ISSUE 10 | MARCH 2018
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IN THIS ISSUE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ROBERT CASNER
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CREATIVE DIRECTOR TY KREFT ASSISTANT EDITORS ALEX CAULFIELD DANNY CIACCIO RYAN KRASNOO KELLY SCHUTZ KYLE SHELDON MATT WINTER COVER ILLUSTRATOR DAN LEYDON CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS HANA ASANO MIKE FIECHTNER JANE GERSHOVICH JONATHAN GRIFFITH ROBERT MORA CORKY TREWIN CHARIS WILSON GETTY IMAGES USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES
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CLOSER LOOK
Chad Marshall takes aim in Chula Vista, Cristian Roldan delivers roses and Jordan McCrary limbers up in El Salvador
2018 SCHEDULE
34 matches over nine months... Let's do this!
11 MEET THE TEAM
Get to know a little bit about your 2018 Sounders FC First Team
12 CLUB, COUNTRY, KIN
2018 will be the biggest year yet for Cristian Roldan
WORDS BY RYAN KRASNOO
22 BEATING BRAZIL
A look back on the USMNT's massive upset of Brazil in the 1998 Gold Cup
WORDS BY RYAN KRASNOO
30 Q&A: SAM ROGERS © 2018 BY MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER, LLC AND SEATTLE SOCCER, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART WITHOUT WRITTEN CONSENT OF SEATTLE SOCCER, LLC IS PROHIBITED. SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC 159 SOUTH JACKSON, SUITE 200 SEATTLE, WA 98104 887-MLS-GOAL SOUNDERSFC.COM
18-year-old S2 center back Sam Rogers opens up about his first year of professional soccer
38 10 QUESTIONS: CHAD MARSHALL
Defensive stalwart Chad Marshall answers the important questions
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CLOSER LOOK
JANUARY 25, 2018
Chad Marshall lines up to fire an arrow at the Easton Archery Center of Excellence. Following a training session at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, a handful of players received archery lessons from professional bowmen.
FEBRUARY 13, 2018
Cristian Roldan poses for a photo during the club’s Marketing Day at Starfire Sports. During preseason, players rotate to different stations to gather creative and digital assets for the year… This one was used on Valentine’s Day, of course!
FEBRUARY 21, 2018
Fullback Jordan McCrary stretches ahead of the team's training session in Santa Tecla, El Salvador. McCrary, acquired in the offseason via Toronto FC II, played the full 90 minutes against Santa Tecla in Leg One of the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions League.
2018 SCHEDULE DATE
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 THURSDAY, MARCH 1 SUNDAY, MARCH 4 SUNDAY, MARCH 18 SATURDAY, MARCH 31 SUNDAY, APRIL 15 SUNDAY, APRIL 22 SUNDAY, APRIL 29 SATURDAY, MAY 5 WEDNESDAY, MAY 9 SUNDAY, MAY 13 SATURDAY, MAY 26 SATURDAY, JUNE 2 SATURDAY, JUNE 9 WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13 SATURDAY, JUNE 23 SATURDAY, JUNE 30 WEDNESDAY, JULY 4 SATURDAY, JULY 7 SUNDAY, JULY 15 SATURDAY, JULY 21 WEDNESDAY, JULY 25 SUNDAY, JULY 29 SATURDAY, AUGUST 4 SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28
OPPONENT
SANTA TECLA FC SANTA TECLA FC LAFC FC DALLAS MONTREAL IMPACT SPORTING KC MINNESOTA UNITED FC LAFC COLUMBUS CREW TORONTO FC PORTLAND TIMBERS REAL SALT LAKE REAL SALT LAKE D.C. UNITED NEW YORK RED BULLS CHICAGO FIRE PORTLAND TIMBERS COLORADO RAPIDS NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION ATLANTA UNITED FC VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES NEW YORK CITY FC MINNESOTA UNITED FC FC DALLAS LA GALAXY PORTLAND TIMBERS SPORTING KC VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC PHILADELPHIA UNION LA GALAXY COLORADO RAPIDS HOUSTON DYNAMO ORLANDO CITY SC HOUSTON DYNAMO SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
TIME
WATCH ON
