Josh Wolff
Q: You’ve been on a roll lately with Fire, including scoring four goals in the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals. Do you feel you’ve got a starting spot locked down among this group of talented forwards? A: I do expect to be in the starting lineup. I’m in pretty good shape and I’ve been playing a lot of games lately, which helps out. I’ve been doing pretty well toward the end of the year. I just want to help contribute to this team.
Q: What are you personal goals for the Olympic tournament? A: “Well, you know, as a forward you’re supposed to create goals and create some chances for yourself. I’m looking to score some goals and help this team get to the next round. If it happens, it happens. If not, there are other ways that I can help this team.”
Q: With the success that the Fire have been having in MLS and with the Open Cup and heading into the playoffs, do you feel even the slightest bit reluctant to be here? A: “No, not really. With the Fire, we’ve had guys gone all year with injuries, national team call-ups, or whatever. We’ve had guys who’ve been able to step up and fill the roles. The guys aren’t upset that I’m leaving. They know it’s a great opportunity and that we have to have everyone else step up and do their job while we (Wolff and Fire teammate Evan Whitfield) are all away.”
Q: How do you feel about the rare chance to do well in the Olympics and then go home to help the Fire win the “double” (Major League Soccer and Open Cup championships)? Do you think it can be done? A: “I definitely think it can be done. It’s what we’re shooting for. Whether or not I have a great Olympics, we’ve got to get back to Chicago and try to win the ‘double’ like we did in æ98.”
Brian Dunseth
Dubbed the “Brandi Chastain of the men’s team” for his willingness and flair with media interviews, not to mention his propensity for taking off his shirt, team captain and resident heartthrob Brian Dunseth has graced the pages of such high profile publications as “Rolling Stone” (sans shirt), “CosmoGirl” and the “Boston Globe” (in a kilt). His frequent multi-media appearances, especially those in magazines targeted toward teenage girls, have not helped the handsome Dunseth shed the “N’Sync” label that his Under-23 teammates have given him.
Q: What are you looking to get out of the Olympic experience? A: “Well, the first and most important thing is that our team wins. I mean it’s great to be involved and to be a part of this Olympic team, but I think if we don’t win, or qualify for the next round, or make a name for ourselves or go on to the medal round, it will be a big disappointment.”
Q: What are your personal goals for this tournament and what is the defense looking to do as a unit? A: “As a defense, we’ve got to do a good job of imposing ourselves on the other team’s play, whether it’s shutting down individual players or forcing the ball backwards. I think those are everyone’s personal goals and our goals as a defense. That’s what it’s going to take to succeed.”
Q: Are you worried about red cards and physical play against a team like the Czech Republic? A: “Yeah, you always have to think about it. I’ve had problems in the past during qualifying, but hopefully that’s behind me and it’s something that will never happen again.”
Q: Are your family and friends going to have a chance to see you play here in Canberra? A: “Yeah, actually my mother, father, stepfather, brother and sister are all fortunate enough to be able to get the time off work and school to come over so they can share in the Olympic experience with me.”
Q: What about Chad McCarty and the teamwork you two have developed over the years playing as Under-20s and now Under-23s? A: “I think the strength of the playing relationship that Chad and I have is that we’ve been playing together for along time. I mean, we’ve been playing together off and on for a good five years. When I first came into the (U-20) team, he was the one I started playing with and fortunately we’ve had the opportunity to continue playing together. Off the field, he’s one of my good friends and somebody I respect. He’s someone I keep in constant contact with. I think our relationship off the field really helps us on the field.”
Q: Do you feel like you know each other’s playing style well enough that you know what he’s going to do before he does it? A: “I think we have tendencies to know what each other has in mind in some given situations. But the good thing is that there’s a lot of communication between us. We aren’t the quiet type. We’re going to talk and we’re going to get on each other when it needs to be done. It goes back and forth.”
Q: Over the last three weeks with Revolution, you haven’t been starting. How has that affected your confidence coming into this camp and with your role as team captain? A: “I think anytime you’re not picked for the starting 11, it’s a frustrating situation and something that you’re not happy with. I think as a player, anyone not playing shouldn’t be happy. If you are content with sitting on the bench, you shouldn’t be playing soccer, you should be getting a job or going to back school. At the same time, it was completely understood that I was leaving to come join this team and it’s the coach’s decision. At the time, we were going through a rough patch. He made the change and we won some games, so there was no change to be made.”
Q: So has it affected your confidence joining this team and knowing the pressure for this event? A: “No, I don’t think so. Coming in and being able to get a game against the (San Diego) Flash and play with the boys again, I felt good. I’m a little sore, due to a strain of my groin, but besides that I feel alright. I’m really happy to be a part of this team and I’m glad to be here.”
Peter Vagenas
Q: For you all as athletes and soccer players, how do you think the flight and jet lag will affect the team’s performance over the next day or so? Have you ever had a flight this long? A: “I’ve flown a couple of times for this long. Definitely there’s going to be jet lag. There are going to be some heavy legs out there regardless of how much sleep you got on the plane. The key is to get a training session in and to stay up until it’s night time in Canberra, rather than when it’s night time inside our bodies. We have to avoid our normal naps during the day or it may throw us off for some of the trip. I figure if we get there, get a good session in and open our legs up a bit and get that lactic acid out, I think we’ll be okay.”
Q: What are your predictions about advancing to the second round, given what you know about the three opening round opponents? A: “I think we’ve got as good a chance in anyone else in our group. I mean, that’s why we start off with zero points. I don’t think the other teams in our group, any one of them, are thinking æWe’re going to walk through this group.’ I think we’re all pretty equally matched and it will come down to those game day competitions–anything can happen. But I figure if we bring our best, and the others bring their best, then I think we will get out of the group.”
Q: What do you hope to contribute to this team in the opening round? Do you have any personal goals? A: “Personally, my goal on this team has been to get the ball in the midfield and get it to others when they need to get it and do a lot of battling there. Basically, (my job is) just to help move the ball and get the game going and get the ball to wide players or the ones up top at the right times. Assists are probably my greatest reward after a game. Of course, besides the win. I’m hoping to get a few assists here and there.”
