With Torsten Frings being sidelined for four to six weeks, Toronto FC will be looking for a center-back to fill the void left by the German International. Soccer Banter spoke with rookie Aaron Maund about his transition to professional soccer, defeating the Los Angeles Galaxy, and the upcoming fixture list. Maund, a center-back originally from Dorchester, Massachusetts, played four years at the University of Notre Dame and was selected with the 12th pick in the 2012 MLS Draft. Maund has represented both Trinidad & Tobago and the United States as a youth international. Follow Maund on twitter: @Imamaundsta
Soccer Banter: You were thrown into the fire quickly, coming on as a late game substitute in both CCL games vs LA Galaxy. Share your thoughts on playing in those games, advancing in CCL, and lastly making your professional debut on same field as Torsten Frings, David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Robbie Keane?
Aaron Maund: Though it was only for a few minutes, it was good to get into the first leg as it got first game jitters out of my system. In both CCL games, I came on to help on the defensive side of the ball and I felt I came on and kept up with the pace. Prior to the game it’s a cool feeling knowing I could be on the field against players I grew up watching on television, but once on the field they are just another player. Being on the field with those players tells me I am headed in the right direction with my own development.
Soccer Banter: You were thrown into the fire quickly, coming on as a late game substitute in both CCL games vs LA Galaxy. Share your thoughts on playing in those games, advancing in CCL, and lastly making your professional debut on same field as Torsten Frings, David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Robbie Keane?
Aaron Maund: Though it was only for a few minutes, it was good to get into the first leg as it got first game jitters out of my system. In both CCL games, I came on to help on the defensive side of the ball and I felt I came on and kept up with the pace. Prior to the game it’s a cool feeling knowing I could be on the field against players I grew up watching on television, but once on the field they are just another player. Being on the field with those players tells me I am headed in the right direction with my own development.
SB: First MLS game of your career, you replaced Frings after 24 minutes, though you lost the match, what were your thoughts on your own performance and playing in front of 38,000+ fans?
AM: It’s tough to say you play well when the team loses, but I felt I held my own on the pitch. As a center-back, it’s not a good feeling giving up three goals and we need to do a better job of tightening up the defense. I think losing to Seattle, which had great support from their fans, was a good reality check for us after our success against LA Galaxy. I think the Seattle match has helped us grow and will serve us well this weekend against San Jose.
SB: Torsten Frings will be sidelined for four to six weeks, how has he helped during your first few months as professional player?
AM: He’s a veteran, try to take as many cues off of those players, whether they are verbal or non-verbal, as possible. We have plenty of those players in our locker room and I am trying to soak up as much information as I can from them.
SB: This weekend you host San Jose, your first match at BMO field, and then next Wednesday you play Santos Laguna. What are your thoughts on each game? With the win over the Galaxy, how has the importance of the CCL games shifted within the team’s goals for this season?
AM: We are taking the season one game at a time and the most important game for us right now is San Jose on Saturday. We want to get a win in our home opener and break even in MLS. Once the San Jose game is over, we will start looking at Santos Laguna, which will be a much different team than we play in MLS. The main focus is on the MLS season, it’s a bonus to be playing in the CCL, but whatever game is next on the schedule is the most important. On Saturday, San Jose will be the most important game of the year, and then on Wednesday Santos Laguna will be.
AM: It’s tough to say you play well when the team loses, but I felt I held my own on the pitch. As a center-back, it’s not a good feeling giving up three goals and we need to do a better job of tightening up the defense. I think losing to Seattle, which had great support from their fans, was a good reality check for us after our success against LA Galaxy. I think the Seattle match has helped us grow and will serve us well this weekend against San Jose.
SB: Torsten Frings will be sidelined for four to six weeks, how has he helped during your first few months as professional player?
AM: He’s a veteran, try to take as many cues off of those players, whether they are verbal or non-verbal, as possible. We have plenty of those players in our locker room and I am trying to soak up as much information as I can from them.
