A: How did you come to be involved with the Mariners?
MS: My agent when I was a player, Ken Neal, had told me about the opening so I made a call to Shawn McDonald. At the time I had finished up being the goalkeeper coach for DC United and things were uncertain for the next year. I weighed my options and then Mike Field offered me the job. It was a great opportunity.
A: Everybody has their own vision of what kind of impact they can have on a club. What is yours?
MS: I just want to lend my professionalism and experience to the team. There are a lot of things I need to learn on the business side yet. I want this to be a first class organization and I will do anything I can to help.
A: Are there any particular strengths that you feel you bring to the team?
MS: I have played under a number of coaches so I want to take all the little things of importance from them and apply them to the team in Virginia Beach. I feel I have a good eye for talent and the biggest challenge of any coach is to find the right chemistry. I have always had a great rapport with the players. I know you are not going to make everyone happy all the time but honesty goes a long way. Hopefully that will attract talent here.
A: Will there be a splitting of duties between Coach MacDonald and yourself, and if so what is that breakdown?
MS: Obviously there will be times I will take the keepers and Shawn the field players but my goal is to complement each other. We have a great understanding of each other. We are on the same page but it's good that we have individual ideas that we can bounce off each other. Most of all we will work together on training and game day preparations.
A: This is, at least initially, an assistant coaching position. Do you have desires for a head coaching position, and if so, what goal do you have for attaining that and at what level?
MS: The team comes first. I am committed to making this team successful. I want to gain experience and learn the ins and outs. It was difficult leaving DC United after 7 years of service but I felt very limited in the position I was at. Now I feel I can put a handprint on things. It is a much bigger challenge and I am now held accountable for how the team does. As for the future, who knows? I want to build here first. I don't see myself leaving anytime soon.
A: What are your thoughts on the state of the game in the U.S. in general, and more importantly, the niche that is filled by the A-League, as well as the rest of the USL?
MS: The game itself is definitely improving. It needs a few more tweaks as we get closer to the ways of the rest of the world. However I think that the A-League and the rest of the USL have provided a great opportunity for top quality competition. There are so many players that want to play professionally so it's good to have different levels in which players can gain experience. The best players will always rise to the top.
A: What do you think make up the major differences between MLS and D.C. United and the A-League and Virginia Beach?
MS: There are a few things that come to mind. Money spent is one. Another is pace of play. I feel some teams can be competitive with MLS teams but not on a full season basis. We will have a strong team this season and hopefully we can do well in the Open Cup to match ourselves against possible MLS opponents.
A: Are there any players in particular that you're looking forward to working with this year?
MS: Actually all of them. Yes I have my little project players but every player has their own needs. If you earn respect from them you get more out of them.
A: Have you spent much time with Joe Larson so far this off-season or taught him some of your tricks of the trade?
MS: I have heard a lot about Joe Larson and Matt Nelson. I have not yet seen them play but I can't wait to get started. They seem to be hard working players so I hope they will always push each other to perform at their best. We have had a very busy off-season but now it's time to get to down to business.
A: What is the enthusiasm level like locally from what you've seen with guys like Roy Lassiter joining the club?
MS: The interest seems to have sparked quite a bit. Roy is just one piece of the pie. We have a very dedicated owner in Mike Field. Mike, Shawn, and I are assembling quite a strong and deep team. There are a few scars from the past owners in the community so we have to do a little mending. In the end, people will see a team that is on the right track. Hopefully then, they will come out and support us time and time again.
A: Do you have any good "Roy" stories after being around him in previous years?
MS: Roy has had his moments but the best thing that can happen to a professional player of any sport is to be humbled. No matter what limelight you have it can go away in a second. I have spent a lot of time with him in the last 4 months especially. He is focused and ready to go. I have never seen him fitter. He is ready to be a leader and set good examples for our younger players. Roy has made peace with his past, that is the only thing that matters.
A: What's it like to work for such an outspoken owner as Mike Field?
MS: Mike is a fan yes, but he is very passionate. He is really a simple person. What other owner do you know that interacts with the fans like he does? He loves the game but wants to be smart in business decisions. I get to know him more and more each day. We respect each other and that is what makes things so comfortable. Mike makes suggestions but has left all player acquisitions to Shawn and I.
A: What kind of affect, if any, did the previous owner(s) problems have in trying to sign new and returning players?
MS: Well it wasn't a problem in getting players. It is a buyer's market for sure. They can see how the organization is shaping up. The biggest challenge is to convince the fans that we will have a quality product both on and off the field. There was a lot of damage in the community and on the corporate front. Our goal is to get the players doing appearances and promoting the team.
A: Did any of the franchise's previous problems make you hesitate before signing on with the Mariners?
MS: There is always a risk in getting into something new. I have had to move my family to a new place. Mike Field is committed. That is one of the first questions I asked him. It is something I believe in and am committed to as well.
A: You've been able to work with coaches like Bruce Arena and Thomas Rongen. What were some of the most valuable lessons you learned from them?
MS: The ability to constantly adjust to players' needs. You can have a training or game plan but if it needs tweaking you have to read the situation and adjust. They are masters of that. I think you have to be organized but (able to) adapt to change when necessary. They both know the game inside (and) out. I have learned how to motivate players based on their different personalities.
A: Being from Cincinnati do you ever think about the Riverhawks and how they're doing considering how much negative attention they seem to have garnered over the past few seasons?
MS: Well I wouldn't like to see them doing well on April 18, our home opener against them. It's a shame a team hasn't caught on there. It is a great city with very talented youth teams. I haven't been into the scene there since 1995 when I played for the indoor Silverbacks. It would be a great working situation for they and the Columbus Crew to partner up.
A: How does it feel to be remembered by many to have come back from what was reported to be a life-threatening injury after the knee surgery in 1997?
MS: Well I am fortunate to be humbled by that experience. I was on top of the world after winning the 1996 MLS Cup and Open Cup that year with DC United. I came back and was leading the league in GAA and the botched surgery came up. Then I battled back through hard work to gain a starting spot 3 years later. I am grateful for what happened to me. I can always use that to help other players in their own personal struggles. It was an invaluable experience.
A: Your ability to come back from a situation like that has to be considered inspirational. Do you think most of the players you deal with now understand just how much drive you have to be successful and does it translate to helping to drive those players?
MS: No question about it. There are players on this team that have gone through similar events. It gives you an appreciation for what you have. The players understand nothing is taken for granted. It provides humbleness, competitiveness and no one gets complacent.
A: You've played against the best MLS had to offer and even faced Newcastle United of the English Premier League before. Will those experiences make it hard for you to get too excited about playing against the teams in the A-League?
MS: Never. Because I am held accountable for the success of this team. If I gave a 50% effort I couldn't expect 100% in return. I want to succeed no matter what level we are at. I am a competitive person. Besides these guys can play. Competition is going to be tough.
A: What do you expect out of this team this year?
MS: I think goals and expectations are different. I expect this team to give 110%, have an impact in the community, be good pros, be respectful to one another, be good sportsmen and be humble. My goals for the team are to make the playoffs and have a run at the A-League Championship and US Open Cup (that we would host of course).
A: What would you like to tell the A-League and Mariners' fans? What should they expect out of the team this season?
MS: That we will give all we have out on the field. That we are available in the community for their needs. That the more they support, the more cars Mike will give away each home game. We want to average 5000+ per game. Just think of the atmosphere. That would be very helpful in our success. The fans themselves have to realize they are a part of this as well.
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