Chris Rolfe

The Chicago Fire frontman opens up about his fleeting time with the U.S. men's national team and how he wants to be remembered by his peers.

Rolfechris_isi_mlshcs20120812228_qlead Howard C. Smith/isiphotos.com

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF SOCCER?

Tryout day for my first soccer club, the Centerville Galaxies.

WHO WAS YOUR SOCCER HERO GROWING UP?

Dennis Brose (Dayton Dynamo NPSL), Dennis Bergkamp, and Ronaldo (Brazil of course).

DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE SUITING UP FOR THE U.S.

An amazing experience in Glasgow, Scotland, that came and went so quickly.

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A SOCCER PLAYER?

Finesse.

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST DISLIKE IN AN OPPONENT?

Selfishness.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SOCCER SUCCESS?

Adaptation.

WHAT IS ONE SOCCER SKILL YOU WANT TO IMPROVE?

1v1 defending and attacking.

WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR DEVELOPMENT?

A number of people but Mike Matkovich helped get me ready for the pros.

WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND IN THE GAME?

Justin Mapp.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER ACHIEVEMENT?

Getting offered a Major League Soccer contract in 2005.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER DISAPPOINTMENT?

Not scoring for the national team.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED FROM THE GAME?

Self discipline.

WHO ARE THE MOST TALENTED TEAMMATES YOU HAVE PLAYED ALONGSIDE?

Matt Aucoin (youth soccer), Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Justin Mapp, and Landon Donovan.

WHO ARE THE TOUGHEST OPPONENTS YOU HAVE LINED UP AGAINST?

Alessandro Nesta and Bakary Soumare

IF YOU WEREN'T A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A LIVING?

Farm

WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS IN THE GAME?

A good reputation with the players and coaches in the league—as a person and a player.

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