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Dwayne De Rosario on Africa<\/strong><\/p>\n 2008-01-03:<\/b>\u00a0By Aldwyn Mc Gill (Caribbean Camera Newspaper) \u00a0<\/strong>Dwayne De Rosario of Scarborough, Ontario is one of the most if not the most decorated soccer player in Canada. \u00a0Last September he was presented with his second consecutive Canadian Male Player of the Year award and in November he scored the winning goal in the MLS Championship final to help his Houston Dynamo team win their second consecutive MLS Championship Cup.<\/p>\n \u00a0De Rosario was voted MVP of the MLS Championship Cup and based on his team winning the MLS Cup, they will play in the\u00a0CONCACAF Champions Cup\u00a0against CSD Municipal of Guatemala in March.<\/p>\n To add to his recent playing accomplishments, De Rosario was asked to represent the MLS and a number of organizations on a mission to Mali, West Africa, to provide support and assistance to the people there. \u00a0As a resulted of his latest off field exploits, I felt the time was right to get an interview with De Rosario to have a feel for what cloud of humility he rode on his return flight to Houston from Africa.<\/p>\n \u00a0Part 1<\/strong><\/p>\n Hi Dwayne<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0How are you doing and how are things in Houston?<\/p>\n \u00a0A: Things are going very well considering we just won our second MLS cup back-to back and looking forward to the challenges next year.<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0How was your trip to Africa?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:<\/strong>\u00a0It was a great educational experience, going to the motherland. They were some real special moments\u00a0and some\u00a0eye opening\u00a0ones, but the whole trip was special and I was grateful to have the opportunity to\u00a0be a part of something so important. Check out my bogs on Houston Dynamo web site.<\/p>\n \u00a0 Q:<\/strong>\u00a0I understand you were chosen to represent the MLS and several other\u00a0organizations on a mission to Mali, Africa. What was the purpose of the trip and do you think that you achieve your objective?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0the purpose of the trip was to attend the Integrated child Health Campaign and\u00a0observe and participate in the distribution of Long Lasting Insecticide treated bed nets for pregnant mothers and children under 5yrs, polio vaccinations, vitamin A for measles and albendazole for deforming. I felt like I achieved my goal seeing first hand this epidemic, Malaria. The effect it has on people\u2019s life, their tradition and of course the number of deaths from this curable disease and trying to spread awareness to the Malian people and the people in\u00a0North America. \u00a0Around 2.8 million bed nets were provided in one week, so that hopefully is saving\u00a0a substantial amount of lives especially the children.<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0Were you surprise to be selected as one of the\u00a0representative of the trip?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Diego Gutierrez from Chicago Fire was leading the campaign and had asked me if I was interested in helping to spread awareness and the purchasing of\u00a0insecticide treated bed nets. He gave me the details and I didn’t even second guess, told him that I will feel honored and the rest is history.<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0Did the trip help you as a person and did it change your perspective\u00a0on life?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0I think a trip like this helps one to appreciate the small things in life and how not to take things for granted.\u00a0\u00a0Just to know that I can help aid people in Africa was a beautiful feeling and the graphic images that we encountered will stay in my thoughts for ever.<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0It was reported that you were also representing the Canadian Soccer Association on the trip. I don’t understand the link. I though it was an MLS initiated program?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes it was a MLS initiated program but I am still Canadian and represent my country\u00a0wherever\u00a0I go, that is the thing about being professional. I represent myself, my family, Canadians and MLS because that is who I am and how people identify with\u00a0me. I think this is a great program for people to educate themselves on and try to participate in aiding poorer countries and I feel so\u00a0much could and should be done towards building a stronger and brighter future for Africa.\u00a0www.nothingbutnets.net<\/a>,\u00a0www.malariabites.net<\/a><\/p>\n Part II<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0Switching to the soccer scene, I got the impression that you are also dependent on, to keep things in tact on the Canadian team. Am I correct?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes most definitely,\u00a0especially as a senior, our job is to set the example for the younger players and fans, and to awaken the CSA and others towards our goals and dreams. We need\u00a0the support of everyone to make this work.<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0In my interview with Julian De Guzman he said that you were the player that he looks up to as his big brother.\u00a0\u00a0Did you know that he looked up to you in that way?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:<\/strong>\u00a0 Yes, well Julian and I go back,\u201d donkey years”. He was always a very talented player with ambition\u00a0and growing up in Scarborough, going through certain situations with provincial\u00a0teams, family\u00a0and our\u00a0environment was very similar and it took a lot for us to continue towards our dream without falling off the tracks. He is a player of great creativity and his maturity is really starting to show making him an even more complete and seasoned person and pro. I am very happy for him and his achievements and enjoy playing on the same National team, he is a true Character at times but when it’s all said and done he steps up and that’s all you can ask.<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0The last time you and I spoke you thought that you could get better with age.\u00a0 Do you think there is still more to your game or were you implying that there may be areas of your game that you would like to work on?