7:00 PM 7:00 PM 2:00 PM 2:00 PM 7:00 PM 1:00 PM 1:00 PM 6:00 PM 1:00 PM 4:30 PM 1:00 PM 1:30 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM 5:00 PM 7:00 PM 1:30 PM 6:00 PM 4:30 PM 11:00 AM 1:00 PM 7:30 PM 2:00 PM 5:00 PM 5:00 PM 1:00 PM 6:30 PM 1:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 4:00 PM 1:00 PM TBD 4:30 PM TBD 1:30 PM
GO90 GO90 ESPN JOETV JOETV ESPN ESPN FS1 JOETV FS1 ESPN JOETV JOETV JOETV JOETV JOETV FOX JOETV JOETV FOX JOETV JOETV ESPN JOETV FS1 ESPN FS1 JOETV JOETV JOETV FS1 JOETV JOETV JOETV JOETV JOETV
RESULT L
1-2
MATCH DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. ALL TIME PACIFIC. MORE INFO AT SOUNDERSFC.COM/SCHEDULE
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MEET THE TEAM
A: TIGER
TONY ALFARO
#15 | DEFENDER
OSVALDO ALONSO
CALLE BROWN
#6 | MIDFIELDER
#25 | GOALKEEPER
A: PUMA
MAGNUS WOLFF EIKREM
WAYLON FRANCIS
STEFAN FREI
KIM KEE-HEE
JORDAN MCCRARY
BRYAN MEREDITH
JORDAN MORRIS
LAMAR NEAGLE
GUSTAV SVENSSON
NOUHOU
ROMÁN TORRES
HENRY WINGO
#22 | MIDFIELDER
#30 | DEFENDER
#4 | MIDFIELDER
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#90 | DEFENDER
#35 | GOALKEEPER
#5 | DEFENDER
#24 | GOALKEEPER
#13 | FORWARD
#29 | DEFENDER
#20 | DEFENDER
#27 | FORWARD
#23 | MIDFIELDER
Q: WHAT IS YOUR DREAM PET?
A: GRIZZLY BEAR
WILL BRUIN
#17 | FORWARD
HANDWALLA BWANA #70 | MIDFIELDER
JORDY DELEM
CLINT DEMPSEY
#21 | MIDFIELDER
#2 | FORWARD
A: VELOCIRAPTOR
KELVIN LEERDAM #18 | DEFENDER
NICOLÁS LODEIRO #10 | MIDFIELDER
CHAD MARSHALL
ZACH MATHERS
#14 | DEFENDER
#32 | MIDFIELDER
A: KOALA
VÍCTOR RODRÍGUEZ #8 | MIDFIELDER
CRISTIAN ROLDAN #7 | MIDFIELDER
TECHNICAL STAFF
ALEX ROLDAN
HARRY SHIPP
#16 | MIDFIELDER
#19 | MIDFIELDER
BRIAN SCHMETZER
DAMIAN RODEN
DJIMI TRAORE
RAVI RAMINENI
GENERAL MANAGER & PRESIDENT OF SOCCER
GONZALO PINEDA
JOHN HUTCHINSON
CHRIS HENDERSON
PREKI
WADE WEBBER
TOM DUTRA
MARC NICHOLLS
GARTH LAGERWEY
VP OF SOCCER & SPORTING DIRECTOR
NOT PICTURED: FORWARD SEYI ADEKOYA
HEAD COACH
ASSISTANT COACH ASSISTANT COACH ASSISTANT COACH
CLUB DIRECTOR OF GOALKEEPING
HIGH PERFORMANCE DIRECTOR DIRECTOR OF SOCCER ANALY TICS S2 HEAD COACH
S2 ASSISTANT COACH DIRECTOR OF PL AYER DEVELOPMENT
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by Ryan Krasnoo
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As the Seattle Sounders began their preseason in Chula Vista, Calif., there were two noticeable absences. Forward Jordan Morris and midfielder Cristian Roldan were each about an hour north in Los Angeles, training with the United States national team at January camp ahead of a friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which Roldan and Morris both started in the scoreless draw on January 28. The camp was Roldan’s second after being called in last summer for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and he was eager to make this go-around count just as much as the first. “It’s extremely positive to be back,” Roldan said while at camp. “It’s a privilege and an honor to be back and be called into camp, whether it’s your first one or your last one. You don’t want to take it for granted.” Roldan earned his first cap in a start against Martinique in the Gold Cup group stage last summer, and he suddenly joined a cast of U.S. players with little to no international experience at January camp. This marked a strong contrast to previous years, and without a World Cup to look forward to this summer, represented an emblematic changing of the guard as the USMNT rebuilds. “In a way, yes,” Roldan said when asked if the vibe of the team was different given it won’t be heading to Russia. “With this young group, we don’t know what to expect. We don’t have a lot of caps all together as a group, so we’re just trying to take it step by step and make a lasting impression on the coaching staff. “It’s a positive start,” he continued. “It starts with a good base, a good foundation. Young guys, especially in MLS, have been doing well. We’re excited about this group.”
