SJEarthquakes.com was able to catch up with the newest addition to the club, midfielder, Jacob Peterson, to discuss his transition from Toronto to the Bay Area, Twitter, and his days as a college soccer player.
Peterson was acquired along with Nana Attakora and Alan Gordon in a trade with Toronto FC for Ryan Johnson, allocation money and an international player spot on July 14.
SJEarthquakes.com: How does it feel to be back in the USA?
Jacob Peterson: It feels great. I consider myself extremely patriotic, so being up in Toronto was alright, I missed the U.S. I missed little things that we had. It’s great to be back, especially out here in California. You can’t really complain with this kind of weather and atmosphere.
SJEQ: How was your time in Toronto and what was your favorite part about Canada?
JP: I really didn’t like the city too much. I don’t think that’s a secret to anybody who knows me well, but it was overall a pretty good experience. I was coming off of an ACL injury so it was good to rehab up there. It was a big city so it was fun, and it was close to home. I am from Michigan originally, so my pops got to come up to a lot of games. And it was nice to see my family.
SJEQ: You also grew up with three sisters, what was that like?
JP: It was alright. I left home at 16 though, to go down to the U-17 (U.S.) National Team in Bradenton, so I didn’t have to fend off the boyfriends. I left that to my dad. But it’s great. I’m close with all three of them, so being up there in Toronto I got to see them more often and that was nice.
SJEQ: You and Brad Ring are both Hoosiers. Did you guys play together?
JP: Yeah, for one semester. I was a junior when he was a freshman. I gave him a hard time because it was the only year that I didn’t win a national championship, so I’m blaming him.
SJEQ: Did you haze him?
JP: (Laughs) you know, we didn’t. That was one year when our coach put his foot down and said no. So he got off unscathed.
SJEQ: Quakes teammates Anthony Ampaipitakwong and Chris Leitch both have NCAA championship rings. Will you guys ever compare your rings?
JP: We haven’t. I don’t even know where my rings are. I assume they are at my parents’ house. But I’m sure I’ll have to talk to [Anthony and Chris] about it. I talked to Ampai about Caleb Porter. He was an assistant at IU and he’s the coach at Akron right now. I think we both got along well with him and he’s a good coach.
SJEQ: What is being traded like on your psyche? Is it easier when you come over with two of your teammates?
JP: It’s always fairly difficult, especially mid-season. You have 1,000 different things to do. You have to figure out where you are going to live and how you are going to gel with the team, which is the most important part. But it’s nice to come over with Alan and Nana. I got along well with those two and I knew a couple guys on this team, so the transition’s been good.
SJEQ: What’s your impression of this team so far?
JP: It seems like a great group of guys. Frank [Yallop] and the staff are really laid back, but they also have that edge that they want to win. It’s night and day compared to how it was in Toronto so I am enjoying it so far.
SJEQ: How do you feel that your game helps this team?
JP: I am a hard worker. I’ll work for the team. If I do play out wide I can get in behind defenses and stretch defenses with my pace, so I’ll look to do that. We were talking out here on the field today trying to tell guys what I like to do and learn how they like to play and mesh. It’s going to take some time, but I feel like we’re on the right track.
SJEQ: You majored in political science and after soccer you said you want to be a lawyer. Does that background help with referee diplomacy?
JP: (Laughs) Yeah...I don’t know if I really want to be a lawyer anymore. That’s a lot of schooling. Poli-Sci, when I was in school, was something that I wanted to do. But now I’m just battling. I still have to finish up (school). I don’t know if I have those lawyer skills though. I don’t think I would be too good in a courtroom. I have too much of a temper on me.
SJEQ: You’re very active on Twitter (@jacob__peterson). Who’s your favorite person to follow?
JP: My girlfriend, right? That’s what I have to say. (Laughs) I really get all my news from there so ESPN.com, CNN, and everything like that are the ones I look at the most. If you’re going for pure entertainment value, Ochocinco is up there. But Twitter is really my news source these days.
SJEQ: Have you connected with any of your new teammates via Twitter?
JP: I haven’t yet. I know Brad (Ring) is on Twitter, but I’m going to have to see who else is on there.
SJEQ: Did you play any other sports as a kid? How did you choose soccer?
JP: I played basically everything, with the exception of football. I played hockey, basketball, and everything like that. My dad played minor league baseball for the Oakland A’s, so he wanted me to go the baseball route. But I guess at a certain point I was better at soccer so I stuck with that.
SJEQ: What is your favorite soccer memory from any time in your life, AYSO - now?
JP: Two national championships are great. Playing in the U-17 and U-20 World Championships was great too. I scored a goal in the U-20s, which was one of my highlights. Playing in the MLS so far has been good too. My rookie year we played in the Western Conference Finals at Houston, and it was a really intimidating atmosphere and one of the best I’ve seen in the league to this point. Hopefully we can create some more memories here and win a championship for the club.
SJEQ: Do you have any pregame meals or superstitions?
JP: I don’t. I know that’s lame and boring, but I pretty much keep to myself and listen to music. Nothing too crazy.
SJEQ: What’s one thing that Quakes fans should know about you?
JP: I will work for the team and I am excited to be part of this family out here.
