Q: Can you quickly describe your playing experience (college, Club, professional, etc)?

 

 I have been playing soccer for 20+ years.  I played youth soccer in the state of Washington and played in 4 state finals and won 2 with my club team Allemania. I received a scholarship to the University of Washington and won 3 Pac-10 titles. After college, I was drafted and have played professional soccer for the past 5 years. I now play for the Seattle Sounders.

 

Q: Who has been the biggest influence on your coaching style? 

 

My college coaches at the University of Washington, Dean Wurzberger and Jimmy Gabriel. I really tried to soak up all that they had. I was always asking questions.

 

Q:  What are some of your hobbies and how else do you spend your free time?

 

I love sports, I try to watch and play them as much as I can. I played baseball, basketball and soccer growing up and I now have picked up golf. I also spend a lot of time with my friends and family, I am always doing something.

 

Q:  Who’s your favorite soccer player playing the game today?

 

I really like to watch Ronaldinho!

 

Q:  If you could play WITH any player in history who would it be?

 

Diego Maradona  

 

Q:  If you could see any team in the world play throughout history, which team would it be and who would they be playing against and at what venue?

 

It would be my University of Washington team my Junior year, against Manchester United team from 98/99 at Old Trafford. We would get crushed, but it would be a memory of a lifetime. We actually were fortunate enough to see an opening Man U match at Old Trafford as a team in 2001!

 

Q:  What’s your favorite food?

 

Malanaysa. It is a South American dish!

 

 Q:  What’s your favorite movie?

 

So many, where do I start!

 

Q:  How do you think youth sports, specifically soccer evolved since you were playing youth soccer?

 

It is crazy! I had no clue there were all these clubs and great players growing up. The level of coaching is getting better and better and players are so driven. It is really scary. I might not have made some of these teams!

 

Q:  What’s the best coaching advice you ever received as a player?

 

Have fun!

 

Q:  How has the average youth player changed since you played youth soccer and what do you contribute it to?

 

The skill level! I couldn’t juggle the ball 15 times, let alone do a V-pullback. It is truly fun to see how good some of these young players have gotten.  Players have more outlets to play and watch the game than ever before.

 

Q:  What club (if any) did you coach in prior to Northwest Nationals and why did you choose to coach in Northwest Nationals as opposed to another club?

 

I coached at Evergreen Soccer Academy and I chose to be at NWN’s because I feel that this is the club to be at in the state of Washington. There are highly competitive teams and coaches on both, boys and girls side. I am truly proud to be a part of NWN!!!