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<DIV class=subheader>Catching Up with Robin Fraser</DIV>By Sahar Milani
Easily one of the best defenders that MLS has ever seen, Robin Fraser ended his MLS season in 2005 as one of only two players to win the MLS Defender of the Year award on two occasions.
Having played for the Galaxy, Crew and Rapids, Fraser was named to the MLS Best XI five times during his 10-year MLS career. The speedy centerback started out with the Galaxy, where he won his first MLS Defender of the Year award, and helped the club reach the 1999 MLS Cup Final. He was later traded to the Rapids, where he played three seasons before being traded again to the Columbus Crew.
In 2004, after many observers had said he was on his last legs, Fraser played one of his best seasons as a professional at the age of 37 and won his second Defender of the Year award for the Supporters' Shield winners.
Although born in Jamaica, Fraser decided to play for the US National Team, and went on to earn 37 caps over a 13-year span from 1988-2001. One of his international highlights was helping Bruce Arena's squad win a bronze medal during the 1999 Confederations Cup in Mexico.
USSoccerPlayers recently caught up with Fraser to talk about his decision so long ago to play for the US, his retirement, and his budding career as a commentator.
USSoccerPlayers: You were born in Jamaica, so why choose to play for the US way back in 1988?
Fraser: When I was 18, I went down to Jamaica to tryout for their youth National Team. I was told that they weren't interested. Two years later I was on the full US National Team. So, I had attempted to play for Jamaica, but apparently wasn't good enough.
USSoccerPlayers: How have you seen MLS change over the past 12 years?
Fraser: MLS has gotten younger and younger. For a league that doesn't want to be seen as a developmental league, they keep ushering experienced players out the door, in favor of younger players. As a result, the League doesn't have as many six-to-seven year pros as it once did, which helped make the decision making on a whole lot better. The average American is probably a better player, but the foreigners are not the difference-makers they used to be.
USSoccerPlayers: What do you think its takes now for a player to "make it" in the League?
Fraser: It depends on what you mean when you say, "make it". To get into the League, you just have to be young with potential. To make it as a long lasting professional, you have to be smart, not just athletic. The thinking player, who can read the game defensively, and make good decisions that keep the possession, are the types of players that remain in the game for a long time.
USSoccerPlayers: Last year was your first season not playing. Was it weird to just watch games?
Fraser: No, it really wasn't weird. I am 40 now, so I have done it for a long time. I knew it had to end someday, so I tried to prepare myself for that day. It was weirder waking up and not having to go to training. When that is what you have done for almost 17 years, that is what you are accustomed to.
USSoccerPlayers: You are coaching youth players now I see. Was the transition from player to coach an easy one for you?
Fraser: The transition has been easy, because I did so much coaching while I was playing. The challenges that I have occurred have not had as much to do with the soccer, as it has dealing with the people that I now have to on a daily basis.
USSoccerPlayers: What kind of advice do you give the kids that you work with?
Fraser: I try to get them to think the game. So many young players go through their whole youth careers getting away with some god-given talents. I know that just because you are fast, have good skill, does not mean that you will be able to play at the next level. If you can think and push yourself out of your comfort zone, then you give yourself a chance.
[B]USSocc
Easily one of the best defenders that MLS has ever seen, Robin Fraser ended his MLS season in 2005 as one of only two players to win the MLS Defender of the Year award on two occasions.
Having played for the Galaxy, Crew and Rapids, Fraser was named to the MLS Best XI five times during his 10-year MLS career. The speedy centerback started out with the Galaxy, where he won his first MLS Defender of the Year award, and helped the club reach the 1999 MLS Cup Final. He was later traded to the Rapids, where he played three seasons before being traded again to the Columbus Crew.
In 2004, after many observers had said he was on his last legs, Fraser played one of his best seasons as a professional at the age of 37 and won his second Defender of the Year award for the Supporters' Shield winners.
Although born in Jamaica, Fraser decided to play for the US National Team, and went on to earn 37 caps over a 13-year span from 1988-2001. One of his international highlights was helping Bruce Arena's squad win a bronze medal during the 1999 Confederations Cup in Mexico.
USSoccerPlayers recently caught up with Fraser to talk about his decision so long ago to play for the US, his retirement, and his budding career as a commentator.
USSoccerPlayers: You were born in Jamaica, so why choose to play for the US way back in 1988?
Fraser: When I was 18, I went down to Jamaica to tryout for their youth National Team. I was told that they weren't interested. Two years later I was on the full US National Team. So, I had attempted to play for Jamaica, but apparently wasn't good enough.
USSoccerPlayers: How have you seen MLS change over the past 12 years?
Fraser: MLS has gotten younger and younger. For a league that doesn't want to be seen as a developmental league, they keep ushering experienced players out the door, in favor of younger players. As a result, the League doesn't have as many six-to-seven year pros as it once did, which helped make the decision making on a whole lot better. The average American is probably a better player, but the foreigners are not the difference-makers they used to be.
USSoccerPlayers: What do you think its takes now for a player to "make it" in the League?
Fraser: It depends on what you mean when you say, "make it". To get into the League, you just have to be young with potential. To make it as a long lasting professional, you have to be smart, not just athletic. The thinking player, who can read the game defensively, and make good decisions that keep the possession, are the types of players that remain in the game for a long time.
USSoccerPlayers: Last year was your first season not playing. Was it weird to just watch games?
Fraser: No, it really wasn't weird. I am 40 now, so I have done it for a long time. I knew it had to end someday, so I tried to prepare myself for that day. It was weirder waking up and not having to go to training. When that is what you have done for almost 17 years, that is what you are accustomed to.
USSoccerPlayers: You are coaching youth players now I see. Was the transition from player to coach an easy one for you?
Fraser: The transition has been easy, because I did so much coaching while I was playing. The challenges that I have occurred have not had as much to do with the soccer, as it has dealing with the people that I now have to on a daily basis.
USSoccerPlayers: What kind of advice do you give the kids that you work with?
Fraser: I try to get them to think the game. So many young players go through their whole youth careers getting away with some god-given talents. I know that just because you are fast, have good skill, does not mean that you will be able to play at the next level. If you can think and push yourself out of your comfort zone, then you give yourself a chance.
[B]USSocc
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
- T.K.
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