On Friday afternoon, the US Men’s U-23s will play the first game of a two-leg playoff against Colombia in a last attempt to secure a berth in the 2016 Olympics. Two Minnesotans (MK Dons’ goalkeeper Cody Cropper & Colorado Rapids’ fullback Eric Miller) are on the roster for the fixtures. We caught up with them over the phone on Monday evening after a training session.
Cody Cropper
Thanks for taking the time to talk, Cody. Congratulations on the call-up.
CC: Thanks – I really appreciate all the support I’ve gotten from everyone in Minnesota. It’s good to be back in a national team camp again.
You’ve been recovering from a knee surgery for some time now. How did the procedure go, and what was your recovery process like?
CC: The operation was on my right knee this last September. It caused me to miss the initial fall Olympic Qualifiers, which was very disappointing. Right now the knee is feeling 100%. Unfortunately, this isn’t my first knee operation – hopefully, it’s my third and final one.
Every person has a different recovery process from procedures like this. I had two on my left knee earlier in my career, so I knew what I needed to do in order to get back. I set a goal of being back to training in six weeks, and with my previous experience, I was able to meet that mark. In all honesty, if you asked anybody who’s worked with me this past month, it’s impossible to tell that I had the operation.
You’ve been back in the starting XI for your club, including a start this past Saturday against Brighton. Going into this camp, have you noticed a difference in how prepared you feel?
CC: Massively. I had my doubts going into the camp about my ability. Obviously, everyone thinks that professional athletes have amazing lives. It wasn’t easy – an injury like this can really trip up a career, and recovering was mentally draining. This past year has been tough, with the knee operation as well as my treatment for my skull.
With all of that behind me, it was massively reassuring to get match time with MK Dons in a league that’s as good as the Championship is. It’s definitely been reassuring. I’ve been able to come into the camp with a confidence. There’s a different aura about me in the camp, especially as I’m training and even how I handle my off days. I’ve got a great mentality, and I’m hoping it leads to results.
As one of the few guys who’s 23 on this squad, you’re something of an elder in this camp. Has that made this camp any different than your call-ups when you were 21?
CC: I don’t really think so. I feel like I’m a senior player at this point due to my previous callups. Those camps have been fantastic, and especially working with guys like Tim Howard and seeing how he trains for games. Obviously, (Zack) Steffen isn’t in the camp anymore due to illness. But working with Ethan (Horvath) and Tyler (Miller) – we all help each other out. Goalkeepers are a close-knit community. We do well to prepare each other no matter who gets the start that week.
As far as being an elder, though – leadership is a role I like to take on. That said, I’m okay with not being the captain if there are better choices out there. Wil (Trapp) is a great captain. I tend to be very uptight with how I prepare and handle my pregame regiment and I try to keep my team focused too. It’s really important that everyone is focused and fired up. Off the field, I joke around a lot. I think that’s something a captain can’t afford to do. I’m a joker and a prankster off the field, so having that freedom to cut loose helps. It’s a part of my personality, and I know when I can and can’t let that show.
You mentioned training with Tim Howard. This past weekend it was confirmed that he’ll be joining the Colorado Rapids in the July transfer window. Meanwhile, you took in a Minnesota United game this past July at NSC. Do you have any desire to play in MLS down the road, or are you looking to stay abroad for your career like Brad Friedel did?
CC: It’s a good question. I’ve talked a lot with players at MK Dons, with players on the National Team, with my family and agents. I have a strong want to come to MLS. I’m not saying that’ll be soon – I want to have a career and leave a legacy for myself in England and in Europe.
There are really only two teams I have a desire to play for – Minnesota United & Atlanta United. I have personal ties to both cities, and I would love to end up there. I know [Minnesota United president] Nick [Rogers]. We’ve had a few conversations about them buying my rights in MLS or bringing me in down the road. At this point, though, time will tell what ends up happening.
Going into these games against Colombia, have you noticed anything in footage or in previous experience playing against some of their players?
CC: We haven’t watched footage yet as a team (we’ll start that tomorrow), but I’ve played against some of their squad. We matched up against them as a part of the U-20s under Thomas Rongen. South American teams play similarly – very tricky sides, very attacking-focused. It should be a good matchup for us. We need to get results.
This past year we played Brazil a few times and had 60-70 good minutes each game. We need 90 of those. It’s a good opportunity, and we need to take it.
Eric Miller
Thanks for taking the time, Eric. Late in the offseason, you were traded from Montreal Impact to Colorado Rapids. What differences have you seen going from a playoff team to a team that missed the cut the past couple of years?
EM: It’s been a good start with Colorado so far. I made the playoffs with Montreal last year, but they were actually the worst team in MLS during my rookie season. I’ve seen what it takes to build a team up. Colorado has brought in some really good guys – players like Jermaine [Jones], Shkelzen Gashi, and I can help with the squad. It’s a matter of getting everyone integrated, but it’s a great environment. The guys are positive and we’re all confident in what we can achieve here.
This January was also monumental as you got your first senior team call-up. What was your experience like working with some of the vets?
EM: Working with the older guys was great. Being around them helped me see how to improve my game based off of their habits and their commitment to every drill. They’re always trying to improve. In general, playing at their speed was really beneficial for the U-23s. We needed to be sharp in order to keep up.
In the time since you were brought into Colorado, Tim Howard and Jermaine Jones have been signed by the club. How have those signings changed the dynamic within the team?
EM: It shows that Colorado is willing to spend for players and to get results. The team really wants to improve, and they’re doing what they need in order to get us back to the playoffs.
There was such a major difference in Montreal’s ability once Didier [Drogba] came in. We all improved. Guys like Didier, like Tim or Jermaine, have an irreplaceable leadership and a professionalism about how they approach training and games. It makes the rest of us play to their level.
What would a trip to the Olympics mean to you?
EM: Every athlete will tell you this, but making the Olympics would really be a dream come true for me. It’s one of the most respected tournaments in the world, right up there after the World Cup and the Euros. Having the opportunity to represent the United States would be incredible.
Going into these games against Colombia, what have you noticed about their team?
EM: Well, anytime you play against a South American team, it’ll be a tough game. The weather is hot and humid, which makes it difficult. The teams are always fast, always a challenge. We have a good group of guys called in to go against them. It’ll be a tough task, but we’re ready to go and get the results we need to get back in the Olympics.
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