In the latest part of our ongoing series, we corner New York Red Bulls soccer star Tyler Lassiter and shoot him a few questions about life in New York and New Jersey and playing in the MLS...
Tyler Lassiter
New York Red Bulls Defender (currently on loan to Carolina Railhawks)
Birthplace: Wake Forest, North Carolina - July 4, 1989
How and when did you start playing soccer?
'Well I think when I was 5 years old. At first I played baseball, but I found it too slow and boring. For me, there wasn’t enough action. Soccer was and is definitely more interesting for me. In soccer, there is always action you are always moving and you always have something to do on the pitch.'
Which players did you most admire when you where younger?
I really like Manchester United, so I really like to watch Paul Scholes and those guys.
So Manchester United is your favorite club besides the New York Red Bulls?
'Oh yeah, absolutely, because when I was younger I went to England and I saw the stadium, the atmosphere was amazing. Since then, I've been a big Man U fan through and through.
Do you like watching the Premier League?
'Yes, because it's a really competitive league from the top to the bottom and all the teams are really good. It’s really exciting to watch the games.'
'Everybody tries to give his best all the time and everybody tries to win.'
How do you think soccer stands among other sports in the US at the moment?
'I think the soccer here and the league itself is definitely improving. We all come out and work really hard at every practice session and at every game. Everybody tries to give his best all the time and everybody tries to win, so I think that the MLS is growing and is definitely coming up.'
What does it mean for you to be a player from the New York Red Bulls even though you are loan now to Carolina Railhawks for the rest of the season?
'Oh, I love it so much. I mean I'm from the East Coast, I've never really lived on the West Coast so I love being close to my family. You know everything here at the New York Red Bulls is so great, the infrastructure, the stadium, everything.
What makes New York so special to you?
'Just the city. There's everything you can possibly think of, you can eat at so many different places, it’s just so exciting here. I think I will miss it for the time I am not there this season.'
Do you have a favorite hotspot in New York or New Jersey?
'My favorite restaurant is Tony Dinapoli in Times Square. It’s a pretty good Italian restaurant. I love Italian food.'
Who is your closest confidante on the team?
'Well, I actually don’t have any best friends because I really like all the guys on the team. But when I am at the New York Red Bulls, I hang out most of the time with my roommates and my neighbours John (Rooney), Corey (Hertzog) and Marcos (Paullo).'
What's special to you about the New York Red Bulls?
'Everybody on the team is so close, we all get along very well, you can say it's a good locker room. There's a good sprit in the team and I think that is really important to be successful as a team.'
You're still a young player, how is it for you to be part of a team where top stars like Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez are playing?
'Yes definitely. Those guys are awesome players and I've been watching them since I was a little boy. I have to say it's amazing to be on the same team with them. I can learn a lot from them for my future.'
Talking about the future, what are your personal goals?
'I am now on loan to Carolina Railhawks of the North American Soccer League for the remainder of the season, but when I come back [to RBNY] I will hopefully make the starring eleven. That’s the goal I'm focussing on.'
Want more?
Comments
Add a comment