Dave's Real Adventure

Bucks defender spent much of February in training camp with Major League Soccer's Real Salt Lake after going unselected in January's SuperDraft. The speedy left back sat down with The 14 Point Blog to give us his view on his time with RSL, among other things.

14P: Having just come off a great season with Michigan State, you were invited to the MLS Combine and touted as the best left back there by a number of journalists. What was your feeling when you weren't initially selected in the SuperDraft?

DH: My initial feelings were disappointment, but like a lot of things in life you live and you learn.

14P: How did RSL's Discovery Pick come about with you? Did you know of other teams interested in your services?

DH: One day I received a phone call from Jason Kreis and he said they were going to bring me in for a little bit of their preseason. I also had contact with Chivas USA, but by the time everything happened RSL tagged me as a discovery pick.

14P: Bucks teammate Steve Clark joined you in RSL training camp a few weeks ago, had you heard he was coming or did he show up and surprise you?

DH: Yeah I had heard he was coming, he gave me a call a few days after being tagged and said he had had the same thing happen.

14P: How was it to have someone you know training with the same team?

DH: Its always nice to have a guy on the team that you know and like, but also another Spartan was there who played on the team named Kevin Reiman so between Steve and Kevin it made the situation better.

14P: Were there any players in training camp that you'd looked up to as a kid?

DH: Yeah. Clint Mathis was definitely one I remember from the 2002 World Cup.

14P: What are the noticeable differences between the college/PDL level and the MLS level of play?

DH: The intensity and speed of play. In MLS you have good players who are all fit so in that nature it tends to speed up the game, and it does take a little time to get use to.

14P: Do you stay in touch with any of your Bucks teammates?

DH: Of course some of the Bucks players are good friends. Shipalane, Holody, Stacy, Demartin, Scaffidi, Clark, Russell, the list really goes on and on. We’re all a family.

14P: Did RSL manager Jason Kreis know about your flip throw?

DH: Haha. No I was kind of glad.

14P: Before coming to the Bucks last season you played the previous 3 summers for the West Michigan Edge, much closer to your hometown in Holland. What’s more the team featured a number of your teammates at Michigan State. Was there any bad blood between you guys?

DH: No, we don't take those moves personally and they knew that the Bucks have been very successful in the past summers. So, there were no hard feelings.

14P: Did Clint Mathis given you any hair advice?

DH: No, but it turns out he is a real nice guy

Short Answer (just pick one) Best city: Holland, East Lansing or Salt Lake City?

Toss up between EL and Holland

Best League: England, Spain or Italy?

England

Better Player: Ronaldo or Messi?

Ronaldo

Thanks Dave and good luck!