This week Soccer Banter spoke with Ian Christianson of Georgetown University, who has helped the Hoyas to a #24 NSCAA National ranking from his midfield position. In 2010 he was named Big East Midfielder of the Year and this past summer played for the Chicago Fire PDL team.
Soccer Banter: The team is currently 9-3-3 and on pace to match if not do better than last year's team that won 12 games and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. What do you attribute the team's current form?
Ian Christianson: We are a very capable group of soccer minded players. I think as a whole we go into every game with confidence that we can win. The mentality this season is the best it’s been since I have been here.
SB: What team and individual goals did you have prior to the start of the season?
IC: The initial goal for the team was to defend our title as Big East Blue Division Champions and we are still in the mix for that with three tough games left. The next goal was to make the Sweet 16 at a minimum and to go to the Final Four, whether that’s realistic or not, it’s a goal. For me personally, was just continue to play well, to showcase myself for scouts and help the team win as winning brings more recognition.
SB: For those that haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
IC: I am a traditional 2-way midfielder and I believe I am technically sound. I like to get on the ball as much as possible and passing is one of my strengths. I think I need to work on becoming a better finisher.
SB: How has Georgetown and College Soccer in general helped develop you further as a player?
IC: Since I came here as freshman, Georgetown has offered me a lot of responsibility as a player. Being a young team, I have gained more responsibility this year along with the other juniors. The coaching staff makes a point of doing the little things right, something that all professional players do as well. Their focus on this has helped me become a more well-rounded player.
Soccer Banter: The team is currently 9-3-3 and on pace to match if not do better than last year's team that won 12 games and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament. What do you attribute the team's current form?
Ian Christianson: We are a very capable group of soccer minded players. I think as a whole we go into every game with confidence that we can win. The mentality this season is the best it’s been since I have been here.
SB: What team and individual goals did you have prior to the start of the season?
IC: The initial goal for the team was to defend our title as Big East Blue Division Champions and we are still in the mix for that with three tough games left. The next goal was to make the Sweet 16 at a minimum and to go to the Final Four, whether that’s realistic or not, it’s a goal. For me personally, was just continue to play well, to showcase myself for scouts and help the team win as winning brings more recognition.
SB: For those that haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
IC: I am a traditional 2-way midfielder and I believe I am technically sound. I like to get on the ball as much as possible and passing is one of my strengths. I think I need to work on becoming a better finisher.
SB: How has Georgetown and College Soccer in general helped develop you further as a player?
IC: Since I came here as freshman, Georgetown has offered me a lot of responsibility as a player. Being a young team, I have gained more responsibility this year along with the other juniors. The coaching staff makes a point of doing the little things right, something that all professional players do as well. Their focus on this has helped me become a more well-rounded player.
SB: How has your experience playing PDL been so far?
IC: I play for the Chicago Fire PDL team and before that I played for the Fire Academy team for 2 years. The Fire First Team staff is involved with the training sessions so it’s been a great opportunity to work with MLS coaches. The Fire staff has put together a good group of top college players and the games are always competitive featuring other college players or retired professionals. Playing in this setting has been great for my learning curve as a player and has helped me grow as a player.
SB: Do you watch MLS? If so do you have a favorite team? Do you have a favorite player? If not MLS, do you watch another league?
IC: Yes, I do watch MLS and the league has taken great strides over the years. My favorite team is the Chicago Fire and as a kid my favorite player was DeMarcus Beasley. Back then he played for the Fire and was left-footed so thought he was similar to me. Not sure if I’m allowed to say who my favorite player is now, because he is everyone elses at the moment too, but Brek Shea. I also try to watch the English Premier League and La Liga. I like Barcelona and Liverpool, but if it’s a good game I will watch no matter who is playing.
SB: When it comes to soccer, where would you like to see yourself in three years?
IC: I’d like to be signed with an MLS team, it would be cool to play for the Fire, but if not just in MLS. If MLS doesn’t work out, I would try to go to a Scandinavian country and hopefully play well and work my way up to a bigger league in Europe.
SB: What has been your most memorable moment in the game of soccer so far, either as a fan or a player?
IC: This past summer with Chicago Fire PDL we played against Sporting KC at their new stadium, Livestrong Park. Playing in a sweet stadium against most of their first team was a great experience and something I’ll always remember. At Georgetown, defeating UCONN last year to clinch the Big East Blue Division title was special as well.
SB: Tonight, you get to play the #1 team in the country, UCONN and though they lost earlier this week, are still many people’s favorites to be national champions, what are your thoughts on UCONN and the game itself?
IC: UCONN is a very good team with only one loss on the season against another good team in West Virginia. Their players are going to come in with a chip on their shoulder after losing earlier this week and after losing to us last year. I expect them to come flying out right from the start. The game is sold out with about 5,000 people going to be at it. It should be a fun game, we will be ready mentally to compete and I’m very excited to play them.
IC: I play for the Chicago Fire PDL team and before that I played for the Fire Academy team for 2 years. The Fire First Team staff is involved with the training sessions so it’s been a great opportunity to work with MLS coaches. The Fire staff has put together a good group of top college players and the games are always competitive featuring other college players or retired professionals. Playing in this setting has been great for my learning curve as a player and has helped me grow as a player.
SB: Do you watch MLS? If so do you have a favorite team? Do you have a favorite player? If not MLS, do you watch another league?
IC: Yes, I do watch MLS and the league has taken great strides over the years. My favorite team is the Chicago Fire and as a kid my favorite player was DeMarcus Beasley. Back then he played for the Fire and was left-footed so thought he was similar to me. Not sure if I’m allowed to say who my favorite player is now, because he is everyone elses at the moment too, but Brek Shea. I also try to watch the English Premier League and La Liga. I like Barcelona and Liverpool, but if it’s a good game I will watch no matter who is playing.
SB: When it comes to soccer, where would you like to see yourself in three years?
IC: I’d like to be signed with an MLS team, it would be cool to play for the Fire, but if not just in MLS. If MLS doesn’t work out, I would try to go to a Scandinavian country and hopefully play well and work my way up to a bigger league in Europe.
SB: What has been your most memorable moment in the game of soccer so far, either as a fan or a player?
IC: This past summer with Chicago Fire PDL we played against Sporting KC at their new stadium, Livestrong Park. Playing in a sweet stadium against most of their first team was a great experience and something I’ll always remember. At Georgetown, defeating UCONN last year to clinch the Big East Blue Division title was special as well.
SB: Tonight, you get to play the #1 team in the country, UCONN and though they lost earlier this week, are still many people’s favorites to be national champions, what are your thoughts on UCONN and the game itself?
IC: UCONN is a very good team with only one loss on the season against another good team in West Virginia. Their players are going to come in with a chip on their shoulder after losing earlier this week and after losing to us last year. I expect them to come flying out right from the start. The game is sold out with about 5,000 people going to be at it. It should be a fun game, we will be ready mentally to compete and I’m very excited to play them.
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