2010 MLS Combine Interview: Penn State's Jason Yeisley

Penn State forward Jason Yeisley will competing against a deep forward class at this weekend’s MLS Combine. Yeisley, one of the nation’s top scholar athletes as the 2009 men's soccer recipient of the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, led Penn State to a undefeated home record as well as to the brink of a Big Ten title.

The First Team All-Big Ten forward kindly spoke with Soccer City FC about this weekend's combine.


Photo Credit: Penn State Athletics
Q. Let's start with the obvious, how is the knee?

The knee is 100%. I owe so much to the medical staff and trainers at Penn State. They did an amazing job of not only helping me get back to health, but they helped me return to being able to play division one soccer. When I was playing this season, my knee felt like nothing ever happened and I was able to play without even thinking of the injury.

Q. What did the Lowe's Award mean to you, to be recognized as a student-athlete?

I take a lot of pride in everything I do in life, whether it is on the field or in the classroom, I always try to do my best. The Lowe's award is nice but I am not concerned with individual awards. I am, however, extremely pleased that through the Lowe's Award, the Race For Adam Foundation has received some publicity. I met Adam Recke my freshman year in college shortly after he was diagnosed with Niemann-Pick Disease. His father was one of my teachers in middle school and over my time at Penn State my relationship with Adam and his family has grown significantly. Adam has been our honorary captain 3 or 4 times and we have tried to do everything we can to support them and raise awareness of Niemann-Pick Disease and the Race For Adam Foundation (RaceForAdam.org)

Q. With time off since your last collegiate game and the MLS Combine, how do you think your first touch will be?

I have been training a lot during this break. I have been keeping up my fitness from the season and getting plenty of touches on the ball. I am hoping the first touch will pick right back up where I left off at the end of the season.

Q. What have you focused on heading into the combine?

Like I said, I have been training a lot, especially working on my fitness level. I am going to focus on doing what I do best at the combine and not try to change anything that got me to this point in my career.

Q. Who did you pattern your game after growing up, if anyone?

Ruud van Nistelrooy. He is a great player and goal scorer. Growing up, I always enjoyed watching him at Manchester United.

Q. Is the Big Ten an elite soccer conference?

I think the Big Ten is one of the best soccer conferences. There is a high level of competition between all of the teams and we had several ranked teams in this year's NCAA tournament.