Clint Irwin

The 24-year-old North Carolina native had a breakthrough year in 2013, taking the Colorado Rapids starting goalkeeper role and claiming it as his own.

Irwinclint_isi_gbsmjb101313182_qlead Michael Burns/isiphotos.com

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF SOCCER?

My earliest memory of soccer involves my parents taking me to the local YMCA on a crisp, fall day. Before the days of tight, long-sleeve under shirts, we had our white cotton turtlenecks to wear underneath to keep us warm. I remember we were USA and we had the white-and-blue checked jerseys.

WHO WAS YOUR SOCCER HERO GROWING UP?

I didn’t have one hero per se, but Ihree players that I really appreciated were Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, and Edwin Van Der Sar.

DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE SUITING UP FOR THE U.S.

Well, this has yet to happen at any level but hopefully I’ll be able to describe it soon!

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A SOCCER PLAYER?

Mental toughness is huge for players, especially goalkeepers. Mental toughness, in the sense that the player makes mistakes, but is able to quickly reset and become a blank slate. It’s a big part of being a professional at this level.

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST DISLIKE IN AN OPPONENT?

As a goalkeeper, it’s really hard to go up against forwards who can finish with both feet, can disguise their finishes, and can time their strikes in a way that you don’t normally see (hitting the ball in-between touches).

WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SOCCER SUCCESS?

I feel I’m very strong on the mental side of the game. Tactically, reading the game and mental toughness are my strongest attributes.

WHAT IS ONE SOCCER SKILL YOU WANT TO IMPROVE?

Distribution.

WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR DEVELOPMENT?

Three coaches in particular: I had two goalkeeper coaches growing up, Bill Finneyfrock and Eric Hedinger at Charlotte United FC who invested a lot of time in my development and pushed me hard. They made me into the goalkeeper I am today. The third was my college coach, Darren Powell. He was the first coach who recruited me and encouraged me many times when I was thinking about giving the game up. He put his reputation on the line to try to get me opportunities. He always believed in me and we still talk regularly.

WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND IN THE GAME?

I’m not sure I have just one. I talk to guys I grew up playing with: Ike Opara, Steven Kinney, Danny Lovitz, and Gabe Latigue as well as staff that I’ve gotten to know at the places I’ve been.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER ACHIEVEMENT?

So far, last season as a whole.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER DISAPPOINTMENT?

Getting rejected at trials seven times my first year as a pro.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED FROM THE GAME?

Things change quickly. You’ve can’t let temporary setbacks derail you from your intended goal. Instead, use the setbacks as education and experience on your journey to where you want to go.

WHO ARE THE MOST TALENTED TEAMMATES YOU HAVE PLAYED ALONGSIDE?

In the pros: Vicente Sanchez and Dillon Powers. In college: Steven Kinney and Justin Wyatt. If anyone saw Wyatt play, he scored some of the most outrageous goals I’ve seen to this day.

WHO ARE THE TOUGHEST OPPONENTS YOU HAVE LINED UP AGAINST?

Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku.

IF YOU WEREN'T A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A LIVING?

I’d likely still be involved in the game, either as an executive or technical director/GM.

WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS IN THE GAME?

Winning in a way that represents well—both your beliefs in the game and beyond it.

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