Real Salt lake host Chivas USA Saturday afternoon it what will be a homecoming for a couple of people. Chivas USA coach Robin Fraser returns to where he was an assistant coach under RSL boss Jason Kreis. Also making a return to Salt Lake City is Chivas forward Justin Braun who grew up in the Utah capital. Recently, Justin was kind enough to join us and answer a few questions. Here is the transcript of the interview.
Total-MLS (TMLS): What is your personal goal for the 2011 season? And what is the team’s goal this year?
Justin Braun (JB): Personally, I think just to build from last year. I had a good season last year, but I want to keep working. I know I still have a ways to go to reach my full potential. Hopefully I can start scoring some goals and have a better year than I did last year. As far as the team – win MLS cup. We have a good group of guys here and you see that we have been progressing. I think we are starting to gel and our true soccer is starting to come out and we’re getting results.
TMLS: You have played up top most of your career with Chivas, but you played several games this season on the wing. Do you prefer to play as a striker or do you like to play in a variety of positions?
JB: I like to have a variety. I played out wide growing up, almost until I came here I was playing out wide, so I feel comfortable playing both. I’ve had a lot of success playing forward here so that’s probably more my natural position. Everybody keeps asking me this question and I say that as long as I’m on the field I’m happy wherever the coaches need me I am willing to play.
TMLS: Robin Fraser is your third head coach with Chivas. Have the systems differed significantly between coaches? How long does it take to adjust to a new coach?
JB: It has definitely been different. There’s definitely an adjustment period any time a new coach comes in. Every coach has a different philosophy, but I think this team has done well to adjust to what Robin wants. You can see that happening on the field – guys are starting to believe in the system and it’s starting to show with the results we’ve had.
TMLS: Since you have been here for a few seasons, and since there are a number of new players on the squad, do you feel like a veteran? Are you expected to take a leadership role on the team?
JB: I guess you could say that I am a veteran for the team. I wouldn’t consider myself a veteran in the league. I’ve only been playing for three years (in the league). I definitely try to take a little bit of a leadership role when it’s needed, especially with some of the the younger guys in trying to relate to them. I’m a little bit younger and I’ve been around a few years so I can try to help those guys out more.
TMLS: You suffered a concussion in your career that kept you out of the lineup for a significant period of time. Do you believe MLS is moving in the right direction for player safety by implementing a protocol for concussions this season?
JB: Definitley. Concussions are no joke. You hear about them all the time. There’s a lot of guys that it’s ended their career like Taylor Twellman and Aleko Eskandarian are the most recent ones and it’s sad to see that happen. It’s made me think that if they did have the precautions (they have now) where they would be at today. It’s definitely a good thing.
TMLS: You have participated in the annual U.S. National Team Camp. Are you still hoping to get a call-up in the future? Has Bob Bradley been in contact with you lately?
JB: Any US player is hoping to get a call up. It’s always a good experience to go play with some of the best guys. I take it as a learning experience and to grow as a player. As far as talking to Bob, no I haven’t. I have to produce on the field and keep doing what I’m doing and the call ups will continue to come.
TMLS: If you could play for any club in the world, which would it be and why?
JB: I would say Arsenal. That’s kind of the team I have always supported. I like the style of soccer that they play. They are passing oriented and they’re fun to watch. I think it would be cool to play with a team like that.
TMLS: You grew up in Salt Lake City and are playing there against Real Salt Lake this weekend. What is it like going back home to play a match?
JB: It’s an awesome experience to get back there and play in front of the home town crowd. I have a lot of friends and family there and they don’t get a lot of chances to see me play live so anytime I go back there it’s a special occasion for me. Hopefully there will be a good little Chivas crew for us (this weekend).
TMLS: How would you describe the soccer scene in SLC and Utah in general?
JB: I think since Real has been there it’s huge. It’s only one of two professional sports (teams) and having them win the championship brought a lot of awareness to the sport. I think that every time I go back there it seems to be a bigger deal than the previous time. They are doing good things there and the city is supporting it.
TMLS: You played college soccer at Salt Lake Community College before moving into Major League Soccer. Could you please tell the fans a little about how you made the move from community college and amateur club soccer to MLS?
JB: I didn’t really get any options to go and play in college so I stuck around at he community college and played on the club team there. Just having fun. I was playing on the men’s league team at the same time and was really focusing on school more at that point. We had a tournament down here at the Home Depot Center and (former Chivas USA coach) Preki was at one of the games, saw me playing and gave me the opportunity. I definitely wasn’t expecting it to happen but once it did it was a big deal for me. It was a dream for me since I was four years old. I’ve always said that I wanted to do this and I’ve been doing it for the past three years and I’m loving every minute of it.
TMLS: Did RSL ever show any interest in you when you were playing in Salt Lake City?
JB: I’m not sure. I think when (former RSL coach John) Ellinger was there I had some guys that were trying to get me in there. I don’t know if there was any interest, but I know there was some people talking to Ellinger and trying to get me into practice.
We would like to thank Justin for taking the time to interview with us and wish him and Chivas USA the best of luck this season and going forward.
(image courtesy of G. Newman Lowrance/Getty Images)
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
