1. You were the first player Coach Hamlett subbed in at Real Salt Lake. What was going through your head as you were waiting to be subbed in? What did Denis tell you?
It was just total excitement. You dream your whole life of playing professional soccer, and the first time you're getting subbed in its surreal. You kind of don't really know what's going on, your mind's racing so fast and you're just excited. There's a little nerves, your adrenalin is pumping. All coach said was that he was putting me in for a reason, he believes in me, just go out there and do my best and that's what I tried to do and not make mistakes. The best word is just excitement.
2. In the 4-0 win over New England, you came in for Tomasz Frankowski, who already had 2 goals in the game. How was the game atmosphere at Toyota Park? What advantages are there at Toyota Park vs. playing in the other MLS stadiums you've played in?
I haven't seen too many places yet but our fans especially the ones behind the goal, Section 8, are awesome. They are cheering the whole game! They make it really fun to play and really put in that extra effort to make the fans happy at Toyota Park. It was great. The game was going really well, obviously we were up 4-0 at halftime, and to get put into that game... it was fun and it gets you motivated to come to practice each day when you know on the weekends there's going to be those fans there for you.
3. Talk about your first career start at San Jose.
It was great too, when I came into the season I didn't think I'd get the opportunities that I have so far this early, so obviously getting put in against San Jose, I just tried to do my best, took what the coaches were telling me to do and perform in my role as best as possible. It was great experience. It was their home opener, so San Jose had all the stress because they were trying to do well in front of their fans for the first time. It was fun.
4. How has the adjustment been from college to MLS as far as difference in style, pace, tactics, etc.?
There definitely is a learning curve, but I went to the University of Maryland which is one of the top programs in the country. I think that Sasho Cirovski, the coach there, and the atmosphere there really prepared me well for this. But there definitely is a jump, and the biggest jump is tactically just playing with guys that are much more experienced and older. It's a lot more of a mental struggle than physical.
5. What do you bring to the team?
I think I bring a lot of composure on the ball. I feel like I have good passing abilities. I'm a guy that's going to work hard, kind of has a blue collar mentality and will do the dirty work. I feel like this year my role is to work as hard as possible, be an honest player and let the older more experienced guys kind of lead in their ways.
6. Who has been your biggest mentor on this team so far and how have they helped you out?
My biggest mentor is Logan Pause. We kind of play a similar type of style of play - a lot of hard work. We do a lot of the dirty work. Defensively, he's the guy that strings everyone together, makes sure everyone's in the right spot. I feel like he's been a good guy that's given me advice and said that he's appreciated what I've brought to the team - and little things here and there he's adjusted for me to help me along.
7. Blanco has his pose; do you have anything planned for your first MLS goal?
I have nothing planned. If I score a goal, it's going to be whatever is happening at that moment, whatever I'm thinking at that moment. Hopefully it happens sooner than later, but we'll see what happens.
8. How do you like the city of Chicago?
It's great. I had never been to Chicago before this preseason and now that I'm settled in and get to see the city each day because I live in the city. It's an amazing city. I can't wait for the summer when you can actually be outside and enjoy it more, but it seems like an incredible place.
What is your impression of Fire fans?
Fire fans have been wonderful so far. They seem really knowledgeable about the game. Soccer is still growing in this country, but you can tell when you are in Toyota Park that the fans understand the game, they know when to cheer when something is not that great. So far, they just seem real passionate about the team, they embrace the team. I'm excited to play again this weekend.
9. Which team are you most eager to play against and why?
Obviously, LA playing against David Beckham and Landon Donovan is going to be a little cool. I don't want to say I'll be in awe. I've watched them growing up and being on the same field with them or just seeing them play it's going to be cool. Every team has some special players on it.
10. Do you speak any other languages?
No, that's one thing I'm going to need to work on because there's a lot of Spanish speakers on this team and I only speak English.
How do you communicate with teammates, like Blanco and other Spanish speaking teammates?
Someone like Diego who can speak both English and Spanish will translate. If Blanco wants to say something to me, Diego will be right there and translate it for me and it goes both ways.
And Frankowski?
We speak fine together. He's fluent in 4 or 5 different languages. Dialogue there is fine, there's no issue with that.
11. What advice do you have for young players looking to play in MLS someday?
Just keep working hard and always prepare yourself so that when the opportunity comes where you can impress a coach or people who are recruiting, you are always playing your best. You never know who is watching your games no matter how small the game is, so just always play as hard as you can and practice.
