Rising Star: The Dynamo's Geoff Cameron

• by Bryan Alvarez  @somuser, Sep 1, 2009

[MLS] Geoff Cameron is a second-year player with the Houston Dynamo and was finalist for last year's MLS Rookie of the Year Award. This year, he's established himself as a starter and made the MLS All-Star team. Get to know the 24-year-old in this profile by Soccer America's Bryan Alvarez that covers on and off-field experiences.

GEOFF CAMERON
(Houston Dynamo)

POSITION: Midfielder/Defender
AGE: 24
HOMETOWN: Attleboro, Mass.
MLS CLUB: Houston Dynamo
YOUTH CLUB: Bayside United
COLLEGE: West Virginia University & University of Rhode Island

STARTING OUT: My father loved ice hockey. So, that was my first sport. I don't know what happened. Maybe Dad tied my skates too tight one day. But, I fell in love with soccer.
EARLY SOCCER MEMORY: During the 1994 World Cup, Bolivia played at Foxboro. I got to play with the Bolivian national team. I even got to take pictures with Marco Etcheverry.
FIRST CLEATS: Adidas, the Pele version.
CURRENT CLEATS: Adidas adipures, all black.
OTHER SPORTS: Hockey, lacrosse, basketball, tennis.
 

FAVORITE TEAMS: Every team from New England except the Revolution. For soccer, I liked Real Madrid with Zinedine Zidane, Manchester United with Eric Cantona and Juventus with Edgar Davids.
FAVORITE PLAYERS: Zinedine Zidane, Edgar Davids, Jonathan Papelbon and Ray Allen.
FAVORITE MOVIES: I like action movies. I liked "The Bourne Identity" and "The Boondock Saints." I also liked "White Chicks" and "The Hangover."
FAVORITE ACTOR: Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe.
FAVORITE ACTRESS: Eva Mendes.
FAVORITE TV SHOW: "Entourage," "Rescue Me."

LIVING SITUATION: I live with Corey Ashe and Nick Kowba, our team administrator.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: I think Rodney Wallace or Chris Pontius from D.C. will win.
MLS EXPERIENCE: It's been fantastic. I've been very fortunate. Last year, I was runner-up for Rookie of the Year. This year, I've earned a starting spot. I got a chance to get called into the All-Star team. I wake up every morning and do what I love to do. I love to play soccer and I'm fortunate enough to be doing it.
ALL-STAR GAME: I was nervous when I found out that I made it. When I found out Dom [Houston coach Dominic Kinnear] was the coach, it put my nerves down. It was cool having the Dynamo guys there and playing with great talents like Conor Casey, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Landon Donovan. We got to play against one of the better teams in the EPL [Everton]. I watch those guys on Sunday and I got to play against them. Overall, it was a great experience. I was fairly nervous for the first 10 minutes. But, I think I played well after that.

COLLEGE: West Virginia was a good experience. We made the tournament a couple times. Unfortunately, the program had some violations against the rules. After that, I transferred to the University of Rhode Island. My sister and brother went there. My junior year we won the Atlantic 10. We also went to a Sweet 16 in the NCAA tournament. I had good times and a lot of fun. I got to focus on school and soccer.
MOST INFLUENTIAL COACH: My father, Scott Cameron. He was tough on me and got the best out of me. Another coach would be Stacey DeCastro. I think he's one of the better coaches to develop young players in America. He pushed me. Peter Ferrer was also influential. He's like my godfather. I've known him since U-6 soccer.
MEMORABLE COACHING ADVICE (from youth coach): The 3 D's - Discipline, Dedication and Desire.

HOBBIES: Going to the movies, hanging out with the guys and playing table tennis. I go out once and awhile but for the most part, I'm low key.
MUSIC: I like everything except country. I love classic rock, techno and rap.
READING: I'm a magazine guy. I read Maxim on a regular basis. I also read Men's Health.
VACATION: I want to go to Fiji. My spot now is my home in Boston. When I'm there I hang out with friends and family.
FAMOUS PEOPLE YOU'D INVITE TO DINNER: Eva Mendes!