Hello Fans,

Well it is hard to believe that we are just a few days away from opening day.  I know the team is starting to get antsy, especially some of the rookies who will be crucial to our team’s success.  Watching the games last weekend, there were definitely some results that I know a lot of people did not expect.  Although, we all need to remember that it is just one game into a long season and there are about 30 more left.  

Most of you are probably aware of our exhibition game we had this past Friday in North Carolina against the Railhawks of USL-1.  Our team was definitely not at full strength, as we were missing Juan Pablo and Stam.  Both players will be valuable pieces of the puzzle for our team.  Their absence allowed Sinisa to get a full 90 mins at defensive mid, and Jozy to get his first minutes with the team this year.  Both guys looked good, and definitely will give coach some tough decisions to make.  I know that makes coach happy though because from day one of preseason he has preached competition at each and every position.  

As most of you know, I am currently injured at the moment.  I was unfortunately on the wrong end of a tackle in our last game against Honduras during Olympic qualifying.  The original diagnosis was 4-6 weeks, but I will see the team doctors this weekend at the game and they will re-evaluate me and we will go from there.  I am chomping at the bit to get back on the field and contribute.  However, the last thing you want to do is rush back too early.  One thing fans do not always understand is the difference between being healthy again, and being ready to play in a game.  Trust me, there is quite a difference!  Being back healthy usually means that you are done with the rehab part of your comeback, but now the real work begins.  Getting back on the field and getting your touch and quickness back, as well as building up your game fitness.  You can run all you want around a track, but I guarantee the first day you are back playing you will be sucking wind!  

One thing that I forgot to mention in last weeks blog that I have received a lot of comments and questions about was the infamous streaker during Olympic qualifying.  For those of you who do not know, during one of our games in Tampa Bay we had the pleasure of our game being interrupted by a “rookie streaker.”  I say rookie because she kept some of her clothes on.  Needless to say, I think she still had a little bit of stage fright.  I was fortunate enough for one of the photographers at the game to catch this picture of her and I.

As you can imagine I have received plenty of emails and text with comments about it.  It is a great reminder of a funny moment in my career to say the least!

Some of you have submitted some questions for me, so I will post the questions below as well as my response:

1. Hello Hunter, I am a big RBNY fan, I was wondering how your injury  

rehab is coming along? are you happy with how it going? looking  

forward to seeing you back on the field!- John D

John D,

The injury and rehab are coming along well.  It has only been about a week and a half since the injury, but so far so good.  I will see the docs again this weekend and we will take it from there.  Check in next week for a possible update!

2. Hey Hunter, of the new young players coming into the team this  

year, are there one or two you see having a potentially breakout or  

eye opening year? Keep up the great work! -Jessica F

Jessica F,

I would have to say that Danleigh and Luke definitely are the front-runners out of the rookies to have the greatest success.  They are going to be thrust into the spotlight from the get go.  So we will see right away what they are made of.  Obviously both have shown well in preseason, but we will see if they can continue it day in and day out through a long season.  

3. Hiya Hunter, if you could pick one player, past or present to play  

a single game with who would it be? Forza Red Bulls!- Anthony J

Anthony J,

I would have to go with Paolo Maldini.  As a defender, I think he is one of the best who has ever played.  His track record speaks for itself.  In my opinion he is one of the smartest and classiest players on the pitch.

4. Hello Hunter, do you support any club teams abroad? Or enjoy  

watching any in particular? -Steven B

Steven B,

I definitely enjoy watching European soccer.  I would have to say Manchester United is my favorite team.  Growing up, I used to always watch their games on TV. 

5. Hi Hunter, what’s in your ipod at the moment? Melanie E

Melanie E, 

I know its cliché, but I have a little bit of everything on my IPod.  However, being from Texas I would have to say that Country probably dominates my IPod. Artist include: The Killers, Kanye West, Dierks Bentley, George Strait, Timberland, Tom Petty, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and Jack Johnson.  So as you can see, pretty diverse.  

I hope to see you all out at Giants Stadium on Saturday!  I am ready for the season to begin and hope that we can get started on the right foot with a win.  You, the fans, really do give us an advantage at home.  I know sometimes you may feel we do not appreciate you, but trust me we do and know that you are an important part of our success!  

-Hunter

Have questions, comments, or any other feedback for Hunter? email them to hunter@americansoccerreader.com.