Josh Wicks chat transcript
Thursday, June 4 - 1:30 PM ET
Josh Wicks made some key saves against Real Salt Lake, now he faces your questions! Submit your questions using the link below and join us at 1:30 PM on Thursday for a live chat with D.C.'s net-minder.
© 2010 MacFarlane Chang DC Soccer, LLC dba D.C. United
Thanks for all ya'll's questions. Catch the game against the Revs on Comcast SportsNet Saturday night at 7:30!
From Josh Wicks - 1:09 pm
Do you have a specific song or artist you listen to before a match to get pumped up?
From Eastern Market - 12:49 pm
2Pac.
From Josh Wicks - 1:08 pm
Who's your FIFA team?
From Ryan (again) - 12:44 pm
Man U - I was rooting for Barcelona yesterday, but you have to play the video game's strengths. There are some glitches in the game - you can score off the kickoff!
From Josh Wicks - 1:08 pm
This isnt so much a question, but instead a great compliment: You're one of the best I've seen. You're very active, athletic, focused, and you clearly arent afraid to do what it takes to get the job done. Keep up the great work!
From Bill - 12:43 pm
Thank you kindly.
From Josh Wicks - 1:07 pm
What is your favorite Barra Brava/Screaming Eagles chant during a match?
From Barra Brava - 12:42 pm
I like the "Vamos United" one and anything that makes the stands bounce up and down.
(Ed. note: Song lyrics here - http://www.dcunited.com/fan-guide/songs-traditions)
From Josh Wicks - 1:06 pm
What is the hardest MLS stadium to play in? What is your worst soccer memory?
From Jason - 12:40 pm
Toronto is tough, because of the turf and their fans don't help you out, either.
My worst soccer memory was playing on a club team when we played the California Region 4 ODP team and got beat 15-0. And, I was in goal for all 15.
From Josh Wicks - 1:04 pm
With the Galaxy, did David Beckham ever say anything about playing in DC before a match in the locker room? about the fans and atmosphere of RFK?
From matt rose - 12:38 pm
Unfortunately, I was injured when the Galaxy came to DC, so I wasn't with the team.
From Josh Wicks - 1:02 pm
when are you going to get married?
From bentley - 12:36 pm
When everything is right (I know my girl is reading!).
From Josh Wicks - 1:02 pm
Mctavish has played in various rolls in his early career, how confident are you in his ability as a center back and why?
From James - 12:34 pm
I haven't had an opportunity to play with Devon as a centerback.
From Josh Wicks - 1:00 pm
How would you feel if you found out President Obama was going to be attending a DC United match and you were starting in goal that night?
From M. Rose - 12:32 pm
I'd feel honored. If any president came and watched us play, I'd feel honored.
From Josh Wicks - 12:59 pm
Josh, from a goalkeeper's perspective, what is it like playing behind a three man backline instead of a four man backline? Does it make communication and assignments easier? Is it worth the tradeoff of only one center back?
From Mike - 12:25 pm
At first I was skeptical - I'm only used to having three in the back when you're down a goal and you have to put an extra attacker on. After seeing it with our guys and seeing how they play it, it does make communication easier. Having the one centerback doesn't bother me at all.
From Josh Wicks - 12:59 pm
In your opinion who is the best netminder currently and also who is the best of all time?
From CVS - 12:23 pm
Gifi Buffon is the best right now and is on his way to being the best all time.
From Josh Wicks - 12:57 pm
Who were you rooting for yesterday?
From Suzanne Velasco - 12:19 pm
Barcelona by far!
From Josh Wicks - 12:57 pm
How come keepers where solid color jerseys. Whatever happened to the Jackson Pollock jerseys keepers used to wear?
From CVS - 12:19 pm
I always say I want the 70's style jerseys with the collars and the fluorescent colors, but they won't give me one.
From Josh Wicks - 12:56 pm
Hi Josh -- My daughter is 11 years old and loves to play 'keeper. This season her confidence has gone down, as her team has been playing tougher competition and, subsequently, more goals have been allowed this season (they only gave up 6 all of last season). Do you have any advice for young 'keepers on how to keep up/regain confidence? What can they be doing as they develop to gain the appropriate skills and confidence?
Thanks!
From Jenn - 12:19 pm
First, I'd say soccer is a game where goals are supposed to be scored to play the game. I had to learn that the hard way, too. That's one thing to remember and it's not a reason to get down on yourself.
Secondly, just try to play your best game. At the end of the day, if you feel you had a good game - whether the score is 2-1 or 3-2 or 5-0 - if you feel you had a good game, you move on to the next game and prepare.
From Josh Wicks - 12:55 pm
What were your feelings coming into DC United, and did you expect to have a three way competition for playing time?
From Kim - 12:18 pm
My expectations were that I'd have a chance to put my name on the number 1 spot. I knew competition would be fierce because I was a new guy coming to a new team. Having three players compete just makes training and makes us better on the whole.
