Growing Up On The Kop - #2

by Will Johnson

Although Monday was a day off for Real Salt Lake, I still managed to find some guys to talk soccer with. I was very happy to be invited on the Fox Football Fone-In show with Max Bretos and Nick Webster at their studio in Los Angeles. I had a really good time talking soccer with them and taking calls from fans. I love Fox Soccer Channel and the games they cover for the American soccer fans so to be able to be on a show with them was a blast.

Late Wednesday afternoon, my teammates and I gathered at a local sports bar to watch the USA vs. Mexico game. Everyone was very excited to see CONCACAF's top two teams square off. The match was another classic display of professionalism from the Americans. "Inviting" Sven and his team up to rainy Columbus for the first game of the Hex proved to be another very good tactical decision by U.S. Soccer. Michael Bradley's brace stole the show and I don't think anyone can argue with the young midfielder being awarded the man of the match. Bob Bradley's squad once again proved too much to handle for the Mexicans and continue to run away with the title of the region's best team. On the other hand, Mexico are really struggling and with strong Costa Rican and Honduran squads I think it's very possible that they could finish outside the top three automatic berths to South Africa. Everyone was very excited to find out that beautiful Rio Tinto Stadium was chosen as a venue to host a World Cup Qualifier later on in the year. I'm sure our organization and fans will provide a great atmosphere for that match.

The rest of our week was filled with some good hard training sessions put on by Jason and the staff before we played against Chinese Super League champions, Shandong Luneng Taishan. Friday was marred again by the California rain which got the best of our training pitch so we were forced back onto the turf for the match. We won the game 8-0 and simply just over powered the Chinese team. They were not a great team on the day but credit to our guys for ending the trip on a high note in a very professional manner.

Valentines Day had finally arrived and it was time to hit the road and head back to snowy Salt Lake City. Our scheduled game against one of the local California college teams was postponed so we all got up and headed to the local gym, Mavericks. One last workout was in store before we went back, grabbed our stuff, and headed back down the coast en route to LAX. The mood was very bright with everyone anxious to get back and see families, wives, girlfriends, and home-cooked meals. My girlfriend couldn't make it out to Salt Lake this weekend so I have to wish her a very Happy Valentines Day here!

Good read: The Tender Bar by J.R. Moehringer

Good movie: Slumdog Millionaire

Q: You played in the Netherlands for a few years; do you keep in contact with your former teammates from there and what do you miss most about the Netherlands?

A: I keep in contact with a few of the guys that I played with at S.C Heerenveen. We had a great group of guys on the squad that first year I was in Holland so I try to keep in touch the best I can.

Q: Canadian teammate Julian de Guzman recently made headlines when he lashed out against the CSA, calling it "a cancer." What is your opinion of the CSA and what does the national team program have to focus on in order to be more successful?

A: Obviously there are problems within the CSA. I have not been involved enough just yet to be able to tell you exactly where the problems are. I know that we have some very talented players and that for some reason we have been underperforming for quite some time now. I was not involved very much with this last qualifying campaign but I hope to be a part of the national team again soon as its a huge honor to represent your country. I respect all of the older guys on the team and when a top player like Julian says something like that, there must be some truth behind it. I don't really have a personal opinion as I was not involved enough to know everything that went on behind the scenes.

Q: When you aren't playing soccer, how do you pass the time?

A: Personally, I love watching soccer. I watch as many top level games as I can because I really enjoy watching the best players in the world. I also enjoy working within youth soccer and giving back all the valuable information that I have picked up along the way to aspiring kids. Other than soccer, I enjoy reading, the movies, and cooking.

We have been given two days off to get our legs back after completing the first leg of our preseason. The second part of our preseason is going to take place in Tampa so I'll get back to you from there. As always, my thoughts go out to Andy and Marcia Williams and their daughters as we all pray for Marcia's health. Have a good week. Goodbye for now.


Real Salt Lake midfielder Will Johnson is back with a new segment of 'Growing Up on The Kop' every Monday morning. If you'd like to participate in the Q&A, please e-mail your question to majorleaguewriter@gmail.com or leave it in the comments section of this post. Our sincere thanks go out to Will for offering his time to MLS Daily each week.

* photo courtesy ISI Photos