ManagerSim November 2016 | Page 2

THE MANAGER

When I was approached to create the foreword for this issue, my head

(for those who may already know me) got pretty big. Anytime I’m asked to write or talk about myself I get excited. Some might say I’m cocky and conceited. I say I’m confident and stand up for what I believe in. I’m also from New York. No hold on…I’m from New York City and we New Yorkers have an extra bit of confidence. So in all good fun I took up the offer to create the foreword.

As I started writing some ideas down something odd happened. I got pretty serious. Here I was, thinking this would be a fun and cheesy way to put my name out there again in the World Wide Web. Yet the reason why I got serious is because I realized that in an attempt to “talk about myself” I was actually talking about a subject that’s very dear to my heart.

Question. Are you like me?

Hear me out. I’m comfortable with what works and I don’t like much change. Especially when it’s a touchy subject. For instance, I can wear my favorite jeans every single day if I could. Okay, jeans aren’t a touchy subject…fine. I have been driving the same Mazda 3 car for over 15 years and can’t fathom the thought of selling her. And yes, she has a name, it’s Alexa. I can root, cheer, scream, chant and cry for the same team that continually disappoints in the league standings year after year.

Why? Because that team has got my heart wrapped around their finger.

This game, for those new players joining our world, is dear to my heart. I’ve played this game for at least as long as I’ve owned my car and during these 15+ years there were a ton of changes made. Yet one thing remained the same. The fans. The players. The actual human managers who stayed with this game through the thick of things.

A lifelong resident of Queens, NY, Andres loves the diversity of his borough. He says, “Only in Queens will you have a 10-block stretch that will take you to 20 different countries.” With a great mix of people and their life-long traditions, Andres enjoys learning about new cultures and especially enjoys the food! In his spare time, he loves spending time with his border collie and is an avid fan and athlete in a wide range of sports but above all else soccer. He is the founder and host of NYCFC Fan Podcast a radio show dedicated to New York City FC.

The managers who have taken time out of their personal lives to meet each other in different parts of the real world. These people make this game what it is today and continue to make it what it will be in the future.

When the decision came to financially support the game, I didn’t think twice. Okay…I’m lying…I did think twice but it was deciding on whether or not I wanted to fully support the game or just throw in a few Dollars (add your currency here) at it.

I agreed that with the money I would use to fully support the game I could have easily wasted (at least here in New York City) on a night out of drinks. The truth is, night out of drinks sounds way more fun...but it’s a very short minded way of thinking.

The long term and smarter approach was to financially support a “game” that was being handled by those who I trust. To support an environment with people who I personally have a connection with. To work alongside others who I can easily say are an extension of my online family and most importantly with those who also see the game as a long term plan. With all this said, I hope you enjoy the game, enjoy the managers you meet during your stay, enjoy the competitive environment this game brings out and to remember…a game is built for people to play but people make the game what it is.

Andres Emilio Soto