Kip Colvey has had a busy rookie campaign both on the club and international level. Since being San Jose’s third-round selection in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, Colvey has tallied an assist in three starts for the Quakes, won the OFC Nations Cup with his native country New Zealand and is now set to face the United States Tuesday at historic RFK Stadium in Washington D.C. (5 p.m. PT on ESPN). Ahead of Tuesday’s bout, we caught up with Colvey to talk about his recent call-up experience, what it'll mean to face the United States for the first time and if there has been any banter between him and David Bingham ahead of the match.
sjearthquakes.com: This is your first call-up to the New Zealand National Team since winning the OFC Nations Cup in June. How does it feel to be back?
Kip Colvey: “It’s been great. Being with the national team is always an honor for me. Being able to do it in the U.S. is even better. For me to have grown up in the U.S. and to represent New Zealand on American soil is a great opportunity for me.”
SJEQ: Talk about playing Saturday against Mexico in Tennessee and coming on as a 70th minute substitute.
KC: “Mexico is a great team. They’ve proven that over the years. We prepared very well for that game throughout the week in Nashville. It was a good week of training leading up to the match so it felt great to get out there. Mexico was really good on the day. I thought we played well and we gave them a run for their money, but for me, it was great to get on and experience that game in front of a big crowd like that.”
SJEQ: What’s the biggest thing that you’ve learned from your time with New Zealand this time around?
KC: “It’s more or less than the same concepts this time around compared to last time. In both of my call-ups so far, it’s been huge for my development as a player on and off the field. All in all though, I’ve been practicing the same concepts with my teammates similar to when we won the PNC Championship in June.”
SJEQ: Growing up in the United States, what will it mean for you to play against the U.S. for the first time Tuesday in Washington D.C.?
KC: “This call-up to the New Zealand National Team in the U.S. holds a special meaning for me. Having grown up here, it holds a bit more meaning for me. At the end of the day, it’s just another match that we’re trying to win so we’re all looking forward to playing in the Capital so it should be a good match for us.”
SJEQ: You’ll be going toe-to-toe with Bingham Tuesday. Have you talked to him at all ahead of the match?
KC: “No, I haven’t spoken to him at all since I left. I’m sure once I see him on Tuesday there will be a bit of banter on the field.”
SJEQ: So far in 2016, you’ve being selected by the Quakes in the SuperDraft, won the OFC Nations Cup with New Zealand and now you’re in the squad for Tuesday’s match against the U.S. Did you expect all of this in your first season as a pro?
KC: "I feel like my first year as a pro has been a bit of a roller coaster, but I wouldn’t want to change anything. It’s been a great year for me so far and I hope that I can end it well with the Quakes and the New Zealand National Team. I’ve been lucky to have played in as many games as i have and I’m just looking forward to what the future holds."
