Interview with Matt Kassel (kinda)

I’ve been trying to get an interview with some of the players for quite some time now, but until now I didn’t have any luck.  Being in a different state will do that.  Fortunately, I was able to get in contact with rookie midfielder Matt Kassel, who was nice enough to answer some of my questions.  As a student at the University of Maryland, I’ve watched Matt play college ball here and saw him get drafted by the Red Bulls, so I figured he’d be a great candidate for my first interview.  In reality, it’s not much of an interview, but more of a Q&A session. But hell, who cares.  Thanks again to Matt for taking the time.

Eric Giacometti: You were in the Red Bulls Academy before college and had a chance to sign a contract with the team, but instead you chose to play college soccer at Maryland. How has your time at UMD helped you develop as a player?

Matt Kassel: My time at Maryland was great, it really helped me to become a better player. It definitely got me ready both mentally and physically for the professional game. Even the speed and quality at that level was so much different than what I had come from. I had some really good coaches and teammates and it’s an experience I’m glad I went through.

EG: Which supporters’ section would you consider more rowdy: The Crew at Ludwig Field or the South Ward at Red Bull Arena?

MK: Those are two really awesome ones right there. The Crew was by far no question the best soccer fans in the country in college. They traveled with us wherever we went. The ones we have here (in New York) are great too. That’s a tough one to say.

EG: What’s it like to play professional soccer for a team you rooted for as a kid?

MK: It’s great, it’s really a dream come true. Being from the area, I was around the team when I was younger, when my dad worked with the club, I was out on the field before games and stuff. Then I started playing with the Academy and that was just as awesome. Now playing with the first team, it’s really a special feeling playing for my hometown team and the team I grew up following.

EG: How difficult has the transition been from college soccer to MLS?

MK: It hasn’t really been too hard. Obviously the level here is a lot different, but I was lucky to be able to train a lot with the pro team when I was with the Academy. That really helped me to see what it was like to compete on a daily level with professionals and showed me the speed of the game.

EG: How important is it to be able to play reserve league games?

MK: It’s huge. Every player needs games. You need games in order to get fit, to get match fitness. Obviously every player needs games to improve and get better. Even just the feeling of preparing for a game, the atmosphere of a game, it definitely is important.

EG: What’s it like to play with guys like Henry and Marquez?

MK: I grew up watching both of those guys on TV, so it’s obviously a special thing to play with them. But they’re both really down to earth guys. They’re there to listen to you, to help you if you need anything, they’re really just one of the guys.

EG: Who is the funniest guy in the locker room?

MK: There are a lot of characters on this team. Titi’s (Henry) definitely one of them. Teemu (Tainio) and Luke (Rodgers). There are a lot of guys, it’s a fun room.

EG: What are your goals/plans for this season and beyond?

MK: Just to get better. I want to keep growing and improve my game. Obviously I want to get on the field, every player wants to play. But for now just working hard and trying to stay in the 18, that’s what I’m trying to do. Hopefully I get my chance soon to get on the field, but I just want to keep getting better and eventually that time will come.
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Category: CURRENT ROSTER, Interviews, Matt Kassel, Red Bulls