Canadian national team and Houston Dynamo midfielder Dwayne De Rosario was named to his first MLS All-Star team earlier this month. Find out when he learned the news and what he thinks about playing in newly-built Toyota Park.
How did you find out you made the MLS All-Star team and what was your reaction?
Dwayne De Rosario: I was at a hotel in L.A. I got a call early in the morning that woke me up. I was like, 'Who's calling me so early in the morning?' I was really ticked off. Then they told me that I had been selected to the MLS All-Star Team, and that turned out to be probably the best wake-up call that I've gotten in a long time.
As the only Canadian on the team, do you feel like an ambassador of the sport for your country?
DD: Most definitely. I feel that being the only Canadian on the team is a motive of pride, not only for me, but for all Canadians. I think that it is good for people to look at the talent Canada has to offer. I hope I set a good example for all those involved in Canadian soccer who want to play professionally in the future.
Coming on the heels of the World Cup, are you motivated to do well against the Premier League Champion Chelsea and get that international exposure?
DD: Definitely. I think this is a great time to showcase our league and to showcase individual talent. Having the opportunity to represent my team, Houston Dynamo, is a wonderful thing, since I am not only going there to represent my country, but also my teammates and myself. I will do my very best in that game.
The All-Star Game is being played in Chicago's brand new soccer-specific stadium, the fourth such stadium built in the United States. How does playing in that environment add to your overall enjoyment of the event?
DD: It's great. Since you don't have many of those stadiums in the U.S., it's neat to have the opportunity to play in a stadium where the only sport that is meant to be played on the field is soccer. It makes you feel like you're in Europe, or even South America. It will be very special playing in the All-Star Game, something that I will treasure forever.
You'll be sharing the field with your running-mate Brian Ching. Is that a tribute the success of the Dynamo attack?
DD: Sure. We have done so well, I was really shocked that he did not make the starting team. He's been playing well, scoring goals, and I am glad that he did get picked. It shows our potency going forward. Even though there are other guys who are not on the list who should be there, we will definitely be there to represent for them.
All-Star games are normally fun and full of goals. How do you see this game differing from the standard American sports model? Do you like this different format?
DD: I think it's good when we play these games, since it shows the respect that the league has gained throughout the 11 years in which it has been around. You know, Chelsea just does not go anywhere to play just any team, so it's a big thing in the world of football to have a team like that play against your league. That said, I don't think this game will differ much from the usual American sports model, since both teams will go on the field with the intention of proving themselves. Do I like playing in front of a team like Chelsea? It's like nothing else in the World.