CRISTIAN ROLDAN TRAINS WITH THE UNITED STATES MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM DURING 2018 JANUARY TRAINING CAMP
Roldan hit the ground running with the Sounders following his return from U.S. camp last summer, scoring three goals in his first two matches and helping Seattle go 5-0-1 in his first six games back. He credits the pace of the international game, which has spurred an even quicker development from someone who is becoming one of the best box-to-box midfielders in MLS. “When I got back, the game slowed down a little bit,” Roldan said. “[The Sounders] had me playing as a No. 10 in a more attacking role, so I was definitely seeing a little bit more and scored a couple more goals. The speed of play is ultimately what got me there. Playing with talented guys and the fitness I gathered from the Gold Cup definitely helped spark my midseason form.” After a breakout year that saw Roldan lead the league in tackles and duels
THE SPEED OF PLAY IS ULTIMATELY WHAT GOT ME THERE. PLAYING WITH TALENTED GUYS AND THE FITNESS I GATHERED FROM THE GOLD CUP DEFINITELY HELPED SPARK MY FORM. CRISTIAN ROLDAN ON HOW TRAINING WITH THE USMNT HAS BENEFITED HIM 15
SCOUTING
REPORT
Steve Zakuani breaks down the upcoming Sounders FC matchup with the Quest Diagnostics Scouting Report Watch the latest episode on SOUNDERSFC.COM
The Scouting Report is presented by Quest Diagnostics, good health starts with knowing.
won, score a career-high six goals while playing on a Best XI-caliber level, 2018 will be a massive opportunity for him to cement his place with the U.S. for the foreseeable future. If all goes well, a spot on the 2022 World Cup roster in Qatar may very well await. “Hopefully I’ve made a lasting impression and hopefully I can continue in that way,” Roldan said. “I’m excited. The international career is a tough one, but I want to make the most of it.”
ROLDAN SHIELDS THE BALL FROM AN OPPONENT IN A MATCH AGAINST THE VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
“I want to solidify myself as a professional,” Roldan said humbly. “I don’t think I’ve solidified myself enough.” Despite the short offseason the alwayspersonable Roldan was eager to meet some of the new faces and see the group that has reached the past two MLS Cups. He called the acquisition of Costa Rican fullback Waylon Francis “an awesome pickup” and lauded the simplicity of Wolff Eikrem’s game.
Roldan, still only 22, is entering his fourth professional season and is nowhere near satisfied. He’s also perhaps the most sure-thing in the Sounders’ midfield at his spot as a defensive midfielder. Osvaldo Alonso nursed an injury throughout the preseason, while the club still looks for the best fit in the attack with Clint Dempsey, Víctor Rodríguez, Magnus Wolff Eikrem and Nicolás Lodeiro.
“You can talk about guys like Handwalla [Bwana], who’s very technically gifted and knows the Sounders organization pretty well. It’s a fantastic group, and it makes for a competitive team. We’re excited to have that.”
A huge opportunity awaits for Roldan to emerge as the most consistent cog in the center of the park.
