty phenomenal. I think I give good clues and I’m a pretty good guesser. Benji’s been impressed.
Who’s DJ and what’s been playing on the radio?
Typically we have been turning the music off so we can focus on the game. But, when we aren’t playing Catchphrase, [Andrew] Dykstra’s in the DJ seat. We’ve been going radio though, we don’t have an aux cord. We’ve been playing a lot of oldies. Andrew is also really into G-Unit. There was a 50 Cent song that came on and all the sudden Andrew just rapped the whole verse and we were like what the heck just happened.
If you were DJ, what would be playing?
I try to stay current. I have Apple Music so it makes it pretty easy to look at whatever’s new. I’m a big fan of The Weeknd's new album that dropped late last year. Big fan of Drake, I think everybody likes Drake. I’m a big Kayne guy.
While on the topic of music. We heard you had an affinity for Karaoke. Top five Karaoke songs. Go:
Wait a second. I kind of got roped into that. Affinity is a strong word. I don’t mind karaoke but I definitely don’t have a go-to song. I just check the set list and see what I’m feeling. More upbeat songs are always more fun. I’m a big Bieber guy. Actually Bieber is one of my favorite artists. I actually love Bieber. I love his music. I sang Biebs’ Boyfriend when I karaoke’d on Good Day Sacramento.
So how did that all come about, singing karaoke on local Sacramento news?
It all started last season. I was playing for Sacramento and our first game of the year we played at Seattle, we played Seattle 2. After the game, we got back to the hotel and went to the restaurant to eat and they had Karaoke. Our whole team was there including the coaches and we were all taking turns singing karaoke. Word must have gotten around that I crushed it because before I knew it, the local news was asking for me to perform live. Thanks Biebs.
You’re rooming with Jimmy Medranda, how’s your Spanish?
It’s decent. I got A’s in high school.
What is the coolest ‘roomie’ thing you’ve done so far?
Last night, we watched the Warriors blow out the Clippers. That wasn’t that fun, though, because they won by like 40 points. But, I’m a HUGE NBA fan.
Jimmy is known in KC for his skills. What are you known for on the field?
Dom Dwyer started calling me muscles.
So you just beast people off the ball?
That’s kind of what I do.
Best soccer moment of your career so far?
Good question. It’s hard to pick one moment. Signing with Sporting KC is definitely up there, because signing an MLS contract has been a goal of mine for a really long time. But I also definitely think about the key on-field moments in my career. Probably scoring the game-winner in the conference championship in college and also my first professional goal. My first professional goal was at Portland 2. I was playing for Sacramento at the time. It wasn’t a great goal, but it was a cool moment because it was my first as a pro. Whereas, my junior year in college, I scored a goal in the conference championship. It was in the 70th minute, we had a lot of fans because it was the championship, it was a good goal and it was the game-winner so that was pretty sweet too. Scoring a goal is the best feeling there is.
Changing gears a little bit, you’re a California boy. What’s your most ‘Cali’ trait?
I’m definitely laid back. Not much that bothers me ever. Soo Cali.
Craziest thing that’s ever happened to you?
I got in a car accident in high school. Let me start by saying everyone was fine in the end. But the car did roll three times and I got out of the car without a scratch and went to soccer practice that night.
And now we’re going to find out some of your favorite things.
- Favorite holiday? Christmas.
- Favorite food? I like everything. But, I LOVE BACON.
- Favorite Netflix series? Always Sunny, hands down.
