Last year was your rookie year in MLS, but you played and started in 18 games. What did it feel like to have your coach and your team have so much confidence in you during your first season?
RC: It was great. I knew coming in to the Quakes that I probably wasn't going to be able to start right away since I was new to the team. There were a lot of veteran guys on the team, so it was really exciting to be able to play next to them so early in my career.
What is your first soccer memory as a kid?
RC: My first memory of recreational soccer is when my mom used to dress me up in when I played. We had these really ugly green shorts that were really high-water and extremely short. So those were already bad, but to make it worse, my mom used to put me in these bright pink under-shorts that went all the way down to my knees underneath the green shorts. It was ridiculous.
What is a specific game that stands out in your mind from your recreational or high school soccer days?
RC: In high school, my team got to play in a tournament in England. My coach for some reason put me at center midfield, which is not my normal defensive position. But I'll never forget that game because I scored on a free kick from 35 yards out, and I'm pretty sure that will never happen again!
Besides playing soccer professionally, what is a job you would like to have?
RC: I would really like to own my own business some day. I majored in business in college so that's always been in the back of my mind. I applied to go back to school this fall to get a graduate degree in business as well, so it's a definite possibility in the future. I'm from Portland and since it always rains there, there's a big market for indoor sports facilities. I've always thought about opening and owning my own indoor soccer business back up in Oregon after my soccer career.
What is your favorite sport to watch or play besides soccer? Do you still keep up with it even though you're a professional soccer player?
RC: College basketball is my favorite sport to watch. I still keep up with all of the games, and definitely watch a lot of it around March Madness time. I live with some guys from the Earthquakes and four other players live right next to us, so we all play basketball with each other all of the time. We have courts right near our apartment. That's probably our favorite thing to do together as a team off of the practice field. We chill and have a good time, but we play basketball the most.
What does it feel like to run out onto the field at Spartan Stadium before each game?
RC: It's amazing running out on the field and hearing such great fans cheering for you. In other stadiums, the seats aren't so close to the field, but at Spartan the fans are like right there with you on the field. It's a great homey atmosphere here and I love playing at Spartan Stadium.
What is your biggest goal or dream as a professional soccer player that you hope to reach during your career?
RC: My biggest dream as a soccer player is to be named to the national team and to one day play in the World Cup. Every professional athlete dreams of representing their country in their sport, so that would definitely be my biggest goal.
