The office made the man: the national team's World Cup newbie learned and matured on the job, and now he's ready to lead the Colorado Rapids to MLS glory - Pablo Mastroeni, Major League Soccer - Interview

Soccer Digest, June-July, 2003 by Ashley Jude Collie

BY THE END OF 2001, PABLO Mastroeni was a solid MLS defender but he had yet to leave a dramatic mark on U.S. soccer. He'd been named the Miami Fusion's Defensive Player of the Year for three straight seasons, playing as a right back, defensive midfielder, and center back over that time. Due to MLS contraction, he was heading to a new pro team, the Colorado Rapids. On the international scene, after recently becoming a US citizen, he hadn't played in any World Cup qualifiers and figured the only way he'd get to Japan/Korea 2002 was on his own dime.

He was brought into Bruce Arena's squad in late 2001. Feeling no pressure, he played consistently well in the run-up to the World Cup, made the final squad, and was a revelation.

A year later, Mastroeni, 26, is a mainstay in Arena's squad--and in his first 18 international appearances, the U.S. has won 14 games with 13 shutouts. At the club level, Mastroeni is leading the Rapids midfield. His speed, tough tackling, ability to read the game, and sheer competitiveness make him a rare and invaluable commodity.

Life has turned so quickly for Pablo that he doesn't even want to think about his good fortune, but his commitment to constantly improving his game guarantees his best is yet to come.

SOCCER DIGEST caught up with Argentinian-born Mastroeni to reflect on his amazing run and what he learned from the cauldron of the World Cup, and discuss what he sees in his future:

SOCCER DIGEST: You've had quite a ride from MLS starter to being the only player on the World Cup team not to play in qualifying.

PABLO MASTROENI: [Laughs] It has been mind-boggling. To be honest, I haven't reflected upon it bemuse everything just continues to get better. If I sit down and think about what's happened over the past 18 or so months, it would be overwhelming.

SD: You have a lot more responsibility now. Has that changed your game?

PM: Not really. I think the key to my game throughout my pro career has been to just work hard and come to practice every day with the notion that I can learn. I've continued doing that. Every time I come to the national team, I'm trying to earn a spot in the starting XI. I don't think I'm at a point where I can relax. Actually, I don't think you can relax because there are always younger players trying to break into the squad.

My comfort on the ball and ability to make decisions has improved. I'm more at ease with the higher pace of the international game, but my approach is the same.

SD: What was your dad's influence on you as a kid? Did you always want to be a soccer player?

PM: He didn't play pro or semipro soccer in Argentina, but he was a big fan of the local team in Mendoza and his family would go to their game every Sunday. I have a lot of photos of me as a little kid in Argentina playing in the park and street with my cousins, so it's been a part of my life as early as two years old. We moved to Phoenix when I was four, and I was instantly playing in recreational and AYSO league soccer.

I remember watching the 1986 World Cup from Mexico when Argentina made a great run with Diego Maradona to win it all, and basically from that point on I was determined to play pro soccer.

SD: You played for the U.S. in a friendly against Argentina earlier this year--was that a big deal for you and your family?

PM: My parents, my grandparents, and extended family grew up in Argentina, but I've always felt like an American. My father's country gave him his values and outlook, but I grew up in America and my dream was to play for the U.S. We were playing one of the top-ranked team in the world, so in that regard it was an important game, but there wasn't any more significance to it for me.

SD: So when MLS launched, that must have provided you a great opportunity.

PM: Absolutely. Going overseas straight out of college would have been difficult because the game is so much more advanced over there and college soccer is not necessarily a springboard to European leagues. MLS gave me an opportunity to live in this country, so I could really focus on soccer and not have to worry about learning a new culture and language.

SD: You didn't play in any of the World Cup qualifying games and only had two caps prior to 2002. How were you able to make it to the World Cup?

PM: It's kind of ironic how it all worked out. My second cap was against South Korea at the end of 2001. It was MLS's offseason. I ran out of gas in the 50th minute and I was taken out of the game. On the way home, Bruce gave every player a letter telling him what he thought of his performance. His comment to me was that to play at the international level, I had to realize that there was no offseason and that I needed to work on staying fit and really focus on becoming a professional. He wasn't going to call me into the 2002 Gold Cup camp, but about five days before it commenced, I was brought in as a replacement for Gregg Berhalter, who was injured. It came down to pure chance.

SD: So going into 2002, you weren't thinking you were even being considered for the World Cup?