ELY ALLEN
(Los Angeles Galaxy)
POSITION: Midfielder.
AGE: 22
HOMETOWN: Kent, Wash.
YOUTH CLUB: Emerald City Football Club (2 years)
COLLEGE: University of Washington
INTERNATIONAL: U.S. U-18s.
STARTING OUT: Growing up I played all kinds of sports like baseball and football. My Dad got me into soccer. My family played soccer. My brother played, too.
EARLY SOCCER MEMORY: I remember playing in a rec league. I got to play with my best buddy. He was my neighbor and his dad was our coach. I was pretty fast so I was able to dominate games.
FIRST CLEATS: I had some ghetto Patrick cleats. They were old school, rubber Patricks that were all black with a white outline.
CURRENT CLEATS: Nike Vapors. They're comfortable and they come in a lot of colors. So, I mix them up depending on my mood. Red is the older color coach won't let us wear.
OTHER SPORTS: Baseball, football, badminton, track.
FAVORITE TEAMS: Arsenal, Lakers, San Francisco 49ers.
FAVORITE PLAYERS: Thierry Henry, Kobe Bryant, Terrell Owens.
FAVORITE MOVIES: "Dumb & Dumber" and "Rambo (2008)".
FAVORITE ACTOR: Will Smith.
FAVORITE ACTRESS: Jessica Biel.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: "Family Guy."
LIVING SITUATION: I live in Seal Beach, which is outside of Orange County. I live with three other rookies in a two-bedroom apartment. It's a nice apartment. It's got a pool and it's near the beach.
PLAYING WITH DAVID BECKHAM: It's been great. He's a great player. In person, he's 10 times better than on TV. Playing with him makes everyone better.
PLAYING WITH LANDON DONOVAN: It's been great, as well. He's also a great player who makes everyone better. He has great vision, he's fast and he's a great player to look up to.
MLS EXPERIENCE: It's been good. I've had a great time. There have been lots of ups and downs. As rookie, things have been positive. I've played in a few games and I hope to contribute more.
COLLEGE EXPERIENCE: It was great. I had three great coaches. Dean Wurzberger, Seth Spidahl and Richard Reece really helped me. Off the field, I lived near the Greek row. There wasn't a time when I was bored. If you're bored in college, I don't know what you're doing!
MOST INFLUENTIAL COACH: Brian Schmetzer when I was at Emerald City Football club.
MEMORABLE COACHING ADVICE (from youth coach): There isn't one bit that I remember to a pinpoint. But, overall, I consistently got great advice.
HOBBIES: I like going to the beach. I'm a mall rat. I blame that on my roommate. I like bocce ball and video games, too.
MUSIC: Hip-hop, Rap, Classic Rock. I like Lil' Wayne, Will Smith and Ludacris.
VACATION: I got to go to Hawaii in the preseason. I'd been there with my parents when I was younger. It's relaxing.
FAMOUS PEOPLE YOU'D INVITE TO DINNER: Will Smith, Eva Longoria, Shaquille O'Neal and Jerry Rice.
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