Obtained in an Expansion Draft-day trade with the Vancouver Whitecaps, new Seattle Sounders striker O’Brian White arrived in Seattle last week to meet his teammates and begin strength training with fitness coach David Tenney.
The former Hermann Trophy winner comes to the Sounders after 24 appearances last season for Toronto FC, the team for whom most thought he would be an offensive savior. He’s certainly played well of late against the Sounders, scoring in a 2-0 TFC win at BMO Field last April and notching an assist during a 3-2 Reds loss at Qwest Field in October.
MLSSoccer.com recently spoke with the 25-year-old Jamaican about his early impressions of Seattle, his goals with his new club, and his experiences with the MLS SuperDraft.
MLSsoccer.com: Have you spoken with anyone on the technical staff about your role in the team?
White: Just briefly. When they get back from the draft, we’ll talk more in-depth and in person, so that’s where we are. I’m just looking forward to coming into this team and training hard.
MLSsoccer.com: What are your early impressions of Seattle, the Qwest Field crowd, and the organization?
White: It’s a great atmosphere. It’s something I remember from when I played against [the Sounders] with Toronto. The atmosphere was electrifying. I think it’s a good city to come play in. Talking to the guys, they love the city and they say it’s a great team to play for.
MLSsoccer.com: Seattle’s never really had a striker that can stretch a defense with speed and give fullbacks something to worry about. Is that something you can provide that’s a little bit different than Fredy Montero or Blaise Nkufo?
White: Definitely. They are both good players, but it’s always good to add another dynamic to the team.
MLSsoccer.com: Sometimes with a knee injury, it takes a couple years to get back to full strength. Do you feel like your legs are under you and you have the quickness you had before the injury?
White: Yeah, definitely. My first year was just getting back. Last year, I felt OK, but this year I am getting back to [feeling like)]myself fully. That’s one of the reasons I came over [to Seattle] early, to get the training I am going to need to prepare for the season.
MLSsoccer.com: It’s still early, but have you set any personal goals for 2011?
White: I am just looking forward to coming to a different environment, a different city. My goal is to just help the team as much as possible.
MLSsoccer.com: What do you remember from the SuperDraft process and the Player Combine?
White: Personally, I didn’t go to the Combine because I was injured. But over the years, I have talked to guys that have been there -- it’s a just a few days that you get play and be yourself. You just have to let the coaches get a good impression of you. Most teams know who they want before even they get to the Combine. The Combine is just to finalize it. The scouting has gotten better over the years and I think it’s just going to progress.
MLSsoccer.com: Any thoughts for the incoming college players?
White: The one piece of advice I would give is that it’s a very long season. You really have to take care of your body, that’s one of the biggest things. The college season is only three to four months. Here, it’s almost eight months.
