Now in his third season, Chicago Fire forward Chad Barrett has proven to be an offensive force in the early stages of the 2007 campaign. Barrett has already scored two goals in the Fire's first five games including game-tying goals in the 2-1 win over the Kansas City Wizards on April 21 and the 1-1 tie against the Colorado Rapids on April 15. The 22-year-old Generation adidas player is taking center stage this season, pairing with Chris Rolfe up top to form a young but powerful attack for the "Men in Red". Fire Insider had the opportunity to catch up with Barrett before the Fire's May 12 match up against Toronto FC at BMO Field.
Fire Insider: When did you first start playing soccer?
Chad Barrett: I started playing soccer when I was about five-years-old, but I didn't get serious until I was 10.
FI: What other sports did you play growing up?
CB: Everything: baseball, basketball, football track and field - all the main sports.
FI: Why soccer as opposed to other sports?
CB: I had the most fun playing soccer and I had the best chance to make a run at playing professionally and making a career out of it.
FI: Who has most influenced your soccer career?
CB: As an idol, I looked up to Jurgen Klinsmann growing up. I tried to model my game after him but as I got older I realized we are different types of players. Wayne Rooney would be another.
FI: Which team in the league is your favorite to score on?
CB: That would be a team I haven't yet scored on, the New England Revolution. I've had so many good looks but haven't scored on them yet.
FI: What team did you grow up following?
CB: When I was growing up I didn't really pay too much attention to Major League Soccer. Tottenham is by far my favorite team.
FI: What do you do in your down time?
CB: Hang out with buddies, watch soccer, and play golf.
FI: What is your favorite movie?
CB: Gladiator or Dumb and Dumber - Jim Carrey is my favorite actor and I don't think anybody has ever laughed as hard so many times as I did when watching that movie.
FI: Do you listen to music before games to get psyched up? If so, what do you listen to?
CB: I used to listen to Classic and Hard Rock to get pumped up before games, but I found out that if I get too pumped up before, I just get nervous. Now I listen to mostly rap.
FI: Do you have any pre-game habits or superstitions?
CB: I don't have any superstitions but I have a routine - I get to the stadium, get my back cracked, then I go into the hot tub and cold whirl, three minutes on three minutes off four times. Then I towel off and get a foot massage. I get dressed and go out.
FI: What would your perfect day consist of?
CB: I wouldn't wake up to an alarm clock. I'd probably get up around 10:00 o'clock, it would be 80 degrees and sunny with no wind. I'd go play golf for about four hours, go to the beach, and go out to dinner.
