Interview with UC Santa Barbara goalscorer Chris Pontius
Every Friday we will do our best to provide you with an exclusive player interview. This week we had the pleasure of interviewing UC Santa Barbara top goalscorer Chris Pontius.
Going in to this weeks match against Cal State Fullerton Chris Pontius currently has 11 goals and 3 assists in 14 games for the Gauchos. Last season Pontius also netted 11 goals which was enough to be named the Big West Offensive player of the year. Most recently, he was just named the Big West Offensive player of the week and the Soccer America player of the week after scoring 3 goals, the most important being an overtime goal in a 1-0 televised victory over Cal Poly.
We would like to thank Chris for taking the time to answer some questions for us and we look forward to seeing him finish the season strong with the Gauchos. We are sure we will see him playing somewhere in Major League Soccer in the near future.
Can you describe to us what you consider to be the best/most memorable goal of your career?
My most memorable goal would probably have to be the one I scored against Cal Poly recently in overtime to win the game. Scoring in front of that many people and being able to celebrate with my teammates after made that a really special moment in my career.
Who would you say is the best player you have played against this season?
Who would you say is the best player you have played against this season?
I would say the Wake Forest team as a whole. They were truly a complete team and have everything needed to win a National Championship. If someone beats them this year, I will be very surprised.
Do you get to watch many MLS matches? Who are some of your favourite MLS players to watch?
I have been watching a lot of the MLS games this year and especially the ones that my friends play in. They are my favorite players to watch also because I like to see them succeed at the next level and it is interesting to see how their game has progressed.
If you had to pick any player that your game resembles, who would it be?
There is no particular player that I feel like a necessarily resemble. However, I do enjoy watching the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres play and I try and take tips from their styles of play. I like Cristiano Ronaldo because he attacks so well and the combination of his pace and skill makes him one of the best players in the world. Torres amazes me with his ability to finish and he has truly perfected the art of it.
If you could pick one MLS team to play for, who would it be and why?
There is not one MLS team that I would like to play for over another. The possibility alone, to fulfill a childhood dream, is the most exciting part for me. I am eager to become a part of this league and welcome the challenges and opportunities I hope to find.
As a player what do you think your biggest strength it?
I would have to say my biggest strength is my ability to read the game. I have not always been 6'1 and was one of the smaller players during the beginning of my career. I had to rely on other aspects of my game during this time and did not have the speed or power to hang with the other players. Therefore, I had to be smart with my decisions on and off the ball. I always seemed to be in the right place at the right time and I find myself doing the same today. My size and strength have allowed me to progress as a player but I still think my biggest strength is my ability to read the game.
You have played in the midfield at UCSB, and up front for the past 2 seasons. Do you have any preference on where you play?
I think wide midfield is my best position. I do enjoy playing forward but I don't see the ball as much as the midfielders do. I constantly find myself wandering back into midfield to get the ball when I play up top. In midfield, I feel I can create more and this is because I get more touches on the ball. I think any player is going to be more effective when they get more touches on the ball.
Last season we saw Ciaran O'Brien, Andy Iro, Eric Avila, and Brennan Tennelle all get drafted from UCSB to MLS teams. How has it been trying to lead the team after losing so many talented players?
It has been a struggle this year with the team and there have been many ups and downs. With such a young team, anything can happen in any game and we have experienced that this year. With such few juniors and seniors, we had to make sure we were an organized and disciplined team. I felt that we have done a good job with this but we still have had problems in our play. We took a big hit on defense and that is where we have struggled the most but I think we are finally putting the puzzle together. We have progressed over the season and the younger players have gained a lot of experience which is a huge factor. This experience is what we will need when we enter the NCAA tournament as every game can become your last.
Do you keep in touch with any of these departed players; have they told you what kinds of things to expect from the MLS?
I keep in touch with a number of the players who have left our program and entered the MLS, mainly Andy Iro and Eric Avila. They are still my good friends and we talk consistently about all of our teams. Iro has mentioned the intense level of play that the league demands from you a number of times and how he has struggled through some parts of it. Overall, they both have nothing but positive things to say and are really enjoying their experiences in the MLS.
Looking ahead, what are some of your goals over the next few seasons?
My goals for the next few years are to stay healthy and to keep progressing as a player at the next level. I love the game of soccer and want to play it for as long as I can. I would love to welcome the challenge of even going overseas to play and think it would be a really good experience for me.
What are some of your hobbies when you’re not on the soccer field?
My main hobby when I am not on the field is just to relax and enjoy time with my friends and family. I have tried playing golf a few times but I just don't think it’s the sport for me. And when I have nothing to do around the house, I am constantly watching movies to let the time pass.
Have any specific player interviews you would like to see in the future? Leave a comment and we will do our best to fulfill your request in the future.
Sat, 01/17/2009 - 22:22
#2
Your British Grandmother is very proud of you Chris. However, you will always be playing FootBall in my eyes. I am sorry that your Great Uncle George did not live long enough to rejoice with the rest of your family at your acheivements. Pip pip old chum and look out David Beckham here comes my Grandson.
Fri, 01/16/2009 - 12:07
#3
hey he went to my school so Chris if you see this St.J's is supporting you all the way when you were there i was either in kindergarten or first grade
Tue, 10/28/2008 - 08:13
#4
Yes, Quincy seems to be scoring for fun right now. The whole UC Davis team has been quite the story. The Big West is certainly going to produce a few MLS players.
Mon, 10/27/2008 - 23:54
#5
Funny thing is Pontius is not even the best player in the Big West. Check out Quincy Amarikwa at UC Davis. He has 15 goals, 31 total points and 12 wins for the Aggies. Ask Pontius about the jaw dropping bicycle kick he scored at Harder.
Fri, 10/24/2008 - 15:25
#6
From what I've read about Pontius, hes quite the player. Wouldn't mind seeing him in TFC kit next year. I know the number 1 target is O'Brian White, but I wanted to ask someone in the know, whats the comparison between Marcus Tracy and O'Brian White, who will be a better striker?
Fri, 10/24/2008 - 15:01
#7
Am I missing something or does O'Brian White to TFC just make way too much sense at this point? With that being said, how is he doing this year? I can only find stats around from last year.
Fri, 10/24/2008 - 09:55
#8
O'Brien will be interviewed, dont you worry... We are working hard to getting him locked down for one, But i wouldnt worry too much about his canadian roots.
Watch this site every friday as Terry has said in the article above, new players will be interviewed!
Thu, 10/23/2008 - 23:31
#9
I wouldn't mind hearing from O'Brien White. Whether he has Canadian citizenship or American citizenship among other things.
Chris Pontius is the man. I have had the priveledge of playing with him in club at the U-19 level and I new he was going to make it big. He is a player you can rely on to get the job done in times of need! He is a good guy and I know he will be playing in the EPL one day!