Join Now  | 
Home About Contact Us Privacy & Security Advertise
Soccer America Daily Special Edition Around The Net Soccer Business Insider College Soccer Reporter Youth Soccer Reporter Soccer on TV Soccer America Classifieds
Paul Gardner: SoccerTalk Soccer America Confidential Youth Soccer Insider World Cup Watch
RSS Feeds Archives Manage Subscriptions Subscribe
Order Current Issue Subscribe Manage My Subscription Renew My Subscription Gift Subscription
My Account Join Now
Tournament Calendar Camps & Academies Soccer Glossary Classifieds
Rising Star Profile: D.C. United's Rodney Wallace
by Bryan Alvarez, July 2nd, 2009 6:45AM
Subscribe to Soccer America Daily


MOST READ


[MLS] A year after helping Maryland win the 2008 College Cup, Rodney Wallace finds himself contributing significant minutes (1,336 in 16 games) to a resurgent D.C. United. This Costa Rica native, who moved to the USA at age 9, has chipped in two goals and three assists. Get to know the 21-year-old in this profile by Soccer America's Bryan Alvarez that covers on- and off-field experiences.

Rodney Wallace (D.C. United)


POSITION: Midfielder
AGE: 21
BIRTH: June 17, 1988 in San Jose, Costa Rica.
HOMETOWN: Rockville, Md.

YOUTH CLUB: Casa Mia Bays
COLLEGE: Maryland
INTERNATIONAL: None.

STARTING OUT IN SOCCER: I grew up in Costa Rica. It's the way of life over there. You fall into it.
EARLY SOCCER MEMORY: When I was 8 years, I had a game but it was raining. My father and I thought the game was canceled but it wasn't. I went to the game and came on at halftime. I scored 4 goals. FIRST CLEATS: I don't remember, but my aunt gave them to me. CURRENT CLEATS: AdiPures.


OTHER SPORTS:
Soccer was always my main focus. I take it very seriously.
FAVORITE TEAMS: Washington Redskins and A.C. Milan.
FAVORITE PLAYER: Kaka.
FAVORITE MOVIES: "Gangs of New York" and "Love & Basketball."
FAVORITE ACTOR: Martin Lawrence.
FAVORITE ACTRESS: None.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: "Locked Up Abroad."


LIVING SITUATION: I live with [fellow rookie] Chris Pontius. We live near downtown D.C.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: I think my roommate has it right now. He's playing well.
MLS EXPERIENCE: It's been exciting. It's been like a really good rollercoaster. Everyone has been great and the team is performing well on the field.
COLLEGE: It was fun, great and short. It was definitely worth it. I loved being around my best friends, my teammates.

MOST INFLUENTIAL COACH: My father, Sydney Wallace, knows a lot about the game.
MEMORABLE COACHING ADVICE (from youth coach): Enjoy the game. Enjoy playing.

HOBBIES: Watching movies and finding good restaurants. I like to eat so I love finding good food.
MUSIC: Everything. I'm not picky.
READING: I like magazines. I'm not much of a reader.
VACATION: Costa Rica. I have a good time every time I go.
FAMOUS PERSON YOU'D INVITE TO DINNER: Jay-Z.

 



No comments yet.

Sign in to leave a comment. Don't have an account? Join Now


AUTHORS

ARCHIVES
FOLLOW SOCCERAMERICA

Recent Soccer America Daily
Important games on tap for Montreal and Portland    
[MLS SCHEDULE: Week 17] The surprise teams of the season so far face tough tests Wednesday ...
The 'Special 1' as you've never seen him before     
[VIDEO PICK: Special 1] Jose Mourinho opens up for a heartfelt chat where the coach talks ...
Ticos look to move closer to World Cup berth    
[HEXAGONAL] Following a 1-0 win over Honduras and 0-0 tie at Mexico, Costa Rica looks in ...
A six-pointer that really matters    
[USA-HONDURAS] For all the talk about the U.S. road success in recent World Cup qualifying cycles, ...
FIFA rulings could change picture in three groups    
[WORLD CUP QUALIFYING: Africa] Ethiopia and Tunisia were among five teams that qualified over the weekend ...
Besler leads player ratings through Day 5    
[USA MEN] Jurgen Klinsmann has already used 26 players in the Hexagonal, and the USA is ...
What They're Saying    
"Pep did it as he always -- obsessively. Every day four hours, like a mad man. ...
Rapids trade veteran Mastroeni to Galaxy    
[MLS SPOTLIGHT] The Oscar Pareja makeover of the Colorado Rapids continues. A mainstay of the Rapids ...
Tahitian joy in the midst of defeat    
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] As expected Nigeria trounced Tahiti, 6-1, in their Confederations Cup match Monday in Belo ...
More troubles for Mexico    
[CONFEDERATIONS CUP] Mexico's 2-1 loss to Italy to open play at the Confederations Cup was its ...
>> Soccer America Daily Archives