NYCosmos.com: Injury kept you out for stretches of the Fall Season, but you came back strong and contributed to the championship win. What does this title mean to you?

Rovérsio: We began really well in the Spring Season, not losing a match, whereas we had more difficulty in the longer Fall Season. I played quite often in the Spring, and winning the season title was a great accomplishment.

I began the Fall Season with some injuries, and those forced me out of matches. That was not in my plans, but we don’t have control over things like that. They happen. The most important thing was that I always worked hard to return as quickly as possible. I had the full support of my teammates and the coaching staff. They kept supporting me. They constantly checked up on me to see how I was feeling. That alone was a good feeling. It gave me higher hopes of recovering and returning, and being able to help in the final matches.

We achieved the goal we set at the beginning of the season, which was to win The Championship. This was the most important thing.

How does this triumph compare with the one two seasons ago, in the team’s reboot campaign?

They’re different. I believe each one is different. In 2013 we came together beautifully. I arrived – it was my first year – and there was so much work to be done for all of us. Giovanni, for example, had to construct an entire team in a few months! And he did it. The pieces fit together marvelously, and we won a truly special championship. We played the final in Atlanta, and it was significant because it was the first. It wasn’t even my first year; it was my first six months. It is a championship I’ll always remember.

This year? Well, it was longer because we began in the Spring Season. But this year the club already had time to grow. This team compared to 2013 is completely different. But we grew as a team plenty this season, too, through more matches. There were more difficult moments, but I think this team really thrived on the tough times. At the end of this year, winning the championship felt incredible, like we earned it. And again I felt the pride being a member of this club and wearing these colors.

I’m proud of the work we’ve all done: the players, Gio, the coaching staff. And being here, enjoying these moments at the Cosmos, truthfully I’m really happy. We’re more than a team here on the pitch and in the locker room. We’re like a family. I think our results show that. And we’ll keep working hard to continue the winning tradition of this historic club.

Did you have a favorite match this season? Which was it and why?

I believe all the matches are important, but The Championship Semifinal match against the Strikers stays with me. We fell behind early, and it was one of the toughest games we played all season. We were able to turn it around, though, and forge our path to The Championship Final, eventually winning it all. So this game was significant to me, given the difficulty and how the odds were against us when we fell behind.

Another game – I wasn’t able to participate, but I remember it as a spectacular and important one – was the Open Cup win against New York City FC. We won it on penalties, and it was an emotional match for all of us. I wasn’t able to play, but surely the fans and everyone there felt the atmosphere that night at Shuart Stadium. We got the win, achieving our goal, but unfortunately fell short in the next game. Still, I won’t soon forget how special that match was.

Rayo OKC comes to the NASL in 2016. What do you think of Rayo Vallecano being involved in the league? You know the club from your time in La Liga with CA Osasuna.

I competed against Rayo Vallecano in Spain a number of times. They have some players of great quality. I think this helps raise the level of competition and quality in our league, bringing the characteristics of that club to Rayo OKC.

Each year that passes, this league is growing. It’s good for us, it’s good for the league and it’s good for fans. We’ve played some beautiful games of soccer in the NASL, and each year everyone improves. So we’ll welcome Rayo OKC, and I’m excited to play them. And I think the fans are excited to see the league grow and improve.

What do you have planned this offseason?

My wife and son have already left for Portugal. I’m here training with the team a little longer, then I’ll join my family in Portugal. I’m there for a couple of weeks, and after we’ll all go to Brazil to be with my family. We’ll spend Christmas and the New Year in Brazil. That’s our vacation, just spending time with family. It definitely helps me recharge my batteries, which is important.

I’ll enjoy all the hard work put in this year. It was a difficult season, for me especially. I dealt with injury, but thankfully was able to finish the season playing. So I’ll enjoy and rest up for the coming year. I think we can have another great year in 2016. I’m prepared to be even better.