Meet the individual behind the participant: Cody Cropper

Posted
April 21, 2015
12:20 PM

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John Todd/isiphotos.com

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF SOCCER?

My earliest reminiscence of soccer rising up is after I would go and watch the highschool group my Dad coached, St. Pius X in Atlanta. One of many advantages of it being his group was that I used to be allowed to coach with the group after faculty. The consisted of gamers equivalent to Ricardo Clark, Mike Mecerod, Tommy Mauer, and Peter & Chris Island.

WHO WAS YOUR SOCCER HERO GROWING UP?

The one and solely Captain Unbelievable—Steven Gerrard!

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

I used to be taking part in for Thomas Rongen’s U-20 group in a match in Holland. The factor I bear in mind most in regards to the journey is once we performed Senegal in a 0-0 draw and each single one in all their gamers was as massive, if not larger, than myself. Itmade our group appear to be a gaggle of midgets operating across the subject.

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

Exhausting work—I consider that with out it as a participant are nothing. Exhausting work beats expertise when expertise doesn’t work arduous.

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST DISLIKE IN AN OPPONENT?

A proficient participant who’s lazy.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SOCCER SUCCESS?

Exhausting work, staying grounded, and by no means forgetting the place you got here from.

WHAT IS ONE SOCCER SKILL YOU WANT TO IMPROVE?

Consistency in method with my left-footed distribution.

WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR DEVELOPMENT?

Each my Mother and Dad. In fact for various causes however with out what they each did for me through the years I wouldn’t be the place I’m as we speak.

WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND IN THE GAME?

Kelvin Davis at Southampton FC.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER ACHIEVEMENT?

Representing the USA within the U20 World Cup in Turkey.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER DISAPPOINTMENT?

Shedding to Mexico in further time, 3-1, once we performed them within the U-20 CONCACAF Championship.

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

It’s a must to respect the sport or the sport won’t respect you.

WHO ARE THE MOST TALENTED TEAMMATES YOU HAVE PLAYED ALONGSIDE?

Wil Trapp and Deandre Yedlin for the U.S.; Connor Wickham for Ipswich City FC; James Ward Prowse, Harry Reed, and Matt Goal for Southampton FC.

WHO ARE THE TOUGHEST OPPONENTS YOU HAVE LINED UP AGAINST?

Mexico, Spain, France, and Ghana each in qualifying and within the U-20 World Cup.

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

Going to school within the U.S. and attempting to determine my future like each different regular 22-year-old.

WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS IN THE GAME?

Having earned the respect of each my teammates and opponents even after I retire.

Learn His ASN Profile