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:<\/strong>\u00a0Who said I was getting older? Yes well my father is my biggest critic. My father keeps me honest and disciplined, always pointing out things that I can improve on. I try to stay as honest as possible always working on parts of my game\u00a0and then putting it into practice. My brothers\u00a0make sure that I am focused also, so I am blessed with a lot of family support.<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0Correct me if I am wrong but your pro career started with the\u00a0Toronto Lynx of the A-League, then you went to\u00a0FSV Zwickau\u00a0of the German Second Division\u00a0and then to the\u00a0Richmond Kickers\u00a0of the USL.\u00a0 You are in\u00a0Major League Soccer (MLS) seven seasons now. Is it safe to say that this is the league that you may end your career or are you still open to an offer to play in Europe?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:<\/strong>\u00a0Yes that is true. In terms of ending my career in MLS, I can’t say. There is a lot of clubs and countries\u00a0where I wouldn’t mind playing but as a family man it has to be the right situation.<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:\u00a0<\/strong>How would you compare the level of play in the MLS to the leagues you played before?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:<\/strong>\u00a0MLS is a great league and does not\u00a0get the recognition\u00a0on a global scale. But it is new compared to league’s that has been around for generations. I think now you are starting to see that change with big name signings, European exposure and the general public is starting to catch on. The level in terms of play I always thought was good; it’s physical and a skillful league.<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0What would you attribute your team (Houston Dynamo) success in winning back to back MLS Championship and how was it possible after you guys moved from San Jose\u00a0(Earthquakes)\u00a0to Houston in the off season? \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0Your Houston Dynamo has now won back to back MLS Championship, your accomplishment as a player is endless, you\u2019ve just traveled on behalf of the league, sponsors, team etc. Is there any thing that you would want to accomplish before your retire as a player?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:\u00a0<\/strong>The World Cup! \u00a0Now let’s all try to make that happen.<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0Would you return to Canada if Toronto FC made you a good offer?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:<\/strong>\u00a0The million dollar question! I love Toronto, born and raised in Scarborough, but again the offer has to be right. I know my family and friends would love to see me there but I have accomplished so much with coach Dominic from San Jose to Houston and still continuing our success, so for me to just pick up and leave it means that the offer must be right.<\/p>\n Q:\u00a0<\/strong>What do you think of the atmosphere at the Toronto FC home games? Did you honestly think that the city of Toronto could have responded so favorably to a new franchise?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:<\/strong>\u00a0The response from the fans didn’t surprise me at all. It was just nice to see the people who have\u00a0passion and\u00a0love\u00a0the game show there support.\u00a0 growing up and playing club soccer in Toronto was a blessing for me cause Toronto is a diverse city with a\u00a0knowledgeable football\u201d soccer”, community. It was a great feeling watching Toronto play there first home\u00a0game and I just hope it’s continues\u00a0to grow.<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0What do you think of Canada\u2019s chances in the World Cup qualifying\u00a0especially if you get by SVG in the second round into the\u00a0group of death with Jamaica, Mexico and Honduras?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:<\/strong>\u00a0Let’s not get beside ourselves,\u00a0SVG is a country like us trying to qualify and we have to concentrate on them before anything else. The second round is something I am anticipating but the focus\u00a0must be on SVG. This game I think would be a good test and opportunity to get together as a\u00a0team.<\/p>\n \u00a0Q:<\/strong>\u00a0As the MLS league champions your team Houston Dynamo has made it to the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Your first leg game is on March 11 or 12, and the second leg on the 18 or 20. Does that mean that you may not be available to play for Canada in a friendly during that time?<\/p>\n \u00a0A:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Well this is an important tournament\u00a0for us as so is preparation for the qualifiers.\u00a0For now I\u00a0pray that I stay healthy and when the time comes make the right decision. [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1612200746719{background-color: #f5f5f5 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”pageTitleSection”] Dwayne De Rosario Interview on Africa [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=”stretch_row” css=”.vc_custom_1612200746719{background-color: #f5f5f5 !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text el_class=”pageTitleSection”] Stars in the Community\u00a0\u00a0By Aldwyn McGill To see other sections go hereTo […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":4665,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5177","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanstars.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanstars.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanstars.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanstars.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanstars.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5177"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanstars.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5178,"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanstars.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5177\/revisions\/5178"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanstars.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4665"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/caribbeanstars.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![](\"http:\/\/caribbeanstars.com\/De%20Rosario%20MPOY.jpg\")
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\nCharacter! \u00a0That’s our main reason why we did well. The transition was ruff when we relocated but after we got settled\u00a0it reflected in our play.<\/p>\n
\nSeason Greetings, Bless.<\/p>\n