Q&A with draft pick Jeremy Hall
January 20, 2009
Metro's first round draft pick Jeremy Hall was kind enough to answer a few questions, just a couple of days after becoming the newest member of the team.
MetroFanatic: Because of your position on the field and the draft pick that was used to select you, you'll be replacing one of the most popular players, Dave van den Bergh. What can you do to replace the "Walking Dutchman" in the fans' hearts?
Jeremy Hall: With Dave van den Bergh being trading it leaves a gap on the left side of the midfield. He is a great player and was a huge impact player during his career with the Red Bull. As for me being picked with the Red Bull's first pick I know that the spot will not just be giving to me. I will have to go into preseason camp and try to earn the spot by playing hard and well against all the other great players already on the team. If coach does call my number to play the open spot all I can do is go out there and play to the best of my abilities which is using my pace to get in behind defenders and getting crossing in and getting on the other end of them.
MF: What EXACTLY did you and Juan Carlos Osorio talk about on the plane?
JH: Coach Osorio and I just talked soccer. He asked me about my position, where I played in college, and where I was most comfortable playing in a certain system. We talked about the combine and how I thought I did personally and how it was collectively as a whole. And then just about soccer both in the MLS and abroad. So it was good because we got to know each other a little bit before the draft but I did not know that I would end up in NY. We had a good conversation he is a great guy off the field.
MF: What is your impression of Osorio?
JH: My impression of Osorio is that he is extremely passionate about the game of soccer. He loves to go to training and help teach and make his players better each day in and out. It is something that I am looking forward to as preseason is beginning to start. I am happy with how everything turned out in the draft and can't wait to start playing with the guys.
MF: In your US Soccer bio, you say that you're 100% Spanish, yet your last name is Hall. How is that possible?
JH: Well my mom's side of the family was born in Puerto Rico and my dad's side is from Panama. Yet even though I'm 100% Hispanic I don't understand the language. It's something that I need and want to learn.
MF: Although Seth Stammler went to Maryland, he roots for Ohio State. That seems a little illogical, doesn't it?
JH: Haha yea I guess it does a little bit. But I think that Seth is from Ohio. With that you can see why he likes Ohio State. They are a big time school in football and basketball but when it comes to soccer I bet that he roots for the Terps!
MF: Alexi Lalas called NY the loser of this draft. Why is he wrong?
JH: I did not hear or see this comment by Alexi but as for it I think that he is absolutely wrong. I believe that NY drafted good players from the draft that addressed both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
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