When Hurricane Irene forced the postponement of D.C. United’s match with the Portland Timbers last weekend, it gave former roommates Chris Pontius and Rodney Wallace a little extra time to hang out – and celebrate each of their international call-ups.
Wallace already knew of his first invitation to join the Costa Rican national team and was duly congratulated by Pontius, with whom he’d shared an apartment during the pair’s first two MLS seasons.
By the end of the weekend, it was Pontius who was getting the congrats himself after being named as an injury replacement to the U.S. team, which of course will face Costa Rica on Friday evening at Home Depot Center (11 p.m. ESPN2, Galavision).
“He was at his hotel and about to come over to my apartment, and I got the call,” said Pontius. “We’re both excited for each other, and it’s a new step for both of us.”
Here’s a little bit more from Pontius and fellow current D.C. teammate Bill Hamid, who both spoke with The Examiner on Thursday:
Talk about the impression you’ve gotten from new head coach Jürgen Klinsmann.
Pontius: “It’s not terribly different [than Pontius’ first camp, under Bob Bradley]. I think Klinsmann’s a very upbeat guy. I think you can see that, and he has a different style than Bob Bradley, but I didn’t get to spend that much time with Bradley. For me, I’m just getting my feet wet here. It’s been good. I’ve enjoyed both times with the national team. Both times it has been a challenge, and it’s pushed me as a player, and that’s what I want. I think that’s what any player wants.”
Hamid: “I’ve gotten more of a sense of what he wants from me as a goalkeeper, how he wants us to play, what he wants us to be doing when we get the ball, organizing, different stuff, how quick he wants us to release the ball, having another chance to train under him has given me knowledge of what he wants from us goalkeepers.”
What has Klinsmann expressed as the goal for this camp and the next two matches?
Pontius: “He’s getting used to the players, and the players are getting used to each other because there are a few names that are new. A lot of it has been feeling each other out, but the goal of the game is to win the games.”
Hamid: “He wants winners. We want to play soccer, and we want to be direct and play how Americans want us to play. We want to impress the fans and have country behind us, and we want to do well. We want to leave our hearts on the field.”
What’s been your impression of German-bred players Fabian Johnson and Timothy Chandler?
Pontius: “They’re quiet. It’s kind of like with any new players, you feel out your situation, and that’s how I think a couple of the players are doing it, including myself.”
Hamid: “Fabian and Tim are good, good on the ball, like to take defenders on, like to finish, and that’s only going to help. They’re good athletes, in shape, and you can tell they have some feistiness when they have the ball at their feet, and we can really use that in American soccer. We welcome them with open arms, and I’m sure they’re going be great additions going down the road.”
