Logan Pause has been a member of the Fire since being drafted in the third round (23rd overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. A native of North Caroline, Pause was a co-captain of the University of North Carolina squad in 2002 after helping the Tarheels to a NCAA Men's College Cup title the year before. Since joining the "Men in Red" Logan has played in a total of 111 games, starting in 90 of them. Pause scored his first career MLS goal on April 7, in the Fire's 2007 season home opener in the teams 1-0 over New England Revolution. So far this season, Pause has appeared in 15 contests, being held out of competition for three games in June due to a concussion he suffered during a practice session early in the month. Fire Inside had a chance to catch up with Pause before the team's trip to Columbus to take on conference rival, the Columbus Crew on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Fire Insider: As the regular season is winding down, how much emphasis is placed on securing a playoff spot?
Logan Pause: The goal of our team right now is to get into the playoffs so there is a strong emphasis on what work needs to be done in order for that to happen. Every game we play, and win, we know gets us that much closer to achieving our goal. The team and the coaching staff have regular conversations about winning games and making the playoffs.
FI: How does the team prepare for specific opponents? How does your role change game to game?
LP: Our team is very focused when it comes to game preparation. We make sure that we are going into a match as well prepared to win as possible. Our coaching staff does a wonderful job giving us game footage on our upcoming opponents, which shows us their tactical and technical tendencies. Most of the drills we do in practice are in place to make us better, as a team and as individuals; however, we do prepare tactically for our opposition. My role, specifically, is to help our team win games and that doesn't change from game to game.
FI: A lot of emphasis has been placed on the changes being made in the attacking third. Has your role changed at all, have you had to change anything in your style of play?
LP: Obviously our team is packed with attacking power. With the additions of 'Temo' and 'Chope' as well as getting Rolfe healthy and other teammates we are creating a more dynamic and effective attack. My role hasn't changed too much. I am here to help this team win and be successful. I have been asked to play a number of different positions, which changes my tactical game; however, my overall game remains unchanged. Anyone who has watched the Fire over the past few years knows that my style of play remains hardworking and simple. I don't think that will ever change.
FI: Coach Osorio places a great deal of emphasis on strength training, conditioning, and nutrition - how has his advice/training regimen helped you? What has been useful? Was there anything that was hard to get used to?
LP: Coach, as do we all, want to be successful and in order to do that we need to use every advantage we can get. Along with the high intensity training sessions and the tactical preparation, strength training, conditioning and nutrition all play a role of being able to compete at the highest level. All of the training and information we have been given is given to us for that reason, to become the best. This was by no means hard to get used to; we know what needs to be done.
FI: After suffering the concussion earlier this season, was it difficult making a comeback?
LP: Any type of head trauma is scary that's for sure, but in terms of making a comeback, I don't think this was ever an issue. The head is a funny one, I just needed to remain patient and listen to my body and the doctors. Much of the rehab for a concussion is just a waiting game, kind of frustrating to be honest, but necessary. I was unable to raise my heart rate at all for two weeks. During these two weeks I took a number of concussion tests, which included memory questions and tests. After the two weeks I had to ease into things making sure that there were no signs of post concussion syndrome. Since then I have had no worries throwing myself in for headers or any sort of contact.
FI: Do you speak any other languages? Do feel a language barrier on the field play side-by-side with Spanish/Portuguese speaking players?
LP: I wish I spoke another language. I actually asked Coach if there was any way we could get Spanish lessons, I'm very interested in learning another language. Obviously there is a little bit of a barrier with communication, however, on the field it has not been a problem at all.
FI: What good books have you read recently - What are some of your favorite authors/books?
LP: My most recent book read was The Secret. I have also been reading The Lord of the Rings for some time now. It's so long that I will read it for a while and put it down and pick up another book. I just got the 7th Harry Potter book, which I'm looking forward to. However, most of my current books have been textbooks as I have been trying to graduate for several years.
