Interview with Winthrops goal threat Daniel Revivo
Daniel Revivo has scored at least 10 goals every year he has played in the NCAA and this year is no different, Daniel currently has 11 goals and sits 11th in the nation in points per game. The Eagles clinched the Big South regular season title with a come from behind win on Wednesday and hold the top seed heading into next weeks conference tournament. Revivo, who was named to the Hermann Trophy watch list, will be looking to help take Winthrop to the NCAA championship tournament and prove he can score against some of the nation’s best. His goalscoring record aside, MLS teams may be more enticed by Daniel as he holds duel citizenship (American and Canadian).
We would like to thank Daniel for his time and wish him all the best in the Big South tournament.
How would describe your career at Winthrop?
Very successful. The guys here are amazing as are the coaching staff. I feel as if I’ve improved every year and am continuing to develop every day.
What would you describe as the best moment of your career at Winthrop?
It would probably have to be in my sophomore year, scoring a hat trick in the conference finals championship game to win 3-0. Scoring 3 goals in a game as a striker is what you want to be doing every game, but to do it in a championship game was unreal. Everything was going right for me that day.
You’re currently taking Entrepreneurship, if the whole professional soccer thing doesn’t work out do you see yourself becoming the Donald Trump of Richmond Hill?
Haha, that would be nice, but hopefully with better hair. I’ve wanted to be a professional soccer since I was a little kid, it’s been my dream, but I also see the importance of getting an education and having a back-up plan. If soccer doesn’t work out for me, at least I’ll have a degree to fall back on.
If you were to get drafted and the opportunity to play in the MLS exists, would that be your first choice? Or would you maybe like to pursue something overseas?
I just want to play, it has been my dream since I was 5 years old. Whether overseas or here in the MLS, I just want to play. Whatever oppurtunities come my way I’ll look at them and decide what would be best for me.
Do you get to watch many MLS games? Would you naturally like to play for Toronto FC as it is so close to your home?
I try to watch every game I can on TV, and I follow the league online as well. During the summers, I play PDL in Toronto and I’ve been to many TFC games. Playing for TFC would be amazing, Toronto is an amazing city and the support for the team is unlike any I have seen in the MLS. All my friends and family would have the opportunity to come out to the games would be amazing as well.
What would you say your biggest strength as a player is? What do you think you need to improve in order to be successful at the next level?
Finishing. I would also say my size and play with the ball at my feet. For a big striker, I believe I have good technical skills as well. I’m very good with my back to goal, as well as in the air. I think that there is always room for improvement in every aspect of my game.
Are there any soccer players you look up or try to model your game after?
I love watching Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic play. Ronaldo’s speed and dribbling, Henry’s finishing and awareness, and Ibrahimovic’s runs off the ball.
Every level you have played in you have put the ball in the net, however critics say you haven’t done it against the best conferences in the NCAA. What do you have to say to these critics?
Critics can say what they would like, I play against whoever I am up against. I have no control over who I play. Teams we have played have all had very good results against teams in the “best conferences in the NCAA”. That’s what is amazing about soccer, it’s all about who shows up to play. If we were given the opportunity to play against some of the top teams, I know we would do very well. We have been very successful so far, as have I.
In 2006 you had a 4 game stint with the U20 Canadian team, why don’t you think you were involved with the u20 world cup team (that scored 0 goals in the tournament)?
I had been involved in many training camps prior to the U20 world cup, and I thought I had a good showing. Right before the tournament I had a meeting with Coach Dale Mitchell and we discussed my involvement with them team and he told me he didn’t think I had the same international experience as some of the other players. I was competing for a spot with guys like Andrea Lombardo and Will Johnson. They were playing overseas at the time and I was still in school.
Was not getting picked motivation for you to show the CSA that they made a mistake?
Not getting picked was tough, especially because the WC was in Canada and its any players dream to represent their country. Even though I was disappointed, I believe everything happens for a reason and not getting picked really motivated me to develop myself and work even harder. I think this has really helped me in becoming the player I am today.
Growing up in Richmond Hill was soccer the only sport you played? How did you get your start in soccer?
My dad grew up playing soccer, and every since I could walk I had a soccer ball at my feet. Growing up I was always playing sports, but soccer was my life. Growing up in Canada I played hockey for a while, but there came a point where I had to choose between soccer and hockey and I didn’t even have to think about it. I played basketball and volleyball in high school as well.
Is there one specific soccer team you have always supported and dreamed of playing for?
Manchester United. I’ve always been a diehard Reds fan. Playing at Old Trafford would be a dream.
What do you miss the most about Canada while at Winthrop?
Definetely my family.