[MLS] Luke Sassano has earned eight starts in 12 appearances in his rookie year for the New York Red Bulls. After playing the majority of his soccer (high school, club and college) in Northern California, Sassano has made a seamless transition to the East Coast. Find out what was the best advice the former Cal Bear got from a youth coach in this profile by Soccer America's Bryan Alvarez that covers Sassano's on- and off-field experiences …
LUKE SASSANO
(New York Red Bulls)
POSITION: Midfielder/Defender
AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: Orinda, CA
YOUTH CLUB: Lamorinda United, Santa Clara Sporting Ruckus
COLLEGE: Cal Berkeley
EARLY SOCCER MEMORY: My dad took me to my first practice. I was 7 years old and I remember that I didn't want to go. But, after that first practice, I was hooked! I'm glad my parents pushed me.
FIRST CLEATS: I had some cheap Mitre cleats. My first "real" pair was the first version of the adidas Predators. I saved my allowance for those.
CURRENT CLEATS: I'm wearing the team-issued Predators now.
OTHER SPORTS: I like basketball, college and NBA. I'm a big college football fan, too.
FAVORITE TEAMS: The Cal football team and the Oakland A's.
FAVORITE PLAYER: Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics).
FAVORITE MOVIES: I like comedies. My favorite is "Dumb & Dumber."
FAVORITE ACTOR: Edward Norton.
FAVORITE ACTRESS: Jessica Biel.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: "The Office."
LIVING SITUATION: I live with two other rookies, David Roth and Danleigh Borman. We have a three-bedroom house.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: I'd have to say it's Danleigh. He's scored two goals and he's a really good player. He's on the top of my list.
MLS EXPERIENCE: So far, it's been good. I was put in a good situation. The older guys are cool. They give good advice and show you how to adjust. It's different than college where you don't have as much time to focus on soccer because of school. It's still soccer but it's also a job and you have to be professional and take care of your body.
COLLEGE: Berkeley was great. I loved school and the people there. Coach [Kevin] Grimes played pro and with the national team. He let us know how to play the game.
MOST INFLUENTIAL COACH: There were three. Coach Grimes from Cal, Mohamed Mohamed, the Director of Lamorinda, and Tim Martin from the Santa Clara Sporting Ruckus.
MEMORABLE COACHING ADVICE (from youth coach): Mohamed always told me, "Don't let anyone tell you what you can or can't do. You have to put it all on the line and don't be afraid to fail."
HOBBIES: In Berkeley, I was outdoorsy. I liked to hike. In New York, I watch movies or toss a baseball around. One of these days, I'll make it to the beach on the Jersey shore.
MUSIC: Jack Johnson, Slightly Stupid, Ben Harper.
READING: I'm a big John Grisham fan.
VACATION: Ever since I was 13 I wanted to go to Fiji. But or now, vacation means going home.
FAMOUS PEOPLE YOU'D INVITE TO DINNER: Roberto Baggio, Jessica Biel, Kevin Garnett and Jessica Simpson.