Justin Morrow
The Earthquakes defender from the Rust Belt elaborates about the value of hard work
- Juan Agudelo
- Eric Alexander
- Jozy Altidore
- Kyle Beckerman
- Tony Beltran
- Austin Berry
- Matt Besler
- Nat Borchers
- Terrence Boyd
- Will Bruin
- Edson Buddle
- Teal Bunbury
- Geoff Cameron
- Edgar Castillo
- Ricardo Clark
- Steve Clark
- Bobby Convey
- Kenny Cooper
- Joe Corona
- Sam Cronin
- Cody Cropper
- Danny Cruz
- Daniel Cuevas
- Charlie Davies
- Brad Davis
- Nick DeLeon
- Jay DeMerit
- Maurice Edu
- Michael Farfan
- Andrew Farrell
- Benny Feilhaber
- Greg Garza
- Eddie Gaven
- Luis Gil
- Alan Gordon
- Andy Gruenebaum
- Bill Hamid
- Matt Hedges
- Clint Irwin
- George John
- Sean Johnson
- Jermaine Jones
- Benji Joya
- Dan Kennedy
- Perry Kitchen
- Jeff Larentowicz
- Steven Lenhart
- Chad Marshall
- Jack McBean
- Dax McCarty
- Jack McInerney
- Matt Miazga
- Justin Morrow
- Patrick Mullins
- Lee Nguyen
- Conor O'Brien
- Amobi Okugo
- Michael Parkhurst
- Heath Pearce
- Chris Pontius
- Dillon Powers
- Christian Ramirez
- Nick Rimando
- Chris Rolfe
- Kelyn Rowe
- Omar Salgado
- C.J. Sapong
- Brek Shea
- Harry Shipp
- Tommy Thompson
- Wil Trapp
- Andrew Wenger
- Danny Williams
- Sheanon Williams
- Chris Wondolowski
- Graham Zusi
May 24, 2013
8:00 AM
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David Bernal/isiphotos.com
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF SOCCER?
My earliest memory is pretty funny. I remember my mom driving me across the city to go to a travel soccer match. It was probably around the age of six or seven. Ohio doesn’t have the best weather either so I remember it being rainy, but I had a fun time playing.
WHO WAS YOUR SOCCER HERO GROWING UP?
I tried to watch as much European soccer as I could, but there wasn’t much televised in the 90s. I’d have to say Zinedine Zidane was a big influence, just seeing how technical he was when he played.
DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE SUITING UP FOR THE U.S.
My first experience was when we played against Canada in Houston this January. It was an incredible feeling to just soak it all in. It was a pretty cool experience when the national anthem was playing.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A SOCCER PLAYER?
Hard work. American soccer players are very hardworking, and the technical game is also developing. When you have talent but you don’t work hard, it doesn’t always work out for you, but a hard worker can always do well.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST DISLIKE IN AN OPPONENT?
Laziness. Someone who’s not defending hard or not working back if they lose the ball.
WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SOCCER SUCCESS?
Staying disciplined and staying humble. When you’re doing well, it’s important to stay humble. If you’re doing bad, you have to keep your nose to the grind and just keep working hard.
WHAT IS ONE SOCCER SKILL YOU WANT TO IMPROVE?
I’m always looking to be more technical on the ball. When you look at the European leagues, they’re all amazing on the ball and keep the ball very well. That’s a big goal for me.
WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
Probably my parents. They’ve always been behind me, always supported me. Like I said, my mom used to drive me all over the place, and my dad calls me when I’m here to tell me to keep working hard.
WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND IN THE GAME?
My two best friends from home that I grew up and played in high school with. One’s name is Mark and the other’s name is Barry. They’ve always been there for me. My big development was during high school and a little before that. They were always there with me, pushing me to work hard.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER ACHIEVEMENT?
As a team achievement, I’d say winning the Supporter’s Shield was very big. It felt good to have a great season and be rewarded for it. Individually, I’m very proud to have earned a cap for the national team.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER DISAPPOINTMENT?
Probably the way we handled the playoffs last year. After having such a good season, we didn’t accomplish what we wanted to in the first round. That one still hurts.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED FROM THE GAME?
There will be ups and there will be downs, but you have to enjoy every minute of it. It’s an experience and it won’t last forever.
WHO ARE THE MOST TALENTED TEAMMATES YOU HAVE PLAYED ALONGSIDE?
Ramiro [Corrales] is really talented. He’s gifted as a soccer mind and very technical on the ball.
WHO ARE THE TOUGHEST OPPONENTS YOU HAVE LINED UP AGAINST?
I think the whole MLS is growing. The talent pool is so big now that you really can’t take a week off. Every team you play against is going to be good competition.
IF YOU WEREN'T A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
I have my finance degree so I’d probably be an investment banker. That would be my dream job.
WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS IN THE GAME?
Being successful in this game is having a long career and having won some team and individual awards. Also having your teammates know that you’re someone they can rely on.
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