Soccer 365 Q&A with Bocanegra
(Soccer365.com) - Carlos Bocanegra made his first World Cup appearance in the U.S. do-or-die match against Italy. His hard-nosed, gritty play was instrumental to the Americans grinding out a point even while down a man. After a press conference appearance, Bocanegra took the time to answer a few questions for Soccer365's Andrea Canales.
Carlos, what were your thoughts on being told you’d be starting a World Cup game?
Against Italy, you mean? Yeah, it was pretty exciting. Bruce pulled me aside. He told me in the morning. After that, I just kind of started preparing from then on. Three days before the game, I was trying to get into it, watching the Italy players and starting to get into the right mindset.
To be honest, I thought I would be a lot more nervous, but it was mostly excitement. It was good.
In your career trajectory, where does starting a World Cup game rank?
Obviously, it’s at the top. It doesn’t get any higher than this for me. This was one of my goals, to play in a World Cup, so it’s as high as it gets for me. It was awesome.
Did you feel more prepared because you’ve already faced a high level of play in the English Premier League?
I don’t know. I was speaking to (John) O’Brien about that the other day. I told him, ‘Wow, I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I’d be.’ I’d imagined that the first World Cup game, maybe, maybe not. Maybe I’ve just got something wrong with me and I just didn’t feel it.
It was more exciting than anything. I think it helped that we felt that we had something to prove. So it was storm out there and – alright, it’s my first game of the World Cup. Coming in, we knew we had to battle. I like doing that. I think that’s why.
Were you more nervous when you started club play in England?
To read the complete interview visit Soccer365
