Michael Farfan
The Philly attacker wants to improve his decisiveness in the final third.
- 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
February 25, 2013
12:04 PM
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Bill Barrett/isiphotos.com
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF SOCCER?
My earliest memory of playing soccer would have to be playing 1 vs 1 with my twin brother Gabriel in our backyard on the goal that my dad built us when we were like 4 or 5 years old. The only time we weren't playing was when my mom would force us to go inside and eat.
WHO WAS YOUR SOCCER HERO GROWING UP?
I remember watching Maradona the most and admiring the way he could take over the game singlehandedly. Then my dad mentioned Michael Laudrup and he instantly became my favorite player to watch.
DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE SUITING UP FOR THE U.S.
It was with the Under 17s, I couldn't believe I was on the field representing my country. I had goosebumps as they played the national anthem.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A SOCCER PLAYER?
Effort is what I admire most because without it, you have nothing. To be a professional athlete, you must be willing to give a professional effort.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST DISLIKE IN AN OPPONENT?
Laziness. It's not fair to every other player on your team who is giving their all for the good of the group and you ruin it for them.
WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SOCCER SUCCESS?
Hard work. I've always believed that hard work pays off. It might not pay off today, or tomorrow, but at some point you'll be rewarded for the hard work you put in. I'm not sure where I heard this quote from but I've always remembered it: If you work as hard as every other player, you will only be as good as every other player.
WHAT IS ONE SOCCER SKILL YOU WANT TO IMPROVE?
Taking more shots on goal. I tend to look for the pass before the shot more often than I should.
WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
My dad. He's been my personal coach since I was a four years old. He has always done a really good job of teaching me what I'm doing well so that I can keep doing it and what I need to work on so that I can change it or do it differently.
WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND IN THE GAME?
My brother Gabriel and Eric Avila. Gabriel and I have been side by side since we were born, and are fortunate enough to still be able to play together on the same team. Eric Avila grew up playing on the same club team as me and our families are just as close.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER ACHIEVEMENT?
Becoming a professional soccer player. I never wanted to be that "would've… could've… should've…" player. So to finally be able to say I am a professional soccer player is the greatest feeling.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER DISAPPOINTMENT?
Not winning a national championship at UNC. I've never had a really big disappointment in soccer yet. I say not winning the national championship because I believe we had the talent to make it happen.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED FROM THE GAME?
I don't believe in luck. I believe with anything that what you put into it is what you will get out of it, and the harder you work, the more opportunities you will create for yourself.
WHO ARE THE MOST TALENTED TEAMMATES YOU HAVE PLAYED ALONGSIDE?
Carlos Ruiz and Brian Carroll. Carlos Ruiz is such a smart player, has a great touch, and knows how to use his strengths and weaknesses to his advantage. Brian Carroll is such a great/underrated player. He does all the dirty work so that the guys in front of him can reap the benefits. He's a true team player that never gets the acknowledgement he deserves
WHO ARE THE TOUGHEST OPPONENTS YOU HAVE LINED UP AGAINST?
Mesut Ozil and Eden Hazard. Ozil is so smooth on the ball. He never lets you get near him and always knows what he's going to do with the ball before it gets to him. Hazard is such a quick, strong, savvy player that's really hard to stop with the ball at his feet.
IF YOU WEREN'T A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
I would probably work on a boat as a fisherman. Most likely in St. Thomas, where my girlfriend Pualani is from. There's no feeling better than being on or in the water. It's such a peaceful place.
WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS IN THE GAME?
Gaining the respect of all the players you play alongside. Nobody knows your worth as much as the players wearing the same jersey as you.
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