Interview with Chris Pontius, DC United

Ho ho ho! It's Christmas Day in football land, and everyone here at twofootedtackle would like to wish everyone out there a very happy holiday. As a festive gift to you and (mostly) to ourselves, we're delighted to bring you a tinsel-adorned and turkey-stuffed interview with the very man who is the focus of the humble website at which this interview was originally posted.

I was naturally chuffed to bits when Chris agreed to spend a few minutes on the phone with me just a couple of days before Christmas. Even better, a fluke of timing meant that I spoke to DC's number 13 on the day the United States national team coach, Bob Bradley, announced his 30-strong training roster for next month's camp at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

"I'm very pleased with it," said Chris when asked about his call-up. "It's one of my goals. I'm playing soccer to get called up for the national soccer team and I think getting called up to the training camp is the next step for me. I'm excited and thrilled to be called in but I want to go in there and perform well.

"I like our draw for the World Cup a lot. England's obviously going to be a really, really tough game and I think they're the favourites to win the group but I expect us to do well in the group stage and move on. The first game against England is going to be a big game and hopefully we can get some points out of it, but other than that I really like our draw. I was pleased to see Slovenia and Algeria come out in the draw. They're not easy teams but I think we should get out of the group stage."

After a successful summer in 2009 and a favourable group draw for World Cup 2010, Pontius is optimistic about the USA's chances in South Africa.

"Watching us in the Confederations Cup, people have seen how far we can really go. Once you get into the knockout rounds anything can happen. It's about whichever team shows up on the day, and it's up to the US to play well and if we can surprise one or two of the better teams like we did in the Confederations Cup then I think we can get deep into the knockout rounds."

2009 was less impressive domestically, as DC United failed again to make the playoffs and, despite a mighty effort, couldn't progress from the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League. Coach Tom Soehn has since departed, and change is afoot at RFK.

"We had so many games in the season and obviously we did well in the US Open Cup and the Champions League. We didn't advance but we put in a good showing. With all the games we played, we found it difficult to make the playoffs but I thought we played well in a lot of games and there's a good chemistry between the players."

My highlight of the Champions League run was the goal which put United ahead in a tough away tie at Toluca, a stunning volley by the Californian rookie. He didn't mention it, of course, so I decided to remind him.

"I think it's the best goal I've ever scored. It was one of those things, you don't think about it and just react. I reacted and put in a great finish. I didn't realise until I saw it afterwards what a good goal it was so I was pretty surprised."

Pontius appeared in 28 of DC United's MLS games in 2009, scoring four times and contributing three assists. He occupied a variety of positions but settled in remarkably well for a rookie, and made the Rookie of the Year shortlist along with Stefan Frei and eventual winner Omar Gonzalez. Fellow rookie Rodney Wallace also played a huge part in DC's season, and Pontius believes the pair settled in well thanks to a little help from the likes of Ben Olsen and Jaime Moreno.

"We got on really well with the older players. When we first came in we were pretty timid but as we broke out of our shells we earned the respect of the older players and got along with them. That's partly due to them, because they were very welcoming and took us under their wings and helped us along with the transition from the college game to the pro game."

So, with positives to take from 2009, DC United and Chris Pontius face a pivotal 2010. The player has his foot in the door with Bradley and the USMNT, but United will have a new coach, new players and, hopefully, a new sense of urgency. Major League Soccer's most decorated club must turn around its fortunes in the league's fifteenth season.

"We start pre-season with DC on February 1st, so after spending January with the US camp I should be fit and ready to go into pre-season and I'm excited to get back there as well. I know there's going to be a lot of changes in the organisation but I'm sure they'll all be for the better and I think we're headed in the right direction.

"I have very, very high expectations of DC next year. Obviously anything less than the playoffs will be considered a failure and I think with the players we have we should be battling it out for the Supporters Shield and for MLS Cup. We're not in the Champions League next year so we don't have that competition to worry about, and we can focus on the competitions we're in and have a good run at MLS Cup final."

For DC United fans, talk of MLS Cup is music to the ears after a couple of difficult seasons. Pontius will play a huge part in the 2010 season under a new head coach, and, judging by his 2009 form, will be a joy to watch. And in a potentially crucial year for the development of the US Soccer market, with the USA's draw against England sure to open yet more eyes to the beautiful game, Chris Pontius is more than capable of making a name for himself.

And with that, we'd like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas on both sides of the Atlantic. Many thanks to Chris for taking the time to speak to me, and to Kyle Sheldon for working with me to set up the interview - a very helpful chap and no mistake. Here's to a prosperous New Year for everyone connected with the Black-and-Red.