Dan Kennedy
A great shot-stopper who has yet to feature for the U.S. national team, Kennedy focuses on hard work and humility.
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- Graham Zusi
October 31, 2012
11:39 AM
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David Bernal/isiphotos.com
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF SOCCER?
Growing up in Southern California I was always at the soccer fields after school. I remember practicing with my older sisters team, my team, the teams my parents played on, goalkeeper training, and even practicing with a local team that all my friends were on. My earliest memories come from those days just playing whenever I got the chance to.
WHO WAS YOUR SOCCER HERO GROWING UP?
I was always fascinated with the goalkeepers. I remember watching Tony Meola in the 1994 World Cup, and wanting his same hair cut. After that I fell in love with all three of the American keepers over the next decade.
DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE SUITING UP FOR THE U.S.
Hasn’t happened…yet.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A SOCCER PLAYER?
I enjoy watching passionate players in big games. I really enjoy watching guys get lost in the game and just making plays and doing whatever it takes to win. Usually the hard workers who will do anything for their team to win, is who I end up rooting for.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST DISLIKE IN AN OPPONENT?
I don’t like seeing any type of diving or players that have negative influences on the game with dirty play. With where the game is today, I just don’t think there is any time for those qualities to come out in a player.
WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SOCCER SUCCESS?
Hard work and determination. I have been through a few crossroads in my career. And each time I have decided to work through it and focus on getting better as a player—physically, technically, or psychologically. I have had points in my career where I have needed to take time to focus on all three of these aspects of my career. Your ability to identify and improve on your weaknesses as a player will allow you to succeed.
WHAT IS ONE SOCCER SKILL YOU WANT TO IMPROVE?
For goalkeepers I feel like our most important skill is our decision making. This is why experience is so important in our position. So for me as always I am trying to improve my decision making every day.
WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
My parents. They have always provided me with whatever I needed to be successful. From equipment, to training, and now today just by supporting me. They set me up for success with the morals and discipline that I grew up with every day.
WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND IN THE GAME?
Ante Jazic has become a great friend and teammate of mine. He has done it all as a player, and he knows what it takes to be successful on and off the pitch.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER ACHIEVEMENT?
Soccer has provided me with some very unique life experiences. I played in Puerto Rico for two years, and in Chile for one. I was able to learn a lot about myself and really get out of my comfort zone. I was forced to learn a new language and adapt to a very different culture. I was great for my soccer development to see the game from a different perspective, and it was a massive growing experience for me as a man.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER DISAPPOINTMENT?
This season at Chivas USA has left a very big impression on me. I was very optimistic coming into this year and through July we were really in the playoff hunt. For things to go so badly in the past two-and-a-half months... I am left in disbelief. We have let our organization, the fans, our families, and ourselves down. With all of this being said, I am eager to get going this offseason. Train hard, improve myself, and right all the wrongs from this last season.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED FROM THE GAME?
Everything can change in one day. Stay humble, stay positive, work hard, and work together.
WHO ARE THE MOST TALENTED TEAMMATES YOU HAVE PLAYED ALONGSIDE?
I really enjoyed training every day with Brad Guzan and Zach Thornton. Both of these guys made me a better player and teammate.
WHO ARE THE TOUGHEST OPPONENTS YOU HAVE LINED UP AGAINST?
So often for us at Chivas USA our biggest game of the year comes vs. the Los Angeles Galaxy. Landon Donovan always brings his A game against us. I respect our rivalry and I enjoy the challenge.
IF YOU WEREN'T A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
Really hard to say. Soccer has had such an influence on me I believe I will always be involved in the game. Ideally I would like to live in Santa Barbara and have an influence on the development of soccer in the U.S.
WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS IN THE GAME?
Maximizing your potential and finding a way to win.
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