RISING STAR: Javanon's Taylor Hafling

• by Bryan Alvarez  @somuser, Feb 4, 2009

Taylor Hafling had a strong showing in goal leading his under-17 club team, Javanon, to a second-place finish at Disney's Soccer Showcase. He stopped three of the penalty kicks he faced in the tournament, including one in the final against Chelsea. His performance earned him a spot on the Disney's all-stars that will travel to England for a two-week training opportunity in August. For more on this Rising Star, part of a deep junior class of top college prospects from Kentucky.

POSITION: Goalkeeper
AGE: 16
HOMETOWN: Louisville, Ky.
YOUTH CLUB: '92 Javanon
COLLEGE: Still looking.
STARTING OUT: I started out when I was younger, kicking around in the backyard and shooting against the garage. We would play "best of 10." My brothers would shoot and I'd try to stop as many as I could.
EARLY SOCCER MEMORY: My dad told me that when I was little I'd play with my brothers in the backyard. I was the monkey in the middle and they would keep the ball away. They would run around and I would chase it.
FIRST CLEATS: Some Adidas from Walmart.
CURRENT CLEATS: Adidas Predators.
OTHER SPORTS: Basketball, Tee ball.
FAVORITE TEAMS: Kentucky Basketball, Boston Celtics and Newcastle United.
FAVORITE PLAYER: Dwight Howard.
FAVORITE MOVIES: 300, Green Street Hooligans.
FAVORITE ACTOR: Chris Farley.
FAVORITE ACTRESS: Jessica Alba.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: ESPN SportsCenter.
MOST INFLUENTIAL COACH: Tubane Sutu and Nathan Pitcock.
MEMORABLE COACHING ADVICE (from youth coach): Put your mistakes behind you as soon as they happened.
HOBBIES: Anything recreational. I like to ride bikes and go running. I like to stay active.
MUSIC: Any genre. I like country, rap, anything.
READING: My favorite book is "The Great Gatsby".
VACATION: I've always wanted to go to Germany. I'm looking forward to going to England in August.