Sheanon Williams
The promising Philadelphia Union defender talks about the mental aspect of the game.
- 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
March 20, 2013
1:54 PM
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Howard C. Smith/isiphotos.com
WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF SOCCER?
Earliest memory of soccer is watching my brother play. We are only 18 months apart, so after a year they let me join his team.
WHO WAS YOUR SOCCER HERO GROWING UP?
My soccer hero growing up was my Dad. There wasn’t much soccer on TV but when I was little, my Dad used to play with my me and my brother, and he was pretty good.
DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE SUITING UP FOR THE U.S.
My first experience suiting up for the national team was exciting. It was in a tournament in England. I scored my first international goal in our first game against Italy.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A SOCCER PLAYER?
The quality I admire most in a soccer player is the ability to be cool under pressure and make the smart decisions instead of panicking.
WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST DISLIKE IN AN OPPONENT?
The quality I most dislike is when people dribble aimlessly with their head down.
WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SOCCER SUCCESS?
The key to my success is to always keep working hard. There are always things that you can do to get better. You can never settle and think you’re good enough.
WHAT IS ONE SOCCER SKILL YOU WANT TO IMPROVE?
I would like to improve my decision making. I want to more times than not make the right decisions with and without the ball—defending and also attacking.
WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
A person that has had a great influence on my development is Coach Hackworth. He has coached me since I was 15 and I don’t think I would be where I am without his influence.
WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND IN THE GAME?
I have so many friends in the game, it would be hard to name just one.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER ACHIEVEMENT?
My greatest soccer achievements would have to be getting to represent the U.S. on three big occasions: the U-17 World Cup, the U-20 World Cup, and also the U-23s when trying to qualify for the Olympics.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER DISAPPOINTMENT?
My greatest soccer disappointments are not winning College Cup while I was at UNC and also not qualifying to go to the Olympics.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED FROM THE GAME?
To always be humble.
WHO ARE THE MOST TALENTED TEAMMATES YOU HAVE PLAYED ALONGSIDE?
Some of the most talented teammates I’ve played alongside are Mike Farfan, Zach Lloyd, and Brek Shea, just to name a few.
WHO ARE THE TOUGHEST OPPONENTS YOU HAVE LINED UP AGAINST?
I think the toughest opponents for me are guys like Brek Shea, Chris Pontius, and Graham Zusi. Those three guys are always dangerous around the goal.
IF YOU WEREN'T A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A LIVING?
I would like to think I would have put my time and effort into playing another sport, either basketball or football.
WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS IN THE GAME?
My ultimate definition of success in the game is winning. I think in any sport all the great players are measured by winning.
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