D.C. United made sweeping personnel changes in the offseason and is banking on young talent for a turnaround after last yearÆs dismal year. Mark Lisi, a college draft pick out of Clemson, stepped straight into the starting lineup and is an early Rookie of the Year candidate. Get to know the 23-year-old in this segment of Socceramerica.comÆs series on the USAÆs most promising talent. MARK LISI Position: Midfielder Height: 6-0. Weight: 160. Born: Oct. 11, 1977. Hometown: Englewood, Colo. College: Clemson MLS 2001 Season (through June 5): 9 games, 1 goal, 4 assists, 6 points. INTERVIEW BY BRYAN ALVAREZ SOCCER AMERICA: Are you surprised by the amount of playing time you are getting in your first season? MARK LISI: Yeah. We have a lot of talent on the team. Luckily, IÆve found a good spot in midfield. SA: What are your main impressions of your first year in MLS? ML: ItÆs going OK. WeÆre not winning like we want to be. My biggest adjustment has been playing and thinking quicker. You have to know what you are going to do before you get the ball SA: What was your favorite moment from this season? ML: Scoring the gamewinner in our home opener against Kansas City in 88th minute. SA: Who has been your greatest influence? ML: [Goalkeeper] Mike Ammann. HeÆs always positive on the field and off. HeÆs a great influence. HeÆs always in a good mood. He makes everyone laugh. SA: What are your predictions for this year? ML: I know itÆs early but I know weÆll make the playoffs. WeÆre not getting breaks right now but they will come. SA: How is the team handling these last minute losses? ML: WeÆre trying to find the answers. We are keeping a positive attitude. WeÆre not getting down. We are going to turn things around. SA: Who is the toughest opponent youÆve faced? ML: The MetroStars. SA: Are they your archrival? ML: Yeah. We played them in a big game and they came back on us. Hopefully, we can get them back next time. PERSONAL TIME SA: What do you do when you are not playing soccer? ML: I like to listen to music, a lot of music. I also like to take naps. SA: Who is your favorite actor? ML: Jim Carrey. SA: Who is your favorite actress? ML: Meg Ryan. SA: What is your favorite book? ML: I donÆt have one. SA: Who is your favorite comedian? ML: Jim Carrey. SA: Who is your favorite musician? ML:The Dave Matthews Band. SA: Do you use music to get you pumped before a game? ML: Yeah, I always listen to the Dave Matthews Band. There are certain songs that get me going like ôWarehouseö and ôHalloween.ö SA: What’s your current living situation? ML: IÆm living with friend that graduated from Clemson. We live in a three-bedroom townhouse. IÆm kind of spoiled! SA: Do you have time to go out, be young? ML: Most definitely. A lot of the guys go out after game. We like to go to D.C. and hang out. SA: Being on the road so much, do you get homesick? ML: No, not at all. I love to travel. I like being on the road. SA: Are you a soccer fan? ML: Most definitely. SA: Who is your favorite team? ML: Manchester United. SA: Who is your favorite player? ML: Diego Maradona. ON BEING A YOUNG PRO SA: What are your opinions about college and high school players coming out early? ML: I finished school. I think itÆs important to get an education. Even if you have the talent to come out early, my advice is to stay in school. If you wait, youÆll be even better when you come out. SA: What can MLS do to retain its young stars? ML: Money is always an issue. SA: Do you eventually want to play abroad? ML: Most definitely. IÆm Italian so I would love to play in Italy. SA: What’s your commitment to the MLS? ML: I have four years, each being an option. SA: What can the MLS do to improve? ML: Teams that donÆt have their own stadiums need one. It will help to promote the game. SA: Do you have an opinion of single-entity? ML: No, not at the moment. SA: What is your relationship like with the fans? ML: After the first game, they know who you are now. We had a ôMeet The Teamö day last week so it was nice to meet some of the fans. ItÆs not like Marco Etcheverry or Jaime Moreno, but I have a good relationship with the fans. SA: Do you get recognized in public? ML: Yeah, a couple times. It makes you feel confident. But, itÆs only happened a couple times.