King in action with Chicago Fire, 2008

Remember the Rowan stadium days? Glassboro, NJ on the map for a month or so. What many people forget is that South Jersey – okay, we’re no Kearny – has produced its’ share of top-notch soccer talent. Take for example, former Maryland Terp and current Seattle Sounder Stephen King. He grew up in Medford, NJ which boasts one of the most successful high school squads in the state. King led Shawnee HS to a #2 national ranking before being recruited by Sasho Cirovski at Maryland. He picked up in college right where he left off in HS, starting every game in a, you could almost say legendary, college career. Cirovski even went on to call him one of the ”all-time greatest players” in Maryland history before he was selected with the 40th pick in the 2008 SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire. Therefore, his rookie year for the Fire was one of eye-opening firsts, a game vs. Everton that saw him tangle with Phil Neville, his first goal, a world with Blanco in it, and most importantly, the chance to live the life of a professional soccer player. After appearing over 20 times for the Fire, King was selected in the Sounders expansion draft. Since then, he has been fighting for a starting spot in one of the most potent midfields in MLS.  He’s making strides, getting his first regular season minutes recently and scoring a goal in a 4-1 Open Cup play-in win over Real Salt Lake (who had just come off of a 6-0 romp of New England). If his answers below are any indication, King’s professionalism and determination convince me that he’ll be cracking that line-up in no time. But if things don’t work out in Seattle, I’ll be the first to welcome him to the Zolos.

Olde City got to ask him a bunch of questions about his season,  life as a professional soccer player, and of course, the Union! If you have any questions you’d like to ask him please put them in the comment section and I will get answers for you.

First off, have you always aspired to be a professional soccer player? Who have been your biggest influences along the way?

Professional soccer has always been my dream. I have been playing since the age of 4, and it has always been my number one focus. Now, to finally realize it, I feel so fortunate. The biggest influences have been my Dad (who played at UPenn), Jake Vollman (youth soccer coach), John Hingley (FC Delco coach), and Sasho Cirovski (Head coach at University of Maryland).

What was your initial reaction after being selected in the expansion draft by the Seattle Sounders? You had just finished up a stellar rookie year and then one day later you were off to the Pacific Northwest. Did you have an inkling of advance warning before you were picked?

I was excited to be selected by Seattle in the expansion draft. I took it as a great compliment that they wanted \ me as one of their picks. Adrian Hanauer gave me a call on the morning of the draft to see how I’d feel about them selecting me. The conversation went well and I was thrilled about being a part of the team out here. I could tell from the outset that this organization was doing things the right way.

As we have seen, the Sounders clearly have not been the typical expansion squad this year. What has been the difference for this team?

I think the difference has been that we aren’t selling ourselves short. Our goal is to make it into the playoffs this year and we aren’t settling for just being competitive. Also, the way that the front office and staff has handled everything has been amazing. It obviously helps when you have the financial backing, but also the way that people are going above and beyond to make this franchise the envy of the league is amazing. Finally, I can’t say enough about how great the fans in this city have been. They have truly embraced the team and have helped us tremendously.

I can imagine with players coming from all over the place – some having played together, others with no one at all – what was the preseason like with Sigi? When did you and your teammates realize you might have something special there in Seattle?

Preseason went extremely smoothly with Sigi. Everyone came in with a positive attitude and was willing to work hard. Sigi did a great job of easing us in because most of us were coming from far away places. We started preseason a little earlier than most teams I believe. That gave us time to settle ourselves in a little bit in Seattle before the more intense training sessions began.

How about the organization? Have you met the owners? We have heard they’re hands on but how much so?

The organization is great. The ownership group is extremely hands-on. We see them a lot in the locker room after games and Adrian watches practice on a daily basis. Drew Carey comes to all the home games and has already been to Toronto and Chicago. Everybody involved is really into this team and knows that what goes on off the field affects the performance on the field.

At Maryland, you were essentially the Cal Ripken, Jr. of Terp soccer, starting every game and leading the squad as captain for two years (a huge deal at such a soccer powerhouse!). It has to been frustrating not to get on the field as much in your first two years as a professional?

At this level, no one is accustomed to sitting on the bench. I think most players have gone through their careers being the star of whatever team they were on until now. At the end of the day, you just have to be thankful for the opportunity to still be playing soccer. Everyone would kill to be on the field, but sometimes you just have to wait for your opportunity to come and make sure you are the most prepared for it as you can be.

