Reggae Boy Obrien White Chose 4th to MLS Toronto

[Me]

No, the man said in an interview him grow up in America and consider himself American and the reason him would think bout representing Jamaica is because that is where him parents come from and that is his foundation.

Nothing wrong with that. Hopefully the US ignores him and we call him to the team. Especially since we not too deep at the right back position.

[Tilla]

OK. I thought he was also born in Jamaica and therefore would feel himself Jamaican, not just that his parents were from there. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica and therefore has a Jamaican birth certificate.

I think I would prefer if he said he would consider the USA team for its national team's better organization at this time. I would not hold that against him.

[Tilla]

I just read this interview and his position is not as bas as you made it sound. Read this when you get the chance. . .

MLS Combine: Q&A with LYLE ADAMS of Wake Forest

Posted 07 Jan 2009 at 11:32 PM by Breton Bonnette
Updated 07 Jan 2009 at 11:52 PM by Breton Bonnette

Photo Courtesy of Sara Davis, AP

With the Combine rapidly approaching, many will chat about the Marcus Traceys [who might end up going abroad], the Omar Gonzalezs, and the Steve Zakuanis - but Lyle Adams, though worthy, doesn't seem to get the same write-ups. He has undoubtedly been a rock in the Wake Forest back four through thick and thin and a fullback that never seemed to get the full credit he deserved. Well, I'll call it now, Lyle Adams could wind up being the pick of the draft. It is no doubt Coach Jay Vidovich has something amazing going at Wake Forest and three seniors this year are a testament to that. Adams, Sam Cronin, and Michael Lahoud were starters all four years for the Demon Deacons, helping lead WFU to their first ever NCAA BigSoccer Topics title in 2007. Lyle has started every game but 6 in his NCAA career for arguably the best team over that same period - all six came during his freshman year. His combination of pace, natural fitness, and raw strength and his ability to join the attack should serve him well at this weekend's Combine, but the Jamaican-born fullback could also attract some international suitors as well (and not just club teams).

I was able to ask Lyle about what has turned WFU into an NCAA powerhouse, how his prep for the Combine was going, and where he sees himself in the near future.

Wake Forest was – in terms of dominance and consistency throughout the season - the #1 team of the year and it shows with the amount of players invited to the Combine. How disappointing was it to not see out the year with an NCAA championship?

It was obviously disappointing not ending the year with a national championship. Only one team's season really ends the way they want it to. Soccer is a cruel game to be honest, the ball is round and any team can win on any given day, and the best team can be defeated on any given day. However, the entire season was not a complete failure. Our team can take solace in that we changed how college soccer was played and viewed throughout the country. We showed throughout the year that playing the "pretty game" can still be achieved with positive results for the fans and the team itself.

Despite missing out in 2008, WF won their first NCAA championship ever in 2007 beating Ohio State 2-1 in the final – a game you were an integral part of, what makes Wake Forest so good?

It is hard to single out one characteristic that can define our game since we predicate our game on a variety of team and individual goals. I would say the
biggest reasons for our recent success is that everyone on the team is chasing the same goals regardless of position on the team. Coach [Vidovich] commonly refers to a quote by Jose Mourinho saying a team can only be successful when ever member of that team is fully committed to reaching the teams goals and has no individual personal agenda. I feel that is the best way to describe our team. We have
realized the unit is stronger than the individual parts. We might not be the most talented team individually in the country. But collectively we feel we are the best team in the country and our play reflects that.

We play for each other and totally embodied the team concept in which everyone has a role on the team and without everyone's contributions we cannot be successful. Also, our style of play reflects that mentality since our game is based on the pass and movement off the ball. And for that to be successful your
team has to be unselfish and that we are.

How is preparation for the Combine going?

Preparation for the combine has been excellent. I am blessed that I am a Florida
resident so I have been able to train outside daily because of the great "winter" weather. I have been able to work on aspects of my game that I feel will benefit me at the next level.

What are your biggest strengths heading into the Combine?

I'm always striving to get better since i feel like everyone can improve. However, I would say my best strengths going into the combine are my ability to join the attack from my outside back position, my ability to play either right or left back, my one on one defending skills, and my pace.

How does it feel to be able to head down there with an army of teammates?

