It’s been a big year so far for Sporting Kansas City midfielder Mikey Lopez. After being drafted in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft by Sporting Kansas City, Lopez missed part of Sporting’s pre-season to join the U.S. Men’s U-20 National U-20 team for the CONCACAF U-20 Championships in Mexico. We caught up with Lopez to talk about everything from his thoughts on the World Cup Draw to his favorite color.
Have any of the guys on the team here taken you under their wing and helped you in your transition to the pro level?
Yeah, they’ve all been really helpful. I really like the way that they’ve been treating me. They do mess with me a lot because I’m the new guy and I’m the youngest here, but it’s normal and in good fun. I’m used to it.
How do you like Kansas City?
Except for the snow and the cold, I like it here. I like the city. Everything’s been good and the people have been very good to me.
Do you miss college?
Yes and no. I miss my friends and my team, but I don’t really miss the school aspect of it. I like to play every day and that’s what I’m doing now - so that’s what makes me happy.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned so far being in a professional soccer setting?
I’ve learned that I have to come out here and prove myself and that I can’t take anything for granted.
How is your mindset different going into training with the U-20s where you know you’re a key player whereas with Sporting you’re fighting to be in the mix on the gameday roster?
I don’t think my mentality changes with the national team even though I’m considered a key player. I still have to go out there and prove myself and prove that I am a key player for Tab (Ramos) and for the national team and Sporting is the same way. I have to fight for everything. I have to prove myself here with the team and with the coaches. My mentality doesn’t really change in the sense that I have to prove myself on both teams.
How do you think playing with the U-20s this spring helped you?
It helped me transition to MLS because I had to practice more and play against professionals.
The U.S. U-20's will be in a group with Spain, France and an African country TBD. What are your thoughts on the group?
It’s going to be a fun group. I think it’s one of the toughest groups there. It’s going to be difficult but at the same time it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a good experience playing against Spain and France and an African team in the World Cup.
You got four yellow cards in five games at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship. Is yellow your favorite color?
(Laughs) I mean, I have yellow cleats so I guess you could say yellow is my favorite color. No, I don’t usually get yellow cards so those were a little out of character for me. It happens.
What did you think of Matt Besler and Graham Zusi’s performances with the senior national team in their draw with Mexico in World Cup Qualifying?
They did really well. They made our country proud and they made U.S. Soccer proud. They were both key players. Besler was a key player in the defensive end and he broke down a lot of plays and he did really well. It was surprising that that was only his second cap. Zusi did well on both sides of the ball, attacking and defending.