SB: This weekend you host San Jose, your first match at BMO field, and then next Wednesday you play Santos Laguna. What are your thoughts on each game? With the win over the Galaxy, how has the importance of the CCL games shifted within the team’s goals for this season?
AM: We are taking the season one game at a time and the most important game for us right now is San Jose on Saturday. We want to get a win in our home opener and break even in MLS. Once the San Jose game is over, we will start looking at Santos Laguna, which will be a much different team than we play in MLS. The main focus is on the MLS season, it’s a bonus to be playing in the CCL, but whatever game is next on the schedule is the most important. On Saturday, San Jose will be the most important game of the year, and then on Wednesday Santos Laguna will be.
SB: Looking back at preseason, what has been the biggest adjustment from college soccer with Notre Dame to professional soccer?
AM: On the field, speed of play was the biggest adjustment for me. There are other adjustments that have been a challenge that people might not think about. It’s hard coming into a new team, understanding their style of play and also having to learn your teammates tendencies on the field.
SB: As you developed your love for the game, who was the biggest influence to help you get to the level you’re at now?
AM: I had numerous players that I wanted to model my game after and also coaches that helped me, but I would have to say my dad. My dad was an athlete and he has been there for me the whole way, always pointing me in the right direction.
SB: Many players are now leaving college early or bypassing to play professionally at a young age, how did college soccer help in your own development as a player?
AM: I had a very good coach at Notre Dame in Bobby Clark who helped me develop as a player and a person. I don’t believe without Notre Dame I would have been ready to make this transition to being a professional player. When I graduated Roxbury Latin, I needed time to develop as a player and a person too, and Bobby Clark helped with that. While playing at Notre Dame the coaching staff helped with my tactical and technical development, but also in helping me grow as a man.
SB: Life off the field: what are your interests outside of soccer? What is life like for a professional athlete? Favorite sport other than soccer? Who is your favorite team? Favorite athlete?
AM: After a month in Orlando for preseason, then time in Los Angeles and Seattle, I am finally settling into life in Toronto. In my short time as a professional, I have already experience a bunch of highs and lows. We spend a lot of time on our own, but also meet a lot of great people. I am a big Boston sports fan, so I watch the Celtics and Bruins now, and excited for Red Sox season starting soon. Besides Toronto FC, my favorite team is Chelsea and my favorite player is Gerard Pique.
AM: On the field, speed of play was the biggest adjustment for me. There are other adjustments that have been a challenge that people might not think about. It’s hard coming into a new team, understanding their style of play and also having to learn your teammates tendencies on the field.
SB: As you developed your love for the game, who was the biggest influence to help you get to the level you’re at now?
AM: I had numerous players that I wanted to model my game after and also coaches that helped me, but I would have to say my dad. My dad was an athlete and he has been there for me the whole way, always pointing me in the right direction.
SB: Many players are now leaving college early or bypassing to play professionally at a young age, how did college soccer help in your own development as a player?
AM: I had a very good coach at Notre Dame in Bobby Clark who helped me develop as a player and a person. I don’t believe without Notre Dame I would have been ready to make this transition to being a professional player. When I graduated Roxbury Latin, I needed time to develop as a player and a person too, and Bobby Clark helped with that. While playing at Notre Dame the coaching staff helped with my tactical and technical development, but also in helping me grow as a man.
SB: Life off the field: what are your interests outside of soccer? What is life like for a professional athlete? Favorite sport other than soccer? Who is your favorite team? Favorite athlete?
AM: After a month in Orlando for preseason, then time in Los Angeles and Seattle, I am finally settling into life in Toronto. In my short time as a professional, I have already experience a bunch of highs and lows. We spend a lot of time on our own, but also meet a lot of great people. I am a big Boston sports fan, so I watch the Celtics and Bruins now, and excited for Red Sox season starting soon. Besides Toronto FC, my favorite team is Chelsea and my favorite player is Gerard Pique.
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