Real Salt Lake is arguably the best team in Major League Soccer right now. They are unbeaten in league play and this week they begin their CONCACAF Champions League Final series with Mexican team Monterrey. To talk about all these things and a little more we talked with Real Salt Lake defender Chris Wingert.
Total MLS (TMLS): Growing up and playing soccer and with your father playing professional soccer, who were some players you looked up to and tried to model your game after?
Chris Wingert (CW): I grew up training mostly with my father, and then as I got older, Tom Bouklas. Tom was the head coach of St. John the Baptist high school (where I ended up going), and was a brilliant trainer. He always studied Dutch soccer, so most of his trainings were similar to the way Ajax and Holland trained their youth. I grew up watching players like Jari Litmanen, Dennis Bergkamp, Edgar Davids, Marc Overmars, etc. I loved their “total football” and still admire their current stars (Sneijder in particular). When I was young all the focus was on technique. As I got older, tactics and the physical part of the game (running, weight training) became more important.
TMLS: After a very successful college career, what were some of the toughest adjustments for you when you got to Major League Soccer?
CW: I think anytime you start playing at a higher level the speed of the game tends to be the most critical adjustment. Your mind needs to move quicker and hopefully your body can keep up. For me, I felt fairly comfortable right from the start because I had been consistently training with pros before I began to play in MLS, but there is always an adjustment period.
TMLS: Simon Borg of ExtraTime Radio (the MLS produced podcast) talked about how unbelievable the atmosphere was at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium. How good was the atmosphere in the stadium in your opinion? Do the Spanish speaking players let any of you in on what the people in the crowd are saying?
CW: The atmosphere in Costa Rica was incredible. Certainly one of the best crowds I have ever witnessed. I have played in front of more people than that on a number of occasions, but that was about as loud and intense as 20 thousand people can be. Sometimes you can hear what individual fans are saying, but usually during the game it’s difficult. Maybe that’s a good thing though, haha
TMLS: What did the win against Saprissa in the Champions League mean for the club and MLS as a whole?
CW: I think the win against Saprissa meant a lot for both RSL and Major League Soccer. In this case, I think people are starting to understand what a big deal this tournament is, because we are winning. If we didn’t have an MLS team in the finals, I have a feeling the average fan wouldn’t realize what it means to be CONCACAF champion. When you explain to someone that the winner will go to Japan and play against the UEFA champions league winner (i.e. Manchester United, Barcelona, etc.) for a chance to be named World Champion, it tends to grab their attention. That’s when they realize it’s a big deal.
TMLS: Heading into the Champions League final against Mexican team Monterrey does the USA-Mexico rivalry come into play for you as players and how does the feeling for this match compare to an MLS Cup Final?
CW: The rivalry absolutely means something! I think that’s why we are getting so much support from around the league. If it was another MLS team playing against Monterrey in the final, I would certainly be pulling for the MLS club. On the international level we have proved we are, if not the best, right on par with Mexico but the clubs in our league (young as it is) have certainly not had the same success that some of the big Mexican clubs have had. We still need to prove we can beat those teams more consistently.
In terms of what it means to the club, it will be similar to winning an MLS Cup (maybe slightly more significant) but the feeling will be a little different because of the aggregate system (2 games), and also the fact that we are in the middle of our season, so there won’t be much time to enjoy the victory (like we would at the end of the year) if we are fortunate enough to win.
TMLS: With all the emphasis the club has put on the CONCACAF Champions League, how do you and the rest of the club avoid a letdown after having played the most emphasized games on the schedule all before the end of April?
CW: Right now it is certainly our top priority to try and win the CCL but we feel like last year was a missed opportunity for us (not winning another MLS cup), and we don’t want to miss that opportunity again. We know we have a good team, and there are only so many chances to win a championship. The next couple of weeks will be completely focused on CCL. After that, we will refocus and try to keep winning games within the MLS.
TMLS: Is the current back line for RSL the strongest back line you have ever played on? What does it mean for you and your style of play as an individual player knowing that there is adequate support around you?
CW: Currently we have a very good back line; I think most people would agree but the reason we have had success the past couple years is our team defense. Everyone buys into the system that Jason and our staff have put in place, and that is the key. In terms of individuals though, it’s hard to ask for better guys to play next to. Each guy back there has been terrific to play with. Hopefully we can keep this group together for a few more years.
TMLS: Jason Kreis was a great player in MLS and now has made a successful move to managing. Can you give us some insight on what it’s like playing for a young coach who knows a lot of what you as players are going through day in and day out.
CW: Playing for Jason has been great. The main reason why I came to RSL a few years ago was to play for Robin Fraser (our former assistant coach) and Jason. I knew that they both had great soccer minds, and it always helps when your coach is a former player (especially within the same league). Our entire staff is former MLS players, and I believe that has really helped us, especially with the schedule. They know what we are going through and how to manage the day to day, week to week, grind of a long season in MLS.
TMLS: We always hear the argument that the reason the US is not a global soccer power is that our best athletes play football or basketball or baseball? What are your thoughts on this and what do you think US Soccer needs to do become more competitive on the world stage?
CW: I think there is some truth to that statement. If every kid in our country grew up playing soccer, and only soccer, than we would certainly be better than we are but, I still think we will become one of the top few teams in the world. When? I am not exactly sure, but it will happen. I think it’s a combination of a few different things; having a successful domestic league (so kids can grow up envisioning a future in the sport), continuing to pour money into our national team program, and to keep raising the interest in the sport. All of these things are happening, but it’s still going to take a while before we are truly a top 5 or 10 team in the world.
I’d like to thank Chris for taking the time to talk with us. We, along with most US and MLS soccer fans, wish he and Real Salt Lake the best of luck as they take on Monterrey. Bring the trophy to MLS Chris!