Also competing in the midfield is Roldan’s younger brother, Alex, a First Round MLS SuperDraft selection out of Seattle
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CRISTIAN ROLDAN POSES WITH HIS BROTHER ALEX AFTER HE SIGNED HIS FIRST PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT WITH SOUNDERS FC
University. Cristian is excited to have the opportunity to train alongside his brother as professionals on the same team, and he’s treating the situation like any big brother would. “I’m his roommate,” Cristian said. “We’re able to talk about certain things, and if he has any questions, it’s fantastic that I’m there. On the field, we’re competitive guys. I don’t want to lose to Alex very often, so it makes for a really good dynamic. “Alex being here as a rookie,” Cristian continued with a smile, “it’s great because I can bully him around a little bit and let him take the water bottles instead of me doing it.” Alex made his professional debut as a reserve in the Rave Green’s 2-1 loss to Santa Tecla
ALEX BEING HERE AS A ROOKIE, IT'S GREAT BECAUSE I CAN BULLY HIM AROUND A LITTLE BIT AND LET HIM TAKE THE WATER BOTTLES INSTEAD OF ME DOING IT. ON HIS BROTHER ALEX BEING A NEW TEAMMATE 18
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FC in the 2018 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League Round of 16 first leg on February 22. He played for 30 minutes alongside his brother in the midfield, and had the unique opportunity of making his debut in front of family and friends because their mother is from El Salvador.
Stripes for the next decade, 2018 will undoubtedly be a massive year for Cristian.
“I’m very happy to be able to play in front of my family and the opportunity to play in Champions League,” said Cristian following the match. “It’s a big deal.”
The reigning Team MVP has surpassed expectations in each of his three MLS seasons – there’s no reason to think the best is yet to come.
Whether it’s mentoring his little brother and other young promising players, such as Bwana or Henry Wingo, or solidifying his status as an anchor for the Stars and
“I want to keep growing as a player and as a human being and step into the national team as a regular. It continues with the Sounders.”
ROLDAN CELEBRATES AFTER SCORING AGAINST D.C. UNITED IN A 4-3 WIN AT CENTURYLINK FIELD LAST JULY
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PREKI CELEBRATES WITH USMNT TEAMMATES AFTER THE FINAL WHISTLE
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THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME THE UNITED STATES MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM BEAT BRAZIL, THE MATCH ITSELF NEARLY DIDN’T HAPPEN. TORRENTIAL RAIN BOMBARDED SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ON FEB. 20, 1998, AHEAD OF THE GOLD CUP SEMIFINAL, AND U.S. GOALKEEPER KASEY KELLER HOPED IT WOULD BE POSTPONED. HE HAD JUST FLOWN TO LOS ANGELES FROM LEICESTER, ENGLAND, AND WAS JETLAGGED. GOLD CUPS USED TO NOT FALL ON RECOGNIZED FIFA DATES, SO KELLER WAS ONLY ABLE TO PLAY IN THE SEMIFINAL AND FINAL. GIVEN THE TASK THE U.S. WERE UP AGAINST, THOUGH, HE WASN’T SURE EVEN ONE EXTRA DAY OF REST WOULD HELP. BRAZIL ENTERED AS THE REIGNING WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS. THEY WERE HEADING TO FRANCE THAT SUMMER AS TITLE CONTENDERS YET AGAIN AND FEATURED SOME OF THE GAME’S MOST TALENTED PLAYERS AT EVERY POSITION, LED BY 1994 WORLD CUP GOLDEN BALL WINNER AND FIFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR ROMARIO. 24
“I remember looking at the lineup that comes out against you,” Keller said. “Brazil is a world All-Star team, and you look at the team and the strike force that they have. You’re like, ‘Well, this could be a long day.’” Keller’s teammate, Preki, remembers thinking the same thing. The 34-year-old forward had forged a great career in indoor soccer with the Tacoma Stars alongside Seattle Sounders Head Coach Brian Schmetzer, on multiple teams in Europe and back in MLS where he led the Kansas City Wizards to a championship with current Sounders Vice President of Soccer & Sporting Director Chris Henderson. Preki was exactly the type of crafty player who could come on and provide an offensive spark, and he looked on anxiously as Brazil brought the house to the Americans. “We were getting beat up by Brazil,” Preki said. “But I remember Kasey having one of those nights that comes once in your lifetime.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------The saves just kept coming. One after the next, a Brazilian barrage battered the United States’ back line, and one after the next, Keller turned them away. A diving save to his left. A reaction save to his right. High shots. Low shots. Each one destined for goal only to be snatched away at the last moment. The U.S. survived the first half, unscathed as they headed into the locker room. “You still didn’t really think you had a chance,” Keller said. “You just thought that you were staying in this thing.” Brazil’s best chance in the first half came on a cross to an open Romario at the far post. One of the world’s most lethal forwards had a free header from point-blank range, surely about to break the deadlock and open the floodgates, when Keller dove to his right and miraculously kept it out and smothered the rebound. Then, to Keller’s bewilderment, Romario stood over him and waited for him to get up.
