How old were you when you first started playing, who taught you to play and who most influenced your development as a young player?
I was five years old when I first started playing soccer. My dad and brother were the biggest influences on me to play the sport. When I was younger, there was no league for my age group so I remember playing with my brother's team. My dad coached me when I was younger and taught me the basics.

What's been the single best moment of your soccer career thus far, at any level of competition?
My best moment of my career was when I scored a goal in the final seconds of the final in Indoor Nationals. I was playing with the Downers Grove Roadrunners and we were playing the Baltimore Bays. The score was 2-2 and there was a foul near the half and I was able to chip the ball over the goalie with time expiring.

What are your long-term goals in the sport?
My long-term goal as a soccer player is getting a scholarship and hopefully having soccer help pay for my college. I will reach this goal by working hard in the Chicago Fire Academy program.

What has been the most valuable aspect of being trained by the Academy coaches?
The most valuable aspect of training under the Academy coaches has been playing in the competitive environment that the staff creates. The Academy coaches are constantly pushing the players to play at their full potential. When practices are this intense, players are bound to improve and be ready for their games.

What has training with the Academy taught you about yourself as a player and where do you need improvement?
Training with the Academy has taught me a lot about myself as a player. I have gotten to learn my strength and weaknesses while practicing with the Academy. My ball control needs to improve because with better players, I have less time with the ball. Playing smarter and thinking through plays will also help limit time on the ball.

What is the most difficult part of training with the Academy?
The most difficult part is coming focused and ready to play for every single practice. If someone shows up to practice with their mind on something other than soccer, it shows. Keeping the mental focus on soccer is the most difficult part for me because of the commute to practice. Sometimes I lose concentration on soccer after driving an hour to and from practice.

Does the training differ from past training you've had, and in what way?
Yes, the training I have received with the Academy has been much better than the training I have received at other clubs/. The Academy training seems to cover all aspects of the game. Technical at the beginning of practice, tactical (positioning) and fitness. The Academy even sets up specific training for fitness.

Which of your Academy teammates impresses you the most and why?
The Academy teammate that impresses me the most is Keaton. He is extremely hard-working and dedicated. I have yet to see Keaton miss a practice. He also does not complain about what we are doing, he just plays.

Which of the other U-16 or U-18 Academy players impresses you and why?
The U-18 Academy player that impresses me the most is Brian Lunar. We were teammates at Lake Forest Academy in the high school season and I was able to learn what type of player he was. I have never met a kid that works harder than Brian. In every practice, he goes all out and his energy rubbed off on the rest of the team. Brian also would work out after practice. I envy his work ethic.