POS.: Forward
AGE: 18
HOMETOWN: Long Grove, Ill.
CLUB: MetroStars
INTERNATIONAL: U.S. under-20 national team
STARTING OUT: I joined soccer because it started the earliest, at age 4 or 5. I had to wait for baseball. My parents had to get me out of the house!
EARLY SOCCER MEMORY: My first State Cup, playing up a year with the Fox Valley Strikers. We came out of nowhere to win it all.
FIRST CLEATS: My Nike baseball cleats. I had to use for them for both sports.
CURRENT CLEATS: Nike Silver Total 90s.
OTHER SPORTS: I played baseball and basketball at an organized level.
FAVORITE TEAMS: Real Madrid, MetroStars.
FAVORITE PLAYER: Zinedine Zidane.
FAVORITE MOVIES: ''Braveheart'' and ''Life.''
FAVORITE ACTOR: Adam Sandler.
FAVORITE ACTRESS: Angelina Jolie.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: ''The Simpsons.''
LIVING SITUATION: I live with Ricardo Clark – a good guy, relaxed and low key.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: YOU OR RICARDO CLARK? Ricardo Clark. He's been getting a lot of good time.
MLS EXPERIENCE: Working with Coach Bob Bradley is a great opportunity.
SKIPPING COLLEGE: I knew since I was little that this is what I wanted to do. It's a tough decision. I know I'm missing out on the college life. But I get to do all this.
HOBBIES: Movies. Hanging out with friends. And we just got a ping-pong table at the house.
MUSIC: Linkin Park, Simple Plan, New Found Glory.
READING: I like ESPN Magazine, Maxim and Soccer America.
VACATION: I like Hawaii and going home to Chicago. That doesn't happen enough, though.
FAMOUS PEOPLE YOU'D INVITE TO DINNER: Michael Jordan and Brian Urlacher.
WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH? Justin Mapp and Craig Capano [teammates on the 2001 U.S. U-17 team]. My dad, Mike, and my buddies, Jason Kieffer and Nick Farella, crack me up. Also, my girlfriend, Jessica, and sister, Michelle.
Interview by Bryan Alvarez