Matt Friesen returns as Kitsap Pumas free kick artist

Matt Friesen was one of the top Kitsap Pumas offensive contributors in 2009. The attacking midfielder gained a reputation for delivering killer free kicks. We caught up with the Oregon native and Whitworth graduate to ask him about last season, his career, and being part of a club with big roster changes for 2010.

What did you learn about yourself as a player last season?
"Last season we played pretty direct, which isn’t necessarily my strong suite and I had to learn how to be effective through the system. Without the ball at my feet as much I needed to make more tackles and be a bigger presence defensively. I was able to do some of that and added a few goals so I found myself in the regular rotation."

What were your personal and team highlights / favorite memories?
"Lots, but personally I had two free kicks go in against the Timbers, being from Portland that was nice, and the goal at their place, I had family there so it is always good if you can score in front of them. As a team I would have to say the unbeaten run we went on that stretched from pre-season to our last game in Victoria was a team highlight. I am a big believer in mentality and very much have a winning mentality so it was nice to see that throughout the team, it almost felt as if we couldn’t lose at times. It was also nice considering you picked us to finish what was it, 4th in league, and we finished two points from the best record in the nation."

Meet more Pumas: Dustyn Brim, Tony Kerr, Cameron Hepple, Jamel Wallace (video), Tye Perdido (video), Robby Christner, Eli Gordley (video), Todd Wallenius, Stephen Phillips, Greg Miley

Friesen celebrates his free kick goal last season in Portland, with former Pumas Kyle Johnson and Spencer Schomaker. (Jenni Conner)

The roster has changed quite a bit for 2010, and we've got a new head coach, too.  How do you see the changes? What are the challenges for you with so many new faces around?
"Change is good, but of course I miss the guys from last year as we were all a close knit team. But it brings new challenges, for me I have a lot of competition for my place in the team, so it keeps the level of training high as we all have to fight for our spot. There are of course ex-Sounder players, some Sounder players on loan, and other experienced professionals so I also get to learn from them and take some of their good habits for my own game."

How has it been going assistant coaching for the South Kitsap High School Wolves? What are you helping the kids with and what are you learning from them?
"I’m enjoying it, they are a quality group of guys and have surpassed some of my expectations for them already this year. James Ritchie has the reigns so I just try and add what I can from a player’s perspective, little habits that will take them to the next level; like Niko and Diego developing a right foot, for one. I will take bits of each session and try to bring a bit of a different feel to the training. Each coach has a different style and drills they use."
 

You had several nice free kick goals last year. Where did you learn to take them? Any secrets to share with youth players?
"It is all about preparation. You don’t see the hours behind the scenes where I’m getting repetition after repetition, and believe me at times it didn’t look pretty. That is with any skill, you need repetition until you can’t do it wrong. I learned the skill from a good friend from college, Ali Seyedali, who made the ball move up and down like I’ve never seen, and I just said, well looks like I need to learn to do that. As with lots of parts of my game he would spend the time and show me how he did it. Although I think I have developed my own style now, he was a huge influence in my game."

Matt Friesen in Brugges, Belgium. (Courtesy photo)

Describe your soccer career so far. Where did you play youth? How did you hook up with Kitsap last year?
"I am a late bloomer, physically and to the game of soccer, I was 5’5” in my sophomore year of high school. I played three sports in High School: soccer, basketball, and golf and to be honest I was probably best at golf then. But a good friend got me to go to Whitworth and there is where I really learned to love the game of soccer. Sean Bushey was a big help as well as Ali (that I mentioned earlier.)  As far as it goes with the Pumas when I graduated I went to Belgium, had a great preseason there leading the team in goals, then was sidelined for the majority of the regular season due to visa issues. Once I had my visa I started six regular season games before coming back. Andrew Chapman got a hold of me via an old soccer coach, Nelson Larson, who coaches at Willamette University, and I went through the trial process last year and made the team." 
 
What are your best memories from Whitworth? Did you have rivalry confrontations with any of the Pumas that are from Whitman?
"Best moment was probably hands down an overtime free kick by Todd Sabrwoski that sent us to the Final Four in 2005 against Trinity University. We probably got outplayed that game so it was such a great feeling to put that much into a game and come out with a win. 

As far as rivalries, we have a bit of banter between me and the UPS guys as we were more rivals than Whitman. That being said though, it was always a battle with the Whitman guys as well. I remember Steven Phillips scored a great goal against us my Senior year and I thought, oh maybe Whitman does have good players, but I have never lost to Steve as I have Taylor and some of the guys from UPS last year."

 What are you long-term soccer goals? After soccer?
"My soccer goals are many, but I’d love to play in the MLS, Europe again, and/or Australia. I love the game and would love to see the world and experience other cultures while doing it. After soccer I would like to retire ideally, but I’ll probably work."

A few parting shots: Favorite: movie? "Top Gun and others good films."
Singing artist / band? "Tiesto and a bunch of others."
Food? Fast food? "Steak and mash potatoes, Fast Food: Subway or Quiznos."
Thing to do before a match? "Sleep."

Friesen in action in last year's Narrows Bridge Bell rivalry with Tacoma Tide FC. (Jenni Conner)