When Keller rose to his feet, Romario extended his hand, shaking Keller’s in an act of respect. “[Romario] was so frustrated, he just didn’t know what to do,” Keller recalled. “I never had it happen before and I never had it happen again where a player just shook my hand in the middle of the game. That gets replayed over and over, it’s a special moment.” After the match, Romario made more headlines when he said, “That was the greatest performance by a goalkeeper I’ve ever seen.” Despite Keller’s virtuoso performance, he never really believed the U.S. had a chance. He had had great games before, only to lose 1-0 or 2-1, unable to get the result, but he always judged his play on whether or not he was able to help his team earn points. Given the quality on the pitch, he didn’t think he’d be able to do anything but keep the scoreline respectable.
THIS GAME IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL GAME BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT CAN HAPPEN, AND I GOT THAT ONE MOMENT. PREKI
FORMER USMNT PLAYER & CURRENT SOUNDERS FC ASSISTANT COACH
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KELLER COLLECTS THE BALL DURING THE 1998 GOLD CUP MATCH
Brazil made some second-half adjustments, bringing on fresh legs and applying more pressure, tension growing the longer they went without finding the back of the net. Keller remembers one of his future club teammates at Borussia Monchengladbach, Giované Elber, a player who had a fantastic career at Bayern Munich, entering as a substitute and just how much depth they had. “We were just hanging on for dear life from the beginning, getting the odd counter and getting the off clearance and trying to hold the ball higher up the field and relieve some pressure,” Keller said. “Then they’re bringing on players like this. You’re thinking one of these guys is going to do something special.” But still nothing matriculated for Brazil. At one point Keller dove the wrong way on a shot that was deflected whence he came. He extended his leg at the last moment and dragged the ball with his toe around the post and out of danger. “There’s still this thought that there’s so much talent on this [Brazil] team that somebody is going to do something that I
can’t save,” Keller said. “But if I can dive the wrong way and still make the save, there’s a good chance that maybe we have something special going on here.” With the match still scoreless on the hour mark, Preki checked in. He was still relatively new with the national team after becoming a naturalized citizen from the former Yugoslavia. He was good in possession and the hope was that he would be able to kill some clock and help the U.S. get more time on the ball.
THAT WAS THE GREATEST PERFORMANCE BY A GOALKEEPER I'VE EVER SEEN. ROMARIO
FORMER BRAZILIAN NATIONAL TEAM STRIKER
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KELLER AND PREKI CELEBRATE AFTERTHE HISTORIC WIN
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“Honestly, if we would have lost that game 7-0, that would have probably been a fair result,” Preki said. “But that’s why this game is such a beautiful game because you never know what can happen, and I got that one moment.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------The best players in any sport all have one thing in common: They can beat their opponents even when they know what’s coming. Every player on Brazil knew what Preki wanted to do when he received the ball from Eric Wynalda at the top of the box in the 65th minute, and it didn’t matter. “His left foot is incredible,” Keller said of Preki. “You know he’s going to chop you, you know he’s going to bring it back onto his left foot, and you can’t do anything about it. You know what he’s going to do, and it’s still so good and he still beats you. Preki did that at every level he played.”
NOTHING WILL TAKE AWAY THE NIGHT WE WERE ABLE TO BEAT BRAZIL. KASEY KELLER
FORMER USMNT GOALKEEPER
he returned to England following the tournament. The U.S. fell 1-0 at the hands of Mexico in the final, a bitter ending to an underdog story the likes of which still hangs in the annals of U.S. Soccer. “It was a FIFA event, it wasn’t a friendly,” Keller said. “It was a game against the No. 1 team in the world, a game against the previous Golden Boot winner, against European Golden Boot winners.
Preki faked a shot, chopped the ball behind himself to the left, stutter stepped and then fired a left-footed howitzer into the near corner that goalkeeper Cláudio Taffarel could do nothing about.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to finish that Gold Cup off…which brought us all back down to Earth a little bit. But nothing will take away the night that we were able to beat Brazil.”
Somehow, improbably, the U.S. were not only hanging with Brazil, they had taken the lead. But Keller had little time to celebrate.
