Real Salt Lake Academy defender Justen Glad was named to the U17 World Cup Qualifying roster. The road to the 2013 U17 World Cup starts on Sunday, April 7th vs Haiti. Grande Sports had a chance to catch up with Justen as his team is already down in Panama training for the game. More details about his call up here.
We will be in contact with Justen throughout the Qualifying games. Check back on Monday for more!
Grande – What was your reaction to the call up?
Glad – “I was ecstatic. I was very happy and felt very blessed to have this type of opportunity presented to me. I called my parents and then my brother and sister right away!”
Grande – How has Panama been so far?
Glad – “It’s been great, everyone on the team is excited and ready to work so the practice sessions have been going really well. We are all preparing and anticipating for very tough games.Its really hot but it’s just something we have to get used to!”
Grande – First game is vs Haiti, what are the coaches telling you to prepare for?
Glad – “We just have to prepare mentally and be ready to play our game. We’ve been preparing for months now and he just wants us to do what we now how to do and play to the best of our ability. Naturally of course we have to be ready to play in the heat as well.”
Grande – Being from Arizona (Tucson native) you of course have to be used to the heat right?
Glad – “For sure, training in Florida has helped us prepare for the heat and humidity as well.”
Grande – One random question, has anything surprised you about Panama?
Glad – “Not really, we went down to Panama a little while back to prepare for qualifiers for that particular reason, they wanted us to have trained in these conditions and on the fields so nothing would take us by surprise.”
Grande – Thanks Justen. Good luck on Sunday and talk to you soon
Glad – “Thanks, anytime!”