MSGVarsity Interview with boys' varsity soccer player Rob Carreira

Here's my newest article, an interview I did with the Somers Tuskers' Goalie Rob Carreira. It was featured on MSGVarsity.com. Click the link here to see it on the site.


JOSH HANDSZER'S STUDENT ATHLETE INTERVIEW WITH ROB CARREIRA

SOMERS -- Everything that could go right has gone right for the Somers Tuskers Boys Varsity Soccer team this season. A new coach, a sparkling offense, blockade defense, and a bright future have ensured the success of the team, not only for the present, but for perhaps years to come. Under first-year rookie coach Joe Palumbo, the Tuskers have fought hard and compiled a 12-3 record, good for the second seed in the upcoming Section One Playoffs. Palumbo, along with his coaching staff which includes Somers High School earth science teacher Mr. Dave Burke and assistant coach James Palumbo, have worked long and hard with the boys during practices, ensuring great success. “As a new coach, he has been tremendously successful in coming in and supporting the team as a whole,” were the regards given to Palumbo from senior goalie Rob Carreira. “Joe Palumbo is one of the biggest names in soccer around the region and I had the honor to play club soccer for him, and I am honored again to play for him now.”

However, not only the coaches have a positive influence on the men on the field. Seniors Carreira, Anders and Kasper Rassmussen, Dan Moore, Dylan Howie and Justin Kuntz have also had their influence on the game. Behind leading goal scorer Anders Rassmussen, the boys have improved since their 12-8 2009 season. I was able to chat with Rob Carreira, the Tuskers’ goalie and Captain of the last two years who has played his entire high school soccer career for the Tuskers and is responsible for the 2010 team’s success with 9 shutouts in 15 games. One of the more enthusiastic and outgoing players on and off the field, Rob has proven to the be the heart and soul of Somers soccer, as well as Somers “School Spirit,” reading the morning announcements every day with a sense of excitement and a swagger that is unmatchable, making the students feel like the day will be a good day. As expected, his interview went exactly the same way.

Josh Handszer: “Standing at 12-3, compared to last season after finishing last season 12-8, what do you feel has been the difference between the 2009 Somers Soccer Tuskers and the 2010 Somers Soccer Tuskers?”

Rob Carreira: “Last year it took us a very long time to progress as a team and find a really powerful team chemistry. It wasn’t until the playoffs that we were able to settle into a groove and make it all the way to the section finals. Yet this year, we feel very confident as a team, even before playoffs, and we have really become comfortable as a team, allowing us to play the best soccer possible. We know that we have a huge chance of going to the section finals again and possibly going on to states. The biggest difference has been a stronger defense throughout the whole season. Though it is true that our offense has been very successful as well, the defense is the key for success of any team whether it is at the high school level or at the professional level.”

JH: “How confident do you feel with your team making a march into the playoffs, especially coming off a fantastic season in which Anders was your leading goal scorer and you had 9 shutouts in 15 games? Your team was obviously a force to be reckoned with. What are your goals for the playoffs and what are your expectations?”

RC: “I am very confident that our team will once again make it to the section finals and have a great chance of advancing to states. Although we were seeded 14th last year, we were able to beat teams in the playoffs that were all seeded and ranked higher than us. Now we are one of the higher seeds entering the playoffs, and we know there is a lot of pressure to succeed, y et I feel confident that the team will be very successful and win the Section 1 title.”

JH: “You sound a little cocky there, Rob. You’re that confident? (laughs)”

RC: “Of course. We play great soccer and have great team chemistry. I think that’s the combination with the ingredients to a championship.”

JH: “Speaking of team chemistry, Is there a strong presense of chemistry among the team? Is there a certain ritual you all do together before a game? Any superstitions? How do you think your team bonds together and who are your leaders?”

RC: “The team chemistry is fantastic. I think that’s due to the fact that we are really tight friends on and off the field. When you play the game you love with our friends it only makes it more rewarding to win and be successful because you know you are sharing the victory with friends. Before every game I pray to the Lord because I am a pretty religious person and I feel that most of our success comes in part from his blessings. The leaders of the team are obviously the best players, including Anders, Dylan, Dan, Justin and myself. We are able to inspire the team and make sure we stay in line, respect the opponents, play the best soccer possible.”

JH: “You mentioned your senior teammates, how/do you think being a senior has impacted your performance this season, as well as the performance of the team, which is of mixed grade levels? If not, what do you think has made this team so confident and loose?”

RC: “Well of course. Knowing that this is my final year playing for the high school, the only team I’ve really known over the past few years, has really inspired me to have an amazing season and play harder than before. I think all of us, Anders, Dan, Kasper, Justin, Dylan and I feel the same way. Being a senior has also allowed me to feel like a true leader of the team and I feel like a lot of the players look up to those who have the most experience. Yet a lot of younger players are also showing a lot of talent such as Spencer Irwin, Zack Reda, and Dan Ishoo. I know that the team next year will be successful as long as players like those continue to lead the team.”

JH: “Do you feel as though you have a grown as a soccer player throughout your four years of high school soccer? How/why? Do you have any influences on your growth as a player?”

RC: “Oh definitely. My growth, I have to give credit to my teammates constantly helping me to become a better athlete and overall a better person. We all have a very positive influence on each other and we allow one another to thrive, not only on the soccer field, but also in everyday life as well. It is these close bonds of friendships that truly help all players to mature and become better.”

JH: “So besides your teammates, what/who do you feel has made a positive difference for this year's team and how/why?”

RC: “One of the biggest positive influences that occurred this year was the new coaching staff that came to Somers. While the old coach was very skilled and very successful and a close friend of mine, I felt that the newer coaches have a style of coaching that helps the team play the best soccer possible. They are much more patient and understanding, which I feel helps the players feel more comfortable and thus more likely to play beautiful soccer.”

JH: “Speaking of your coach, you’ve given him very high regards, explain the influence of your coach on this year’s team.”

RC: “Coach Palumbo is a terrific coach and he believes in all the players on the team no matter what the circumstances. He is not only a coach, but he has taken on a father figure role for many of the players and I know that we can trust him on and off the field whenever we need him.”

JH: “That really speaks volumes Rob. You guys have an unsurmountable amount of respect towards your coach and that just shows the great influence he has had on you. I think that speaks out about you too. You’ve got tons of school spirit, you do the announcements everyday without a dull sense of feeling, and you make it fun. Do you think that people feel that way?”

RC: “(laughs) I just try to be me.”

JH: “Do you plan to continue your soccer career beyond high school?”

RC: “I hope to play for college, whether it be for a division 3 or division 1 school, I’m still not sure. Yet even if I can’t play for college, I know that I will continue to play for my club team until I can’t walk anymore. I really love the sport of soccer. Of course, even after college there is no replacement for a nice pick-up game with friends after school.”

With a player with as much heart, swagger, and excitement as Rob, it’s hard to not pull for a team full of these guys to win a state championship. With such great team chemistry, an influential coach, and a championship in their eyes, the Tuskers can only hope that their hard work and determination that they’ve relied on all season, will lead them to the glory land.