First a little background from Wikipedia
Christopher John "Chris" Albright (born January 14, 1979 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American soccer defender for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.
Albright attended William Penn Charter School. A forward early in his career, Albright played college soccer at the University of Virginia but chose to leave it after just two seasons; he was named an All-American in 1999. Considered one of the best attacking prospects in the country, he leveraged foreign interest into getting assigned to D.C. United, despite the club being low on MLS's pecking order for Project-40 players. The league forced a trade with the Miami Fusion for future considerations, which turned out to be Roy Lassiter, but not until both Albright and Lassiter helped DC to the 1999 MLS Cup.
But Albright's club career did not live up to the lofty expectations. He struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just four goals total in his first three years in the league. DC dealt Chris to the Galaxy for a draft pick prior to the 2002 season. Albright drifted further onto the midfield, and then found himself in the back as the Galaxy's starting right defender for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. His totals after eight seasons in MLS league play stand at nine goals and 14 assists.
Albright's first attempt at playing defense came with United States coach Bruce Arena, who also coached Albright with UVA and DC United, who gave Chris his first cap on September 8, 1999 against Jamaica. Albright scored his lone U.S. goal that day and has accumulated 18 caps as of early 2006.
Albright was listed as an alternate for Bruce Arena's 23-man squad for the U.S. National Team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and made the final squad two days after the initial roster announcement due to the injury of Frankie Hejduk. Albright did not appear in a match in the tournament.
The Interview...
Chris realizes there is a camera and that we aren't going to commit the interview to memory
1. What are the main differences in pre-season preparations that you can see between Coach Yallop's first full season in charge and previous coaching tenures? (Section18Hooligan)
I think Frank understands that it’s a long season so he did a good job of having a good balance in preseason to where by the time we hit the beginning of the season you don’t feel like you’re halfway through the season, which with coaches before it could often seem that way. At the same time, I think we’re pretty prepared and have played well but just haven’t gotten results.
2. Having played for Galaxy for x years, could you ever wear a Chivas, DC or San Ho jersey? (Caasi Gold)
{Laughs} I have worn a D.C. jersey! Not by choice, but a lot of those things are out of my control I guess.
3. What have you learned from the incomparable and reigning LARS Player of the Year Cobi Jones during your time with the Galaxy about being a professional footballer and how will his retirement impact the squad in the future? (LFC1892)
Cobi just keeps kind of an even keel at all times. He’s a good leader, a good professional whether, at this point of his career, if he’s starting or coming of the bench for us in different games. I think he’s just a good professional. He comes in and does his job. He tries to help the younger guys out. He goes home at the end of the day knowing that he put in a good day and I think that a lot of us have taken that home.
Other guys are going to have to step up, I think. Cobi’s obviously been a mainstay here for a lot of years and we’re going to miss him. Guys like Landon and myself, Joe’s obviously been around a long time, we are going to have help to step up and lead the team if we are going to continue to be successful.
4. If you could have any other player in the MLS on your team who would it be? Why? (Andric)
That’s a good question. Christian Gomez, I think, has really shown himself to be quite a talent and having played with him in the All-Star game I know that he is a real good guy; a family man that comes in and does his job and is obviously a spectacular player. He could really help us in the center of the park.
5. What's the thinking about Super Liga among the players? Is this something you guys desperately want to win, just another chance for some games against quality competition or a bit of a distraction from the main goal of winning the MLS Cup? (Gooner)
No, I think where other tournaments may be a distraction; I think Super Liga is something that maybe we can look at as our type of Champions League or UEFA Cup. And obviously the rivalry between us and Mexico, I don’t really have to speak to. It’s an opportunity to test ourselves against the best teams in Mexico and prove that MLS has come a long way. I think Houston and D.C. did a pretty good job of that with just disappointing results, and we can kind of take that further. So, no, we are really looking forward to it and want to win it.
6. What's the best practical joke you've seen played on a teammate in your time at the Galaxy? (Gooner)
The best practical joke?. I don’t know. Nothing sticks out. People always ask “what’s your most memorable soccer moment.†I’ll have to get back to you.
Kyle Martino is obviously jealous
7. Name a MLS player that you think practices their diving during their training sessions. (LA Red)
Ha ha ha. That’s pretty good. I won’t go with the obvious one. He’s my good buddy. Probably a couple of the Chivas ones.
8. What soccer websites do you read? (jamesey)
None.
9. What were your thoughts on the MLS playing regular season games while the world cup was in session? Did the players association raise any opposition to this? (dhines)
I think it’s something that the guys in MLS would tell you obviously isn’t ideal. And I think going forward we need to recognize the World Cup like everyone else does. It’s almost like a bit of a slap in the face to the World Cup, but I think it’s just the financial infrastructure we have set up doesn’t allow us to put the season on hold. That sounds like an answer from like Sunil.
