Interview with Chris Rolfe

Recently FMS.com had the opportunity to sit down and chat
with Alumnus Chris Rolfe, now of the MLS’s Chicago Fire,
here is what Chris had to say.

What’s a normal day consist of for you now?

I usually wake up between 7:45 and 8am every morning that we have training. My roommates and I leave the apartment around 8:20 to drive out to practice.  Since we live on the south side of the city and train in a northern suburb, it takes over an hour to get there. 

So we arrive at the training grounds around 9:30.  Everyone has to be at practice by 9:45, and we meet for a team meeting at 10:15 to go over the plan for the day and to bring up any upcoming events, problems or concerns within the team, etc.  I will usually lift weights between 9:30 and 10:15 most days of the week.  We get out to the field around 10:45 and start training around 11:00.  Training ends around 12:30, then we go back inside, shower, eat a little something, and then head back home.  From that point on, the day is ours.  If it's nice out, I like to drag a few guys to the beach downtown on Lake Michigan.  The rest of the day and evening will be filled with various activities including naps, watching TV/movies, and messin' around on the internet.  Remember... I'm a college dropout! 

How intense are the training sessions at the pro-level?

Almost every session that we have is intense--like nothing college level players have even experienced.  They aren't the longest training sessions, but they are so intense that we get a lot out of them every day.  I believe that the intensity and speed of play are the two biggest factors for new players.  The players that can adapt to that intensity the fastest and, in time, can handle it day in and day out are the ones that make it in the league. 

There was a rumor that you had an option to play in Belgium, how significant was that and was it difficult deciding whether or not to play abroad?

After the MLS Superdraft, I flew over to Belgium and trained with a club called Westerlo for two weeks in January.  They are a 'middle of the pack' team in Belgium's premier division.  While I was there I trained with their first team and was scheduled to play in their reserve matches.  Unfortunately, the way my trip was scheduled, I was only available for one reserve game match.  Ironically, that match was cancelled due to bad weather.  So the option to stay there at the end of the two weeks was somewhat negated due to the fact that the coaching staff was unable to observe me in a real game.  That obviously made what would have been a hard decision (to stay in Belgium or take my chances with the Chicago Fire) easier for me.  Upon my departure,they made it apparent that they would like to have me back again, but only time will tell if that door opens again. 

You have had a very nice start to your professional career, have you gotten used to the speed of play;
has the game, as they say begun to “slow down” for you?

18 games into the season I will say that I'm still not comfortable in many situations that are presented to me during a game.  I believe that the transition was smooth for me because I try to play quickly and keep the ball moving.  I got used to the speed of play shortly after preseason.  The problem for me now is taking in all the constructive criticisms and trying to apply them to my game.  So now there are times when a ball is coming to me and I over think the play.  I believe that once I get those details sorted out, then the game may "slow down" for me. 

Are the any veterans on the team you look to for guidance as you acclimate yourself to the league?

Everyone who is on our team that has been in the league for more than a season has something I can learn from.  Every player has been through something different at one point or another during their time in the league.  So as a first year player, I am all ears to anyone on the team that has any wisdom or guidance for me.  The older guys that I pay a lot of attention to are Jesse Marsch, Jim Curtin, Logan Pause,
and Chris Armas.  Chris has been a great help to me so far.  He is a real professional and someone who I would like to mold myself to be like.

Is their an international player or players you try to model your game after?

Not directly.  I've never had the opportunity watch many games from overseas, so it's hard for me to try to model my game after any of those players.  In the future, I believe I will try to observe more of Michael Owen simply due to the fact that he is a smaller striker and has been extremely successful at every level. 

Is there one thing you do that you might say is the secret to your success?

Making soccer one of the top priorities in my life, and tactically, playing quickly and working hard on and off the ball.

It’s your first season, you’ve broken into the starting 11 on one of the better teams in the league, and you have scored some goals and have been a bit unlucky not to have scored more, how much better do you think you can become?

Right now I believe that I am the only thing that can hold me back.  If I keep the desire to become the best that I can be, who knows where that will take me.  As long as at the end of the day I can say that I gave it all that I had, then I will be content with whatever stage my game ends at. 

What advice do you give the current Fairmont players when they ask how they can improve their game?

Play everyday.  Play all the time.  Play whenever you can.  And when you're playing, make sure you're having fun. 

What is your favorite High School Soccer memory?

Wow... there are so many great memories from those years. 
I wish I could put a memory above this one because everyone knows about it, but beating Centerville 2-0 at their place my senior year for the district title.  It seemed like every soccer fan/player in the area was out to watch that game.  Both teams were stoked following our 0-1 loss to them earlier on Bias's field.  Everything about that night was like a dream.  And the heroes that night were.... Adam Rex and Nate Madden.  What a great night that was!

Is there any significance to your wearing the #17?

A lot of guys listen to music before games or on road trips, if you do; what are you listening to these days

I'm a big county music fan, so the majority of the time I'm listening to that.  But before games I'll get a little punk goin' on my mp3 to get my blood flowing a little.   

Chris Rolfe #17