FI:
Talk a little bit about your experience with the U.S. National Team.
CR: Everything with the national team is just a great experience, being with players of that caliber and getting a new perspective on styles of play. I've been there now with two different types of coaches, so I've learned a lot in my two camps. It's just really exciting representing your country in games.
FI: You were in the starting XI for the American's 2-0 victory over Mexico before over 62,000 fans in Glendale, Ariz. Was that the largest crowd you have ever played in front of?
CR: Yeah, by far the biggest.
FI: What is the biggest difference playing at the international level?
CR: It's just another step up, like the transition from college to MLS. Now it's the transition from MLS to international. The speed of play, the guys are even better athletes, smarter, they make decisions quicker. It's just a step up everywhere.
FI: You are the leading returning scorer for the Fire, plus you have experience working with the national team. Do those factors raise the level of expectation you have for yourself this season?
CR: (The Fire) are expecting a lot of production from me, whether it be assists or goals. I don't put pressure on myself in that regard. If I just come out and play the way I can play, things will fall into place and we'll be successful. In terms of being a leader, I prefer to lead more by example. I'm not the most vocal guy, but if someone is looking to talk with me one-on-one, I'll give them whatever wisdom I've learned in my two years of experience.
FI: How do you want to be perceived as a player?
CR: First of all, as a hard worker and second, as being creative. I want to be a player who is not like everybody else, not predictable. I like to throw in some flicks here and there, some different moves and ideals. When people watch me, I want them to be able to tell that I'm a competitor and that I don't like to lose - I want to win at all costs.
FI: Looking back, you entered MLS as a relative unknown, being drafted out of a small college. Was that much of a motivation tool for you, to prove you belonged in this league?
CR: My whole life has kind of been like that. Growing up, I didn't play on a big club team, every game we played in we were trying to prove ourselves. I didn't play in any Olympic Development Programs (OPD); my high school the same story, we weren't the best at soccer. We were always the underdogs, but came out on top by the time I was a junior and senior. Dayton wasn't known all that much for its soccer, but it's the same thing, it's always a challenge, you want to prove people wrong. When I came to Chicago, I was drafted out of the third round and people were a little uncertain about me. At the same time, I'm not the biggest guy and people always questioned my size, if I was going to be able to cut it at the next level. That has always been a driving force for me.
FI: So, you still feel you have to prove yourself?
CR: There's always something to prove. I don't think I've put together a solid year in MLS, hopefully I've be around this year with no injuries and really do what I know I'm capable of doing and help the team in terms of winning. There is always something to prove at the international level as well, I'm never satisfied.
FI: Were you influenced by any particular player or players growing up?
CR: On the international level, Dennis Bergkamp from Holland. Locally, we had an indoor soccer team called the Dayton Dynamo that played in the NPSL (National Professional Soccer League), We used to go to games all the time and my favorite player was Dennis Brose. He was a forward, a left-footed guy who was really nice and would come have dinner with our family. I always looked up to him.
FI: It's interesting how you and Dasan Robinson have followed similar paths, you are both Ohio products who played at the University of Dayton before joining the Fire. And you both have trained with the national team.
CR: Basically all I'm doing is setting the road for Dasan. I'm doing all the hard work and Dasan is reaping the benefits (laughing). Seriously, I'm happy for Dasan, I've known him since 2002, five years now, and it's good to see him succeeding, going through the same things I went through. Playing at a small school like Dayton you don't get a lot of recognition. For him to do well here in his first year and now get the attention of the national team, things are really working out well for him, which is great.