From Josh Wicks - 12:51 pm
Do you move faster now with less hair?
From CVS - 12:16 pm
Yes!
From Josh Wicks - 12:48 pm
Since moving to DC from LA, what local area bars or restaurants have you found most enjoyable?
From M. Rose - 12:16 pm
I haven't had time to go out much. I've been to District Chophouse and they've got great food. I'm looking forward to being able to go out and see more of the city.
From Josh Wicks - 12:48 pm
Who is a better winger, Chris Pontius or David Beckham?
From CVS - 11:30 am
They're both good in their own way.
From Josh Wicks - 12:47 pm
How would you compare the support between Portland and DC? Portland has a very good fan group but how do they compare with our Supporters Groups?
From BigRob - 10:36 am
I'd say Portland compares right along with them. DC has a bigger area to dominate and be loud in and they never stop - and Portland never stops, either. The supporters have chants here in DC and in Portland they have both chants and songs, as well as songs for individual players, which is awesome. Both fans are tremendous in supporting their clubs.
From Josh Wicks - 12:46 pm
What goalkeepers do you look up to and try to emulate?
From Oscar M. - 10:24 am
Any goalkeeper coach I've had. I've always been fond of Van Der Sar (Manchester United) and Lehman (Stuttgart) and Peter Schmeichel.
From Josh Wicks - 12:44 pm
Do you do anything on gameday for good luck, any little habits or routines?
From Oscar M. - 10:24 am
Mandatory breakfast, then a half-lunch - I won't eat everything, I eat most of it, but not quite all of it. Then a nap, I wake up, play FIFA and eat the rest of my lunch. Later, I'll have pre-game meal, then shower, get ready and finally eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the way to the stadium. Then, it's game time.
From Josh Wicks - 12:42 pm
- If a United player "scores" an own goal, does he have to buy the goalkeeper dinner?
- In training, are you pitted against the other GKs, or is more of a cooperative situation? Do you tend to pick up more from Mark Simpson or the other GKs, or from your own experience?
- Do all the GKs work on communication together so that the defenders don't have to worry as much about which one of you are playing, or is each GK working separately with the defenders?
- How do you like DC so far?
From Lonnie - 9:05 am
I wish he had to buy me dinner. I'll look into that for future games.
In training, it depends on the drill - if it's a scrimmage you want your team to win. When it's a finishing drill it's always the keepers against the shooters.
I pick up a lot from Mark and from the other goalkeepers, as well as from my experiences.
From Josh Wicks - 12:40 pm
Hi Josh,
Do you think that your performance Saturday has helped separate you for Louis and Milos in the competition for the goalkeeper spot?
From Ryan - 8:45 am
I wouldn't say separate myself, but I'd say set the line of competition for all of us. They know that it's going to be a fight every day in training - day in and day out.
From Josh Wicks - 12:38 pm
What is your favorite soccer memory from your youth?
From cgorman - 8:35 am
My very first game ever - I was ten years old. I remember a cross coming in - and the game was being recorded, I remember this - and I jumped to catch a high ball and as I'm landing I look down and I'm literally over the kid and I landed on his chest, while he was standing, I jumped so high I litereally sat on his chest. I remember this because we were watching the game later and something happened on the video where you see the ball go in the air and then you just see me getting up from the ground - the video had a glitch and it didn't get it on tape! That day I knew I wanted to be a keeper because it was so fun.
From Josh Wicks - 12:38 pm
Josh,
How does having 3 GK's that have all been seeing playing time help you as a GK?
From Steve Olivarez - 8:33 am
It makes you hungry. It makes you want to fight for your position even harder. It brings out your heart. Everybody is fighting for that one spot, so the training sessions are even better with the competition being so tense.
From Josh Wicks - 12:35 pm
Josh, how much better is it to wear DC United's crest as oppose to the Galaxies?
From TCompton - 10:03 pm
I like the four stars over the crest and it's my team now, so I love it.
From Josh Wicks - 12:34 pm
I've noticed you are the only DC keeper to keep your jersey tucked in to your shorts. It is fair to say that the best keepers in the world have their jerseys tucked in. Do you think the fact you have your jersey tucked in makes you DCs best keeper as well as in the MLS? How far do you think you can go as a keeper whilst your shirt is tucked in, a call up to the national side maybe?
Chris, United Kingdom
From Chris Squires - 6:51 pm
My coach always told me a keeper should look clean and part of being a professional is wearing the uniform the way it's supposed to be warn. I'm trying to maintain smoothness!
From Josh Wicks - 12:33 pm
hi my name is mason and im a huge dc united fan and i think your an amazing goalie. whats it like playing with players like jaime moreno, christian gomez, and fred? also, who was your favorite team growing up?
From mason dumond - 4:04 pm
Those players are great - veteran players teach us a lot. They keep the locker room fun and interesting. I didn't really have a favorite team growing up - I didn't know a lot about international club soccer, but my favorite team was Germany and still is.
From Josh Wicks - 12:32 pm