Today, Soccer City FC spoke via email with Wake Forest University's Patrick Phelan. The senior defender/midfielder was an instrumental member of the 2007 NCAA National Champion Demon Deacons who defeated Ohio State 2-1 in the College Cup on December 16. The Deacons posted an impressive 22-2-2 record enroot to their first National Championship. Patrick has garnered several honors at the conclusion of the 2007 season including being named a 2007 NSCAA First Team All-American as well as being selected to Soccer America's 2007 First Team MVP list. He was recently named as one of the 54 players who will be attending the 2008 MLS Combine which will take place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida from January 11th through the 15th.
Sean Grybos: First Off, I want to extend my congratulations to you and your teammates regarding the season. What memories do you have from the 2007 College Cup experience?
Patrick Phelan: Thank you; it sure was the perfect way to end my athletic career at Wake Forest. I think when I look back on the College Cup there are a few things that stick out. The first memory I have is of handing the National Championship trophy to our coach, Jay Vidovich. If people around the country knew how hard he, and the rest of our staff, has worked since our loss against UCSB last season they would understand how much it meant to him to finally win a National Championship. Another memory I have is of my teammate Julian Valentin and the bloody scar he had on his face. Having known Jules for 5 or 6 years now, I can say that was actually an appropriate way for him to end his career at Wake. He's truly a warrior and the way he puts himself, and his body, before the team was a big reason for our success of our program in the past 4 years. A final memory I have is walking out of the locker room after the game and celebrating with my family who rarely get the oppprtunity to see me play so it was very special to have them there.
SG: Did you have any reservations about making the switch mid-season from backline to midfield?
PP: I had no reservations whatsoever. I think that for me, and for the coaching staff, it made the most sense to move me into the midfield. In practice I used to have a tendency to push forward quite a bit and I felt very comfortable moving into the midfield. It also made sense for the future of the program as it would have been difficult to replace two senior centerbacks. By moving me forward, Ike Opara was able to gain a valuable year of experience which will be crucial to our success in the next few years.
SG: Now that you can reflect back upon the 2007 season what means more to you from an individual standpoint: scoring your first two collegiate goals on October 9th or being a part of the squad's fifteen shutouts?
PP: It's obviously got to be the latter of the two. It was very special to finally score, especially at our home field, but I came to Wake Forest to win a championship and scoring two goals against Appalachian State was not as vital to our success as the performance of our defense was. Posting 15 shutouts also illustrates the consistency of our defense and when you look at the difficulty of our schedule the achievement becomes even more special.
SG: You were born in Houston, Texas but now live in Enfield, Connecticut. What were you thinking during the 2007 MLS Cup?
PP: It's great to see that soccer has really taken hold in Houston. Living in New England, however, I was sympathizing with the Revolution who had come so close the past few years. I guess I was in a sort of win-win situation if you want to look at it that way; I'm good friends with a few players on each team. Nonetheless, I was more interested in the quality of play.
SG: What sort of expectations and objectives are you looking at regarding the upcoming 2008 MLS Combine?
PP: Even though I'm 22 years old it doesn't mean that I have stopped developing so I'm going to approach it as I would approach any training session and just try to get a little better each day. I am not going to be too concerned with impressing coaches or the other players. I'm thankful for the opportunity to participate in the combine and just hope that I can represent myself and my school well.
SG: Is there anything that can be said about being able to attend the combine with teammates Brian Edwards and Julian Valentin?
PP: It's very special to have them there with me. Both players definitely deserve to be at the combine and it reflects well on the university and the soccer program. To have 75% of the graduating class invited to the combine is a testament to the quality of Coach Vidovich's program. I'm sure they will both do very well and will have successful careers as professionals.
SG: Will you be in attendance at the 2008 MLS Draft or will you be with family and friends?
PP: I sure hope so but at this point I cannot say yes or no. There is a possibility that I will be in camp with the U23 Men's National Team during that time but I'm not certain on that quite yet. However, if I can attend I will certainly try to be there.
SG: I want to thank you for your time and again extend my sincerest wishes on your upcoming soccer future; best of luck at the combine.
PP: You're quite welcome. Thanks so much.
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