By Andrew Rogers
 
How did you get called up to the U-20’s?

I was part of the residency and it grew from there, I guess the coach liked what I was doing in Portugal and this is another opportunity to show what I can do.

What are your thoughts on the Portuguese camp it did not go as many would have expected?

We didn’t get the results we wanted to, we hadn’t played together so it was rusty. We did well against Northern Ireland, but not playing with the guys on a day to day basis makes a big difference, in terms of bonding and knowing where your team mates want the ball and how they like it.

What is the U-20 like?

Coach Rongen wants us to be physically fit we have to be fit to play. Once in the environment don’t hold anything back, your optimum is what is required at all times, there is also the mental approach of toughness, and winning. There is also demands placed on us technically, the higher you go, the greater your touch has to be, and as a former Ajax player coach Rongen places a big emphasis on this.

Can you describe what its like to play in England, most kids dream of it…

It was amazing, the passion and desire is the best. It’s the home of football, and everybody loves the game and that’s where you want to be. I enjoyed the experiences and showing how far American soccer has come.

The team certainly put down a marker with its performances….

That was a great experience for us to play against England’s top class clubs on their turf. It was just great we were able to pull off some great wins but it was a shame we could not play at Anfield, but it was a tour that helped us as team, we grew in confidence and it helped us with our mentality as a team and coming together.

We played well considering we had not played together much, we learnt a lot from Portugal and took it to England and showed what we learned and brought it together in the two games. I was able to get some success, the two goals against Manchester United…I was really happy about!

What has been the impact on yourself with those performances?

My confidence levels have definitely grown since that game, you don’t expect to go to Manchester United and score two goals that can help the team. You don’t expect those things but as a football players that is what you aim for, and before every game that is what you tell yourself, because that’s what a striker is meant to do score. It doesn’t matter against who or when, when you get the opportunities you have to put them away. I felt I got a bit lucky to get the opportunities but you still have to put them away. With the hard work and everything it came together.

How about Mexico that was another good step forward for the side…

At any level U-17’s or seniors, any team that play against Mexico is a big rivalry. Our first team took care of things and we had to take care of things. The two countries have been playing each other for a long time now. The game is a battle and its rough and physical, its not the prettiest of soccer but at the end of the day its who puts it in the net, and I was happy I could do a good job for the team.

And the atmosphere and environment?

In front of a crowd like that it was about who showed the most passion and desire for the game, who wanted the ball. We couldn’t be scared when we went out there, we showed them we were there for a reason, we showed them what we can do. It is a great boost before the Milk Cup and has helped the team chemistry and spirit.

College v International- what are the differences?

Where I play we are part of the Big Ten it’s very physical, the pretty side of things don’t show as much. It’s more rough tackles and being hard. The chances are few so it’s the team that makes the most of their opportunity. On any given day any team can beat any team.

So college soccer is very unpredictable. At international level there is more expectation and pressure because you are expected to beat certain teams and that brings it own pressures. The soccer is different there is a little more finesse and style with one touch and passing and movement, where as college is a little more rough and ready. College is a little more aggressive and dirty.

Andrew Rogers can be reached at andrewrogers@optonline.net