KICKIN' BACK with Rodney Wallace

United rookie talks about favorite things, goals in life

Major League Soccer Communications

Rodney Wallace (left) with a group of cousins at dinner on a Caribbean Cruise. (Rodney Wallace)

Rodney Wallace, D.C. United's rookie midfielder, has had a solid inaugural MLS campaign. Wallace, who left Maryland after his sophomore year, has 3 goals and 3 assists in 23 starts and more than 2,000 minutes played in 2009. All of these statistics have his name being mentioned in the MLS Rookie of the Year debate. Wallace recently sat down for a Q&A with MLSnet.com. He also created his own photo gallery. Enjoy "Kickin' back with Rodney Wallace" ...

Rodney Wallace
D.C. United # 22
Midfielder / Defender
Born June 17, 1988 in San Jose, Costa Rica
Hometown: Rockville, Maryland

Fun Facts:
• Wallace played varsity lacrosse in high school
• Favorite actor is Martin Lawrence
• Lives in downtown Washington, D.C. with fellow teammate and rookie Chris Pontius
• Favorite soccer player is Kaka

1. What's your favorite holiday and why?
My favorite holiday would have to be Christmas, because I get to spend time with all my family and close friends.

2. Tell us something most people don't know about you.
Something that most people don't know about me is that I really enjoy Shark Week on the Discovery Channel.

3. If you could have one magical power what would it be and why?
It would have to be the ability to fly anywhere. It saves time plus I could be wherever I want, whenever I want.

4. What's your idea of the perfect date?
A perfect date would probably include dinner with a good group of friends -- so things don't get awkward.

5. Share an embarrassing moment ...
One of the most embarrassing moments would have to be when I forgot my lines in my elementary school play and ran offstage.

6. What thing can you not travel without and why?
I cannot travel without my iPhone. It has everything that I need.

7. If you could pick one song to play every time you scored a goal what would it be and why?
I would go with "Juicy" by Notorious B.I.G.

8. What's one goal you hope to accomplish in the next year?
I want to start finishing off my college credits.

9. Predict the final score for the U.S.-Costa Rica World Cup qualifier coming up in D.C.?
Considering that it's Costa Rica coming into D.C., I would say a 2-2 tie.

10. Which one of your D.C. United teammates keeps the locker room loose?
We have a bunch of guys that keep things loose, but I would have to go with Ben Olsen or Santino Quaranta.