10. If you were not playing with the Galaxy, with what other club would you want to play with? (cesar)
Uh, I don’t really know. Do you want me to answer that? I’m sorry it’s not MLS. I think I fit best in England somewhere. I’ll say Man United. How about that?
Chalky: You could say Tottenham
{Laughs} I’ll say Tottenham then.
11. If you weren't playing in the MLS, what else would you be doing?
(L.A. Brigade)
What else would I be doing? That’s a good question. A lot of us have playing soccer since we can remember. I don’t know, man. Hopefully pursuing some sort successful business career and blending in the real world and hopefully standing out in the real world and being successful. There’s nothing really specific right now.
Chalky: When you were in college did you even think that this league would progress to this level that you could make a full career out of it?
I don’t know. I was in college for 3 semesters. It was a short time. But before that, No. The aspirations a lot of us had as young kids was playing overseas and that kind of seems like a far off dream for a lot of people. So this leagues success has surprised a lot of us and obviously given us a great opportunity. We’re lucky guys, man. All of us will tell you that.
12. Who is the fastest player in MLS or player you've shared the field with? (Facer33)
We were just talking about this. You know there are different fasts. Over 10 yards Robbie Findley is making a name for himself. Over 20-30, Eddie Johnson’s there. Ugo over 50-60. These guys are saying Jacob Thomas from Columbus. You know, there are probably ten guys that on any given day can be the fastest guy in MLS. I’d like to think I’m somewhere in the mix but it’s probably over 60 to 70 yards.
Landon too? Did I mention Landon? He’s so fast with the ball. He’s more soccer fast than a lot of us.
13. Besides the HDC, where is your favorite place to play in this league? Why? (El Dude)
I like playing at RFK when the bottom bowl is filled. It’s a good atmosphere because, even though I love all the new stadiums and obviously this is the best place to play in the league, there’s a classic feel to RFK. They have good fans. Even though they hate me, they’re good fans. It’s an admirable quality. The seats get bouncing and it’s a good place to play. It gets loud.
14. How does the 4-3-3 system change your role on the team? (Catamount)
We call it a 4-3-3. A lot of the times it looks like a 4-4-2. I don’t think it changes my role. I’ve obviously been playing a little bit of midfield and I think that will probably change and I’ll be back in the back with guys getting healthy again. So it was kind of a need based thing and I think you’ll see me getting back to being comfortable in right back and the team being better because guys are back in really their best positions.
Four Four Two Style:
Nickname:
Marco Etcheverry used to call me “Cabazon†because I have a big head.
Team supported as a kid (Soccer and another sport):
Any Philly sports team (Sixers, Flyers, Phillies, Eagles)
Strengths:
Athleticism
Weakness:
That’s a tough one to come up with. {Laughs} I’m kidding. Finishing. I was a forward and now I’m a back.
Chris Albright contemplates weaknesses
You Play like…
I don’t want to get into comparing myself to anybody. Chirs Albright.
Career highlight:
In MLS it would have to be beating New England in Dallas just because I think I was a bigger part of that than the previous two championships I won. So winning the MLS Cup. And we won the Double under Mr. Sampson.
Lowlight:
Gunner says “Sampson†to which Chris responds, “No come on, man. Steve if you’re out there I love ya man.â€
Gunner then suggests this interview and Chris agrees, “There you go. You two knuckleheads.â€
Chalky mentions he would have said giving up that lead in San Jose. Chris responds, “I was only on the field for like eight minutes.â€
Best player played with:
I’d have to say Etcheverry. I know that being a Galaxy guy now, Cienfuegos, but I think I missed Cien’s best days. So maybe I could say that if I’d been here earlier, but Marco Etcheverry did things I’ve never seen before.
Toughest opponent:
Justin Mapp. He’s got a really quick first step. I think a lot of the guys in the league will tell you he’s a bitch to play against.
Biggest influence:
My parents and my uncle who’s the head coach at Villanova. He’s kind of been my mentor throughout my career. My coach when I was a young kid taught me a lot. Sigi Schmidt as well, he pushed me to be a better player.
Latest Netflix?
{He saw a great movie recently with his wife that he can’t remember. Gunner suggests it was Dude, Where’s my Car?} A Lot of Sopranos and Entourage. Sopranos is the best show ever.
Latest iPod download:
I downloaded the other day High Tide or Low Tide by Bob Marley. It’s a great song. It’s one of his earlier ones.
If you weren’t a pro soccer player you’d be…
On the beach somewhere
If five years time you’ll be?
On the beach somewhere, hopefully.
Most embarrassing moment:
This is the one that goes along with practical jokes. Nothing stands out.
Describe yourself in 5 words:
This can’t be good. This can’t be good. {Counts on fingers} This...Can’t…Be…Good…uh…Chocolate