Twenty years later, that match still resonates. Keller is now an ESPN and Sounders broadcaster after playing his final three years as a professional with Seattle from 2009-11. After stints as a head coach in MLS and USL, Preki enters his first season as an assistant with the Sounders, rejoining Schmetzer and Henderson.
“Oh boy, here really comes the onslaught,” Keller remembers thinking. “Here comes that real pressure.” Wave after wave of Brazilian attacks came and went, but it wasn’t to be. For the first time in eight tries, the United States had knocked off Brazil, a feat they have not replicated in 10 tries since. Brazil is 17-1 all time against the Americans with a 39-12 goal differential, the only blemish that rainy February day 20 years ago. “I remember after the game, it was hard to describe because we had just beaten Brazil after all those moments that they had,” Preki said. “Kasey put us in that position to make the moment that I had.”
“In some ways, it feels like it was yesterday, in some ways it feels like it was 20 years ago,” Keller said. “Retrospectively, to think that 20 years later people are still talking about it puts it more into perspective...With Preki scoring and the team holding on, that’s what makes it extremely special.” Added Preki with a smile: “It was a great moment. It’s always going to be there.”
Keller said the match didn’t sink in until
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THE 18-YEAR-OLD SEATTLE NATIVE DISCUSSES HIS FIRST YEAR WITH S2, WHAT HE EXPECTS IN 2018 AND MORE
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2018 IS SHAPING UP TO BE A BIG YEAR FOR SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC 2 DEFENDER SAM ROGERS. THE 18-YEAR-OLD HOMEGROWN PRODUCT FROM BALLARD HIGH SCHOOL ENTERS HIS SECOND PROFESSIONAL SEASON WITH S2 AND THE FIRST IN TACOMA, AS THE SOUNDERS’ USL AFFILIATE HAS MOVED FROM STARFIRE SPORTS IN TUKWILA TO CHENEY FIELD, THE HOME OF THE TACOMA RAINIERS. WE CAUGHT UP WITH ROGERS IN CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA, DURING PRESEASON TRAINING WITH THE FIRST TEAM.
DESCRIBE WHAT 2017 WAS LIKE FOR YOU, FROM GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL TO LEARNING A NEW POSITION AND SIGNING A PRO CONTRACT.
It was pretty fast how all things went. It was a really good year in terms of development and experience, playing with S2 and getting a couple games with the First Team at Open Cup. I really enjoyed it; it was a lot of fun. It was a lot of learning and know what it takes to not just play for S2, but to make it to the First Team and play in MLS.
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST THING YOU LEARNED OVER THE PAST YEAR?
I learned a lot on how to take care of myself better. Coming from the Academy, you’re young so you don’t have to worry about muscle injuries and all that. But you must take of yourself so you can play for the whole season, which I know is important.
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PLAYING WITH S2 AND GETTING A COUPLE GAMES WITH THE FIRST TEAM AT OPEN CUP... I REALLY ENJOYED IT. IT WAS A LOT OF LEARNING ON HIS EXPERIENCE BECOMING A PRO IN 2017
ROGERS TRAINING WITH THE FIRST TEAM DURING PRESEASON IN CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA
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HEAD COACH BRIAN SCHMETZER SPEAKS WITH ROGERS AFTER HIS FIRST TEAM DEBUT IN LAST YEAR'S OPEN CUP MATCH AGAINST PORTLAND
YOU PLAYED AS A DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER IN THE ACADEMY, BUT WITH S2 YOU TRANSITIONED TO CENTER BACK. HOW HAS THAT PROCESS BEEN FOR YOU?
It’s going well. It was definitely a big change because I played a little bit of center back my U-18 year, but there are a lot of learning points and mistakes to learn from. Overall, I think I am getting better and developing. I want to keep getting better and faster and get to the [First Team] as fast as I possibly can to make a difference.
DID YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WAS RUSHED LAST YEAR, OR WERE YOU AT PEACE WITH IT KNOWING IT'S WHAT YOU'VE BEEN STRIVING TOWARD?
I have always prepared for it, I just didn’t think it would be happening last year. Here I am now, one year later, already with a year of experience under my belt. It’s been really good knowing it’s been a year and there’s a lot more years to come. To take last year’s experience, there are things now that will help me. It’s also been a year in the professional system, so I know what they want out of me and what I have to do to make that happen.
