Are you a fan of Premier League football?
Absolutely! Some of the best football in the world being played in EPL
Do you have a preferred Premier League team?
I never had a favorite club in EPL but I have always enjoyed watching whichever match was being shown in the states. We have a diehard fan of NUFC in Ian Fuller, though.
What do you know about Newcastle United?
"We are the Geordies. The Geordie Boot Boys. And we are mental and we are mad. We are the loyalest football supporters the world has ever had," quote Ian Fuller.
How seriously will you guys be taking this game?
We will of course be taking this game seriously. Every time we step on the field we hold ourselves to a high standard. We expect and demand results regardless of the level of competition. We also expect the effort to be there. If a player's effort is no longer there, I believe he loses his opportunity to play.
Which Orlando players should we be looking out for?
We have a pretty well-rounded team and it's difficult to pin-point a specific player. But Rob Valentino leads the defensive core while Miguel Gallardo is solid at GK.
Your ‘gaffa’ is former Everton star Adrian Heath – what is he like to work with?
I couldn't say better things about Adrian. He's a very intelligent footballer and an even better coach. He understands the game so well and what sets him apart from other coaches is his ability to translate his knowledge to the players. He's the type of coach that players want to win for.
How big can soccer in the US become?
I feel over the past decade football has grown immensely in the states and the amazing thing is that it's continuing to grow at an alarming rate. Stadiums are consistently packed on gameday in MLS, and even in our league we have put up numbers in the stands that compete with MLS.
How popular is Soccer in the Orlando area?
There are still a lot of people in the city that don't know much about our team because we are a new organization, but the fact that we have 3 separate support groups shows that there are plenty of people interested and we have very passionate fans.
How would you describe your own playing style?
I believe in order for a player to be successful he must be honest with himself; He must understand his strengths and weaknesses. I am a very versatile player with a lot of athletic ability and I have a passion for the game. I don't like to play in my comfort zone, and I am constantly pushing myself to the limit each time I step on the field. I want to win, period.
How far can you personally go in the game?
I believe complacency is a player's downfall. If someone is satisfied with where they are they won't get better. Individuals should have no limits and should continue to strive to be the best that they can be. There is always room for improvement and for a better understanding of the game. Personally, I want to be the best and I want to learn as much as possible. When I am finished learning it will be time to hang up the boots.
Where will you be playing your football 5 years from now?
It's tough to say where I see myself in 5 years' time. Each year I set mini goals for myself, something that is attainable, which keeps me from settling into complacency. Ultimately I believe it is every player's goal to proudly represent his country on the greatest stage.
Orlando City SC are a brand new football club – what are the clubs short term and long term goals?
Short term goals for the club would start with this season. We want to finish atop the table and win a championship this year. I think we also want to fill the seats and prove to MLS that we are a club to be reckoned with. I think in 2-3 years' time we hope to be representing the state of Florida in MLS.
And finally – what will the score be when Orlando City come up against NUFC?
I can't say for sure but hoping it will be a close game and a hard-fought battle. I think NUFC will be surprised by the level of play that OCSC is capable of.
This will most definitely be a game worth watching!
You can follow Erik on Twitter @erikustruck
You can also follow me @MarcSDuffy for football chat!
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Marc Duffy is a National Account Manager in the alcoholic drinks industry - a career in alcohol was obviously the natural step after following Newcastle United for all of his 32 years. Marc blames his father for his obsession with Newcastle United - since attending his first game at the age of 4 Marc has endured many ups and downs, and despite the lack of silverware remains positive that a trophy will be won at some point in his lifetime! (Wait, does the Intertoto cup not count?) Follow Marc on Twitter @MarcSDuffy
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