Dax McCarty

The Florida native has established himself as a driving force in the New York Red Bulls midfield. And if he didn't play soccer he'd be a comedian.

Mccartydax_isi_mlshcs033014456_qlead Howard C. Smith/isiphotos.com

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF SOCCER?

Playing on my first team when I was five years old and wearing shin guards without socks.

WHO WAS YOUR SOCCER HERO GROWING UP?

Zidane.

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

2009, against Slovakia in Slovakia. Pretty crazy atmosphere and I got subbed into the game down 1-0, and we ended up losing 1-0. So we didn’t score, but we didn’t concede either so you could say I was even.

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

Vision.

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST DISLIKE IN AN OPPONENT?

Lack of composure.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SOCCER SUCCESS?

The ability to learn from mistakes you’ve made in the past and get better from them.

WHAT IS ONE SOCCER SKILL YOU WANT TO IMPROVE?

My passing over longer distances.

WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR DEVELOPMENT?

My father.

WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND IN THE GAME?

I have numerous close friends that I still keep in contact with, but the one I go back to from our days in the Florida ODP system is Nathan Sturgis. We’re still close friends and keep in touch regularly.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER ACHIEVEMENT?

Representing my country in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and winning the Supporter’s Shield.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER DISAPPOINTMENT?

Losing the 2010 MLS Cup Final and getting knocked out of the U20 world Cup.

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

You’re never as good as you think you are, and you’re never as bad as you think you are.

WHO ARE THE MOST TALENTED TEAMMATES YOU HAVE PLAYED ALONGSIDE?

Thierry Henry and David Ferreira.

WHO ARE THE TOUGHEST OPPONENTS YOU HAVE LINED UP AGAINST?

With U-17 national team, we played in a tourney in France against France. Their three strikers were Benzema, Nasri and Ben Arfa. We lost 2-0 and that was flattering for us.

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

I’d be a comedian.

WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS IN THE GAME?

Being respected by your peers and by how many trophies you’ve won.

Dax_mccarty_-_nashville_sc_-_headshot Read His ASN Profile
AmericanSoccerNow.