WHAT'S YOUR EXPERIENCE BEEN LIKE WITH THE U.S. NATIONAL TEAM AT YOUTH LEVEL?
I went into [U.S.] camp when I was 16, so I haven’t been since. I want to get back there, so I got to get better here and show that I deserve to be there and make a difference.
IT WAS DEFINITELY A BIG CHANGE... BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF LEARNING POINTS AND MISTAKES TO LEARN FROM. ON THE TRANSITION FROM DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD TO CENTER BACK 35
I will keep working and do what I can to get back there as soon as possible.
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO LEARN FROM GUYS LIKE CHAD MARSHALL AND ROMÁN TORRES?
It’s great because Chad is a three-time MLS Defender of the Year. He’s played on the national team. He’s exactly the kind of defender you want to be looking at. To be able to play with him and train with him is just so helpful. He gives me advice and tips when we’re playing and off the field. And Román is obviously going to the World Cup. He’s been a big, big part of this team, and he’s very good. Playing with him and watching him up close has been so helpful for my own development.
YOU'RE A SEATTLE GUY. WHAT'S IT BEEN LIKE FOR YOU TO GROW UP AROUND THIS CLUB?
That’s one really cool thing to think about because I remember the first year, thinking, ‘I want to play for them one day’ like every kid thinks. To see that it’s happening is super cool and I am proud of myself, but there is still a long way to go. To see how the city has grown [around the club] since then is unbelievable. A nine-year spell and the team is one of the best in the league, if not the best. To see how much it has grown in the city and the community, and from a national standpoint, has been incredible.
DID YOU GO TO ANY MATCHES AS A FAN IN THE EARLY YEARS?
I went to a few games in the first year at CenturyLink. I just remember watching, ‘I want to play there one day,’ and then I got to ball boy a bunch of games when I was a U-14 Academy player, and just being right there on the field with them was a great thing to see. It has always stuck with me because I wanted to be there, having ball kids watching me.”
WHAT IS YOUR GOAL FOR 2018?
I want to sign with the First Team this year if I can. Do whatever it takes to get there. If it doesn’t happen, I want to do very well with S2 and start as many games as I can, keep clean sheets. Do whatever it takes to get here full time.
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ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD ON YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE CLUB SO FAR?
All of the guys on this team are great. They are really nice, really kind. They take you under their wing, they want you to get better to help the team. They all want to win, which is something that’s nice. They all love winning; they want to win a cup. The coaching staff is unbelievable. They have so much experience and they are always there for you. They can be hard, but they aren’t saying stuff or doing stuff to make you feel bad about yourself. They are saying stuff because they know you are worth it to them. It’s nice to have that, too, not to have coaches who are bagging on you all the time. They can be stern with you, but they have it in their best interest. They care about you, which is nice for the Academy kids, too, because they are 15, 16, 17 and it can be overwhelming, but it’s a great atmosphere. The city is also a great atmosphere for the club, and the club does a lot for the city, too. It’s a great situation to be in. It’s a great city for soccer.
ALL OF THE GUYS ON THIS TEAM ARE GREAT. THEY TAKE YOU UNDER THEIR WING. THEY WANT YOU TO GET BETTER TO HELP THE TEAM. THEY ALL WANT TO WIN. ON HIS IMPRESSION OF THE FIRST TEAM PLAYERS
ROGERS MAKES HIS FIRST TEAM DEBUT IN LAST YEAR'S OPEN CUP MATCH AGAINST PORTLAND
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CHAD MARSHALL IS THE REIGNING SOUNDERS FC DEFENDER OF THE YEAR AND A THREE-TIME MLS DEFENDER OF THE YEAR. 2018 MARKS HIS 15TH YEAR IN THE LEAGUE AS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BEST UNITED STATES CENTER BACKS EVER.
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SCARVES UP! LIKE, 30,000 FEET UP. YOU CAN’T STOP SOUNDERS FC. OFFICIAL AIRLINE
Experience the danger and beauty of competitive racing at the limit with the most comprehensive automotive game ever made. Available now. Xbox is a Proud Partner of Seattle Sounders FC
Xbox and Sounders FC are proud to partner with many local community organizations to present the Sounders FC Dream Team!