After acclimating to the speed and style of Major League Soccer play during his first professional season, Mike Banner has been providing depth in the Chicago Fire midfield during his second go-around in 2008. Banner, the Fire's third-round 2007 SuperDraft pick, took the course of many young MLS players by making the most of the MLS Reserve Division, and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play. In the Fire's 4-1 win over the Cleveland City Stars on July 1, 2008, Banner tallied two goals, helping the Fire to semifinals of the tournament. Fire Insider caught up with Banner leading up to the Fire's match with Toronto FC, on Saturday, July 12 at TOYOTA PARK.
Fire Insider: What is your opinion of the season thus far?
Mike Banner: I think it is going well, all teams have ups and downs and I think that we are going to bounce back and start capitalizing on the opportunities we are creating.
FI: What aspect of your game are you working on right now?
MB: I'm working on right foot - I'm trying to improve my shooting from that side right now.
FI: What was it like stepping on the field to face your hometown team D.C. United in the Open Cup match this Tuesday?
MB: I grew up watching the team and went to a lot of the games. It is always cool to go back and be in the area, see family, and take the field against a team I grew up watching.
FI: Do you have any pre-game traditions?
MB: None at all. I think it is all mental when you are preparing for a game and I don't need the routine to get me there.
FI: Rumor has it that you are the player that Cuauhtémoc Blanco calls ET, is that true?
MB: [laughing] Unfortunately yes, I don't mind it at all - he has nicknames for every player and I hear it everyday so I'm not even fazed by it.
FI: What got you interested in playing soccer?
MB: My dad put me in every sport and soccer just stuck. I played basketball, football, golf and swam, but soccer is the sport that stayed with me.
FI: What are your interests outside soccer?
MB: Nothing to special really. I'm pretty normal. I like to hangout with friends when I'm not focusing on soccer.
FI: What is your favorite food?
MB: I would have to say Pizza - cheese pizza.
FI: If you could travel anywhere in the world for soccer and/or recreation, where would you go?
MB: I would go somewhere in Africa. I've never been and I would like to learn more about my ancestry.
FI: What is your favorite movie?
MB: Friday
FI: What are your plans post professional soccer?
MB: Hopefully continue to work in soccer, maybe coach.
