This is your first year with the Revs, but what was it like coming into a team with a few familiar faces in (former teammate at D.C. United) Clyde Simms and (former club coach) Jay Miller?
Clyde and Jay definitely made the process a lot easier, but it’s a great group of guys any way – a lot of younger guys just like it was in D.C., so it makes the transition process a lot easier. The guys pretty much welcomed me with open arms and it was a pretty smooth transition.
You scored your first Revolution – and second career – goal on May 5 at Real Salt Lake. Talk a little bit about that.
Honestly, it was just a little bit of weight off my shoulders. It’s been a while since I’ve had a league goal and being on a new team and having expectations … It was nice to get an early lead in that game even though it didn’t last. It definitely felt good and hopefully should make things a little easier going forward.
What was your most memorable soccer moment, either as kid or during your professional career?
Probably finding out that I was going to get the opportunity to be a professional. Even going in the Supplemental Draft, it meant that I had a chance, which is all really I wanted. I know a lot of people would give a lot for that opportunity and I felt really fortunate to have it.
Is there a player in particular that you model your game after?
I try to take little things from just about everybody. I don’t try to be too one-dimensional with my game; I try to keep it fresh and try to learn something new every time I step on the field. So nobody in particular. There’s just so many things that you can take from so many different players that if you put them all together, it can really make you difficult to defend.
How do you like living in New England, having grown up in Georgia and gone to school in South Carolina?
I keep moving further north! Last year I was in D.C. and this year I’m up here in Massachusetts. It’s been great so far. When I first got here, it was a little bit colder than I would probably like, but I can deal with that. It’s been really nice so far.
What are your favorite ways to spend your time off the field?
I love playing golf when I get the opportunity. My golf game is pretty up and down, but it’s a nice escape from everything and it’s four hours of just being outside and having a little time to yourself. Nothing too serious. That, and maybe a good nap every once in a while is always good too.
Do you have any pregame routines?
No, nothing that’s really set in stone. I like to try, not isolate myself, but definitely get myself in the zone and mentally prepare myself as best I can. I try to have a good pregame meal and have a good night’s sleep the night before, and just try to be focused and ready to go when the whistle blows.
If you could switch jobs with someone for one day, who would it be and why?
Man, I would say probably a professional golfer – maybe Bubba Watson or someone like that. He’s flying high right now with a Masters title and I just think it would be really cool to see what it’s like to play professional golf. It’s a different sport, a different game, but I think it would be a lot of fun to give it a shot, just to see what it’s like.