It's a great feeling to go down there with an army of teammates. It will be great to hopefully play with them one last time before we enter the professional ranks. In addition, it will add a layer of comfort in that I will have a bunch of friends there I can talk to if I need anything.

Have you spoken to any Wake Forest alums now currently in the league about what to expect with the Combine?

I have spoken with a few of my former teammates about the Combine, and they have given me a rundown about the Combine. They say the first day is pretty crazy with check in and practice and just the whole excitement of the experience and that travels over into the first day of games. But after that, things settle down and it's just soccer.

Not to look too far ahead, but born in Jamaica, do you see yourself getting that
call up to the Reggae Boyz anytime soon? Or will you be looking to hopefully
break into the US ranks?

I really haven't thought about that right now. I'm just focusing on playing well at the combine. It would be a difficult decision however, since I was born in Jamaica and its the country of my parents and without them I would be nowhere without them and, on the other hand, I grew up in America and consider myself an American. I will address that decision if the opportunity ever arises. I know it would be a great honor, however, to represent any country at the international level.

You got to spend some time traveling through and playing in Brazil last Spring,
going against Brazil's U-20 team and Santos BigSoccer Topics FC. How was that experience?

It was a wonderful experience both on and off the field. We gained valuable experience on the soccer field especially, even though we didn't get the desired
results, we gained value on the field lessons. We tweaked our game from last
year with things we learned in Brazil and it did wonders for us and that could be seen in our style of play and our results.

As far as club teams go, who do you follow?

My favorite club in the world is Portsmouth FC in England. I have been a Pompey fan since they broke back into the top flight. I also like Real Madrid BigSoccer Topics cause they have Wesley Sneijder BigSoccer Topics who happens to be my favorite player.

Who's the best player in the world at your position – outside back?

I would have to say Gianluca Zambrotta BigSoccer Topics is the best outside back in the world right now. He is more than capable of playing well on either the left or right side (which he did during the last World Cup), is an excellent one versus one defender, and is a constant threat going forward to join the attack.

Being a defender, who is the most dangerous attacker attending the Combine?

I would have to say the most dangerous attacker in the combine, is my teammate
Marcus Tracy. I have played against him for the past four years and he is truly a handful. He has pace, power, and the ability to finish - all qualities defenders don't like.

With the Combine approaching, have you studied up on MLS BigSoccer Topics? Have you seen many
games?

I am an avid soccer fan. So I watch as much soccer as possible. Yes, I have
studied up on the MLS, it doesn't hurt to do a little research on your future employer. Haha.

If you were to play abroad, what league would most suit you and why?

First off, it would be a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to play professional soccer aboard. I would love to play in the Premier League for Pompey. But I feel like my game would best be suited in either England or Germany due to the style of play. And my physical attributes would suit me in those leagues best.

Ideally, where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years time, I would like to see my self as a successful professional soccer player who has the opportunity to represent my country. Which country? That is is currently undecided.

Last but not least, with the five you have going this year - what is in store
for the Demon Deacons? Who should be watching out for in future
Combines?

Despite losing eight seniors, I think the program will be successful next year and in the future. Before my freshman year, the program lost eight seniors and the program survived and flourished. I think the same will happen. We still have a great nucleus of players remaining, all of which have been to at least one NCAA Final Four so I think the squad will be good next year. In addition, we have what I would say is the best coaching staff in the country. Coach Jay [Vidovich], Coach Carson [Porter], and Coach John [Lowery] are all excellent teachers and do a great job of nurturing and developing players over the course of their college careers.

I think that Austin da Luz, Cody Arnoux, Justin Lichtfuss, Zach Schiliawski will be the next group of Wake Forest Seniors invited to the combine. They are all tremendous players who each bring something special to the game. Austin, Zach, and Cody are all dynamic in the attacking third and I feel that they all have a future in professional soccer. Justin on the other hand is a defensive rock, and would be a great addition to any Major League Soccer team.

And in two years, Corben [Bone], Ike [Opara] and Akira [Fitzgerald] will all be great pro players.

Good luck this weekend, Lyle. Thank you for taking the time.

[Me]

Didn't know I made it sound bad.

[Tilla]

Well, you said he sounds like he is more inclined to represent the USA. He did say he grew up in the US and felt himself more American. He said however that he would be honored to represent any country at the international level. He did not rule out playing for Jamaica if he were called.

A smart guy who obviously is keeping his options open.