LIVE chat with Crew Forward Robbie Rogers Read the transcript below.
Valerie from Akron, Ohio
Do you have a certain pre-game ritual that you follow before every game and if so what is it?
Robbie Rogers
Yeah, I have rituals for home games and away games. For home games, I go to First Watch for breakfast in the morning, and then I just go home and relax. I usually watch different soccer clubs on YouTube. Then I usually make some pasta before the game-- probably four or five hours before the game. And yeah, I mean I just kinda hang out, try to take a little nap after I eat a little bit and then I have a mix of music I listen to in the car on the way to Crew Stadium. That's pretty much it on game days. But when we're away it's a little different because we're in the hotel and eating meals together. So I watch videos the same way on YouTube, but I eat with the team and try to take a nap before the game. I listen to the same playlist on my iPod that I do in Ohio.
Jose from Lewis Center, Ohio
Robbie, I was wondering if Guillermo sees you as a player identical to Palacios from Boca and he is trying to make you a wiser player? Do you prefer playing diagonal to the goalie with Guillermo's passes instead of taking always the wing?
Robbie Rogers
Wow, good question. I don't know -- I think he tries to help me as much as possible. I don't think he really sees me as a Palacios. It's hard for us to communicate but it's getting better. I like playing on the wing more, actually. There's more space for me, so yeah, I like playing out wide and then trying to lift crosses in. Defenders don't really track my runs across as much, so yeah, I like to play out wide more.
Barrack from Columbus, Ohio
We're seeing a new Crew in 2008. We're 3 - 1. We've come from behind. We win on the road. From a player's perspective, what has changed?
Robbie Rogers
I think there's a lot of confidence on the team. This team's been together now for longer than last year -- last year we were a pretty new team. We hadn't really played with each other and stuff, so I mean every year you're going to have new players, but the core of the team has played together longer.
Andrew from Westfield, New York
Robbie, you are starting to come into your own. I'm wondering what your intentions are when it comes to Europe. Have you had any interest from teams already?
Robbie Rogers
I'm kind of taking it day by day. I'm really happy playing here in Ohio with Columbus, but I want to play at the highest level that I can, so I would be excited to go back ot Europe of course, but I'm happy here with the Crew, so I'm not too worried about it.
Cody from Ashland, Ohio
How does the atmosphere at Crew Stadium compare to other stadiums?
Robbie Rogers
Actually, Crew Stadium this year I've noticed there's a lot more going on. The new supporters section in the corner is pretty loud and gives me a lot of energy when I'm there. The only stadium that I would say is like Europe is Toronto's stadium, because there are so many fans there. I don't know, it's because it's always sold out and stuff. So hopefully if we keep winning, people will keep coming to the games and we'll be closer to a European style and European atmosphere.
Tom from Santa Monica, California
Do you like playing more on the left or on the right? Also, are you naturally a lefty or a righty?
Robbie Rogers
I'm naturally right-footed, but it doesn't really matter what side I play on. If I've had success against a certain guy on a team, I'll just go to that side more. The game dictates the side I play on, where I'm having more success. Yeah, a lot of people think I'm left-footed. I'm actually right-footed.
Jeff from Lincoln, Nebraska
What is your most hilarious off-field moment with a teammate?
Robbie Rogers
Off field? I mean last year I lived with Danny Szetela and Tim Ward and those are two guys I've been friends with a long time, and there's just been a lot of different good times with those guys. We've lived together for a long time.
Nathan from Orient, Ohio
What exactly do Nowak and Schmid concentrate on with you in training? It seems the development track you're on has really shown a remarkable impact in your play on the pitch.
Robbie Rogers
They've talked to me about trying to stay in tune for 90 minutes, to work on my conditioning defensively and offensively. Tactic-wise, I just want to be creative and be myself. On the defensive end, that's where I need the most work, but it's getting better-- positioning myself to help the team so we can get attacking.
Mirrael from Sorocaba, Brazil
Hi Robbie, if you could choose, what European team would you play for ?
Robbie Rogers
Arsenal, for sure. I just like the way they play, their style.
David from Columbus, Ohio
What is your opinion of the new supporters section and do you plan on celebrating any goals with them (i.e. Moreno vs. Toronto) this season?
Robbie Rogers
Hopefully. I'm a big fan of the supporters section. I think it's been a great addition to our stadium so far. Hopefully I'm going to be celebrating a lot of goals in that corner.
Mike from Columbus, Ohio
Robbie, what specific parts of your game are you trying to improve this year?
Robbie Rogers
Defensively -- positioning and a killer instinct to score goals. There's a lot of different things.
Stan from Columbus, Ohio
Robbie, you and Alejandro Moreno have the Crew off to a great offensive start -- how do you think the Crew will finish this season with all the "surprise" starts around the league?
Robbie Rogers
I mean, I don't really think we're worried too much about other teams as much as we're thinking about what we need to do -- score goals, win at home and try to get as many points on the road as possible. So, like I said, we're confident in our team and it's not really a surprise to us -- as much as it is to other people -- that we're doing so well. I think we're just going to try and keep doing what we're doing now and I think in the end we'll be successful if we keep this up.
TheCrew.com
Thanks for chatting with us today, Robbie.
Robbie Rogers
Thanks. Have a good one.
