Posted by

Steve Bottjer ,

March 19, 2014 Email Steve Bottjer Twitter @BottjerRNO

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Kyle Porter

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Kyle Porter is a 24 year old winger/midfielder with D.C. United. A product of the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency program, the 6 foot tall attacking threat has previously played for the Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Edmonton. At the International level, Porter has represented Canada at the U17 and U20 levels and has earned 7 caps with the Canadian Men’s National Team.



RedNation recently had the chance to catch up with Porter to discuss his thoughts on his first season in Major League Soccer, the roster changes that D.C. United made over the offseason and D.C.’s upcoming match in his hometown of Toronto against the burgeoning powerhouse that is Toronto FC.



RedNation Online: Kyle, D.C. United made a large number of roster changes over the offseason, bringing a number experienced quality players. How are things coming together as you and your new teammates work to gel and build chemistry?



Kyle Porter: I believe we are more together as a team this year. We got rid of some big pieces but we added back big pieces in Bobby (Boswell), Eddie (Johnson) and (Fabian) Espíndola. I think together as a team we are putting things together. On the pitch we are taking some time to click but overall we are coming together well in training. Moving forward, I think everything will come together.



RNO: In addition to bringing a number of defensive players, D.C. added a couple of big name forwards in Fabian Espindola and Eddie Johnson. What have those two players in particular brought to the squad?



Kyle Porter: They are a constant threat. Last year we didn’t have the depth up top and it showed. I think our leading goalscorer was myself with three goals. With Espindola and Johnson, they are clinical in front of the net. You cannot follow asleep with those guys coming at you. I think this year we will have that missing piece with them that we didn’t have last season. Our wingers are great and our midfield is great – we just needed those pieces up top. Now we have them in those two.



RNO: With all the new faces, does that change your role this season compared to last year?



Kyle Porter: Most definitely. Nothing is guaranteed on paper. Right now I am coming off the bench. To get my starting spot back I have to prove to Ben (Olsen) that I deserve to be out there. I think all the competition that there is at my position is only good for me, to help me grow as a player and as a person. I’m excited for the challenge and I will get back out there in the starting lineup eventually.



RNO: Looking at the D.C. United roster, there is a lot more depth in the squad at every position. How has that affected the level of competition and intensity in training sessions?



Kyle Porter: It has enhanced it for sure. Training sessions are much sharper and you can tell that everyone is fighting for a position and that everyone wants to play. I think that Ben will have to make some tough decisions week in, week out. That is football and I think it is healthy competition and it can only make us grow as a team.



RNO: I’d be remiss if I did not ask you about new teammate, fellow Toronto native and Canadian International Nana Attakora. Is it nice to have him on the team and have you taken him under your wing in terms of helping his integration to a new city and a new club?



Kyle Porter: Most definitely. We have known each other for the majority of our lives. We grew up playing together and he actually lives with me now. It is great to have him on the team. We inspire each other and we actually push each other even more now. It is great to have him here.



RNO: Even though D.C. United struggled as a team last year, you had a strong first season in Major League Soccer – playing in 27 games, including 18 starts, tied for the team-high in goals scored with 3 and also recorded one assist. Now that you have had an offseason to reflect, how do you look back on what you achieved in your first season in MLS and first with D.C.?



Kyle Porter: I think I made a name for myself in the league. I felt like I could have done more, especially in front of the net, because I did create a large amount of chances. But after sitting back and reflecting on last season, I now know how to move forward in MLS. I wasn’t really used to the system and the intensity of the games. Playing week in, week out and being in the U.S. Open Cup, it was three games a week and it definitely affects you. So now I am mentally and physically prepared for matches and that is the biggest thing moving forward into this season. I think it will help me a lot.



RNO: You and your teammates had a bye week last weekend, but lost your home opener to Columbus the previous weekend. What did you and your teammates learn from that game and what feedback did Head Coach Ben Olsen give following the defeat?



Kyle Porter: We weren’t too negative with ourselves (after the game). It wasn’t the greatest performance, but we also saw the areas that we still need to work on. I feel that while there were negatives there were also a lot of positives. Columbus aren’t a team that are three goals better than us. We lacked in pressure and I think that moving forward it is just about making adjustments to improve. So I think we will be all right.



RNO: Your next match will be on the road for Toronto FC’s Home opener in Toronto. Even given that it expected to still be quite cold on Saturday, have you been looking forward to the trip to Toronto and playing at home?



Kyle Porter: Most definitely. It is not only getting the chance to play in front of family and close friends, it is also a chance to go up against a squad that is going to be a top contender this year. They displayed it against Seattle and there are some big players on that team. So to go out there and play against them is a great opportunity.



RNO: Like D.C. United, Toronto brought in a lot of significant players during the offseason and there is a lot of excitement around the club with new players such as Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley, Gilberto and Julio Cesar joining the team. With the new firepower that TFC Head Coach Ryan Nelsen has at his disposal, what do you think you and your teammates need to do in order to come away with a result on Saturday in front of what is expected to be a raucous and pumped up Toronto crowd?



Kyle Porter: We just have to come with fire and keep the high intensity and put them under pressure. I also don’t think we can turn off for a second. Watching Toronto play against Seattle, Defoe didn’t really touch the ball much, but when he did he scored. So we can’t turn off at all with players like that on the field. If we play with high intensity and high pressure, I think we will be all right.



RNO: Fellow Canadian International Dwayne De Rosario left D.C. United over the offseason and was another big name signing for TFC. Dwayne is usually mentioned as someone special to all of the young professional players from Toronto who are now making their own ways as professional players. Have you ever played against Dwayne before and are you looking forward to going up against him as an opposing player on Saturday?



Kyle Porter: I haven’t played against him yet. This will be my first encounter with him. He is a big role model for me and I’ve looked up to him over the years and I still look up to him. It’s going to be a great battle and he is the enemy now.



RNO: You are a player that made the jump from playing in the NASL with FC Edmonton to the MLS. As someone who made that transition first hand, how do you think the two leagues compare to each other and what are the main differences?



Kyle Porter: The main difference is obviously the facilities and the travel, with not every team having a stadium and trips such as going from Edmonton to Fort Lauderdale that take a toll. But the NASL is a competitive league and there are some great players in that league. I feel that with more teams in that league and having conferences and such, I think NASL can grow. But the MLS is a class league with the organization and the quality of the fields. That is the only part that NASL is off on because you will get turf and not even the nicest turf. Especially in Edmonton, I know the turf was a struggle for a lot of players when they made the decision to come to Edmonton. Overall, the intensity of every game is a lot greater in the MLS. But the level of quality is very good in the NASL and there are a lot of players that can make the jump to MLS.



RNO: At the International level, you made your debut with the Canadian Men’s National Team on January 26, 2013 against Denmark. Since then you have been capped six more times. It’s been kind of a quiet time period for the Canadian team, with new Head Coach Benito Floro and various squads doing a lot of behind the scenes work out of the spotlight. What are your thoughts on the current direction of the program and are you hoping to play a big role with the Canadian team going forward?



Kyle Porter: Most definitely. To represent my country means everything to me. So whenever I am called upon I will give my best. I think we are in a rebuilding stage and there is a lot of youth coming through.



I think we are heading in the right direction and I believe Benito is what we need for Canadian football. He is laying down the foundation and we are just building from there.