Posted: Jul 24, 2015
FULLERTON, Calif. – The Cal State Fullerton men's soccer team will feature 17 new additions to the squad that won the program's first-ever Big West Conference Tournament in 2014.
Throughout the summer, FullertonTitans.com will "Get to Know" the newest Titans, that will step on campus for the 2015-16 academic year.
The seventh Titan signee to join FullertonTitans.com for a Q&A is midfielder Ross McPhie.
Ross McPhie | Saint Kentigern College | Western Springs Football Club | Nelson Suburbs Club
Height: 5'8"
Year: Freshman
Hometown: Nelson, New Zealand
Position: Center Midfield
FullertonTitans.com: What made you ultimately decide to attend Cal State Fullerton and play for the Titans?
Ross McPhie: After talking to coach, and other people about Fullerton, I believe the Titans play a brand of soccer that I want to be a part of. Also the location is a bonus coming from New Zealand. California was one of those places I always heard of but never thought I would actually go.
FT: What position do you play, and what is your favorite aspect about playing that position?
RM: Center midfield. My favorite aspect about being a center midfielder is being able to help the team out in both ends of the field, being able to support as many areas of the attack as possible, and covering the defense incase things break down. However, it is playing the game that I enjoy the most. So although center midfield is the position I am most accustomed to, I have played out of position before, and liked seeing the game from a different perspective.
FT: What will the Titan fans expect to see from you on the field in 2015?
RM: I am a hardworking, determined, team player who reads the game well. I like to play short or long passes that can cut defenses open for my teammates to get behind the opposition's last line of defense.
FT: What do you plan on studying in college and why?
RM: I plan on studying civil engineering because I believe that there are many job opportunities after graduating and English never was my strong point.
FT: If you had a chance to spend the day with anyone throughout history, who would it be, and why?
RM: My grandfather on my Dad's side who sadly passed away when I was 8 so I did not get the chance to know him. I have heard about him, and his successes, so would therefore like to get to know him more in order to understand more about my heritage.
FT: What is your hidden talent?
RM: I can juggle whilst riding a unicycle.
Favorites:
Food: Nothing beats Mum's home cooking
Music: I have a lot of respect for people that can sing and write their own songs.
Movie: Inception
Quote/Saying /Motto: "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." – Bill Shankly
Place to play soccer: Kiwitea Street, Auckland
Sports team: New Zealand Warriors
Athlete: Andrea Pirlo
Your favorite all-time sports moment: Nakamura's free kick vs Manchester United in the Champions League group stage, 2006, at Celtic Park. If Celtic won this game then they progressed out of the group stage. With 9 minutes to go the score at 0-0 Nakamura scores one of if not the best free kick I have ever seen to send Celtic into the round of 16.
Music: I have a lot of respect for people that can sing and write their own songs.
Movie: Inception
Quote/Saying /Motto: "Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I'm very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that." – Bill Shankly
Place to play soccer: Kiwitea Street, Auckland
Sports team: New Zealand Warriors
Athlete: Andrea Pirlo
Your favorite all-time sports moment: Nakamura's free kick vs Manchester United in the Champions League group stage, 2006, at Celtic Park. If Celtic won this game then they progressed out of the group stage. With 9 minutes to go the score at 0-0 Nakamura scores one of if not the best free kick I have ever seen to send Celtic into the round of 16.
