FIU FORWARD QUENTIN ALBRECHT
Before arriving in Miami last year from Frankfurt, Germany, FIU forward Quentin Albrecht had been to the U.S. once, four years ago for two weeks in Boston. So it's safe to say Albrecht encountered somewhat of a culture shock -- an affectionate one. Not that it derailed Albrecht, who led the Panthers in goals last season and is at it again this year scoring four of the five goals for undefeated FIU (3-0) which takes on Wisconsin on Friday in Madison. Albrecht has been cooking on the soccer pitch for FIU and in the kitchen as well where he can whip up an Italian favorite. The Johnny Bravo/Jimmy Neutron look-a-like also has Mark Zuckerberg-like plans for his post-soccer career. . . .Like to go Out of the Cage with Quentin Albrecht.
PP: The difference between Miami and Germany?
QA: The main difference is the heat. I ran for like two
weeks just to get used to the heat here in Miami. There are a lot more nationalities here
just on my team. In Germany, there were at the most like two other
nationalities. I like that about Miami. It’s good to get to know all the
cultures. I like going to South Beach. Downtown Miami is interesting, but it’s
not the prettiest place in Miami. I like Miami. One of the reasons I came here
is because Miami is not in the middle of nowhere and I come from a big city in
Germany.
PP: What was the biggest culture shock for you in Miami?
QA: People are quick to say I love you a lot.
PP: In Miami? Are you sure? You sure it wasn’t Miami of
Ohio?
QA: They get to love you here in Miami really fast. All the
people here say, “Nice to meet you. I love you.” People in Miami are really
friendly compared to Germany. They are friendly in Germany, but not
personal-friendly.
PP: Why do you think soccer has not caught on in the United
States?
QA: That’s an interesting question. In Germany, it’s the
biggest thing ever. It’s like football here in America. Every little kid in
Germany wants to be a professional soccer player. Soccer is getting better in
America and people are more interested in it. They know all over the world it’s
a big deal. The U.S. National team is getting better and there is a lot of potential
for soccer in the U.S. because this is a huge country.
PP: What was it like for you with the U.S. National team
practicing here?
QA: It was good. The coach, Jurgen Klinsmann, talked to us for
like 30 minutes. He was very motivating. He talked about how a professional
should live and the mentality it takes to play soccer. You have to be mentally
strong and it applies to me since I’m a forward. You might think of the missed
chances during a game, but if you think of the positive stuff you might get
better. Think of how you are going to score the next goal and not how you would
miss it.
PP: When you first heard Kenny Arena was going to be the
coach here, did you know much about him?
QA: The first thing I did was Google him. I didn’t know a
lot. I knew the last name because of Bruce Arena, his father. Kenny was an MLS
player and he was a pretty good player. He’s a young guy whom I really like
because he can relate to us, how we feel on the field and what problems we
might have besides soccer. When Kenny got here he had individual conversations
with each player, which is really good. I like to talk a lot to the coaches.
PP: Before you Googled Kenny, what was the most famous arena
you knew? Madison Square Garden?
QA: Allianz Arena (photo above) in Germany where they play soccer.
PP: What’s the best tasting German food?
QA: Wiener Schnitzel, which is breaded veal.
PP: What’s your favorite American food?
QA: I like a nice hamburger from Five Guys.
PP: You need to go to Fuddruckers up the street from Five
Guys on SW 107 Ave. Five Guys is like
McDonalds compared to Fuddruckers. You have
different burgers to choose from at Fuddruckers like Buffalo, Turkey, Elk or
Wild Boar.
QA: I like a good burger with mushrooms on top. Not so much the exotic meats.
PP: I heard you are the best cook on the soccer team. What
is the best dish that you cook?
QA: Spaghetti bolognese. I use different meats, mushrooms,
onions, tomatoes, garlic. You need time to cook it properly, about three hours.
I learned from my cousin in Germany. We have a lot of Italian restaurants in
Germany and I eat a lot of pasta and pizza.
PP: You’re an international business major. What are your
plans after you graduate?
QA: I would like to work on an app that has to do with
social networking that includes something else. It’s top secret.
PP: You’ve gotten from different people around here that you
look like two different cartoon characters: Jimmy Neutron and Johnny Bravo. I
going to go with Jimmy Neutron since you have this top secret app you are
working on. Which one do you think you look like more?
QA: I don’t know who Johnny Bravo (below right) is so I’ll go with Jimmy
Neutron (below left). We have Jimmy Neutron in Germany, but not Johnny Bravo.