As our Philadelphia faithful get ready to welcome their team as it comes together, what can you say about the Seattle fans that could aid the Sons of Ben in the long and news-filled 10 months ahead?

From a player’s standpoint, the fans do make a difference. When you are playing in front of a packed-house full of passionate fans, it gives you that extra bounce in your step. In the MLS, you need to get points at home to do well. I know the Philadelphia area is rich in soccer tradition and I feel good about the support that the team will receive.

How’d it feel getting your first goal for Seattle in the US Open Cup qualifier vs. Real Salt Lake the other day?

It felt amazing to get that first goal last week against RSL in the US Open Cup game. It was my first time playing this season in a real game and I just wanted to go out there and prove myself. I thought we had a great performance as a team and we are excited for our next US Open Cup game against Colorado.

King in his college days

With Philadelphia coming into the league, as a young professional you can’t exactly ask to wind up back home but at some point in your career, would you like to be playing on the Chester Waterfront?

Absolutely. Growing up in South Jersey, I have always rooted for Philadelphia sports teams. I always knew that MLS would come to Philadelphia because the market there for soccer is too good to ignore. It would be a dream come true to one day play for the hometown team. I love the Philadelphia area, I have family and friends there, and it would be an amazing experience. Whether that happens sooner or later, I don’t know. I just know at some point in my career it would be incredible. I would definitely love to play in Philly. With that being said, I am happy here in Seattle, too.

With the identity of the Philadelphia MLS squad drawing near (May 11th), what do you think the squad should be called?

With the announcement looming about the team name, I am very excited to find out what it will be. I’ve heard that it may be Union Philadelphia or the Philadelphia Independence. I don’t really have a preference to be honest. I’m just excited for everything to be revealed.

UPDATE: We’re pretending the “leak” never happened. I’ll get his take on it next week.

You are a great player in a long line of great players to come out of the FC Delco program. What is it that makes FC Delco one of the best youth programs in the nation? Are you excited to see that they’ll be such a big part in the development of the Philly franchise?

FC Delco is a fantastic organization. I think the one thing that makes it special is the commitment of the coaches to the players. My coach, John Hingley, went above and beyond what most coaches do. He ensured we got into the best tournaments, spent countless hours talking to college coaches, and each week ran good, competitive training sessions. I owe him so much. Without him, I would probably not have the opportunities that I have today.

If you were Nick Sakiewicz, who would be your number one Designated Player target for Philly’s opening in 2010?

That’s a tough job deciding on who to go after for the Designated Player. There are so many good players out there. Also, with the MLS getting more and more recognition, more world-class players are willing to come here. I think the biggest thing is the attitude of the player that is selected. You want someone who is willing to work hard and make the team better. Not a player who is just finishing out his career.

Living and growing up in South Jersey, you were probably in and around Philly a lot. What is it you miss about the area?

Growing up in South Jersey, I have great memories of the area. I didn’t go into the city a great amount. My favorite aspect of the area is the Jersey Shore. Now that I’m older though, I definitely feel like I could enjoy the city a bit more.

Olde City: ” now that I’m older though” must mean “over 21″.

Overall, what has been the hardest thing to deal with in the transition to professional soccer? What about your most surreal moment?

The hardest thing to deal with for me has been facing the ups and downs of playing time and uncertainty about the future. It’s tough at this level because one week you may be starting, then the next week you are not playing. Then the week after that you may be injured, etc. I think the biggest thing is to not get too high or too low about any given situation. You just need to keep working and be thankful for the fact that you get to play soccer for a living. The most surreal moment for me was when I scored my first professional goal last year against New England at Gilette Stadium. It was the first game that my Dad had been to with the Fire. To score with him in the stands was the most amazing moment.

With the success of the Sounders, do you feel us Sons of Ben and other Philly soccer fans will be holding the new squad to a higher level than past expansion squads in their inaugural years?

I think that the standard of the MLS has gotten higher. I think with all the new expansion teams that will be coming into the league, the bar has risen. I’m confident that the Sons of Ben will fully support this team. I also know that Philly fans in general are incredible fans. I know that this franchise will be a success on and off the field.

Olde City: Stephen, thanks for taking the time. Good luck this Sunday and hope to see you donning the blue and gold sooner rather than later!