Daniel Wenzel ..... Residency

WPS Soccer wanted to give people and idea of what kind of person Daniel is and assure everyone he's not only a great soccer player. He seems like a pretty normal kid off the field as well. Going away from home at 15 is a big step, but also a huge chance in life in the game he loves.

Residency is a program US Soccer started for the U-17 age group(men only). They normally have about 40 players in residency and players can be there close to 2 years. Daniel would be in the next younger wave of players, so he's probably looking at 2 years in Bradenton Florida. They basically split into an A and B team....normally the B being the next wave of U-17 starters. There definitely is movement as well, so Daniel will have to stay sharp and play his best during his stay.

He will practice, go to school, and live and breathe soccer at the highest level. I wish him nothing but the best. I'm positive most people in Washington feel the same way. He will be our 3rd official players from this State to accept residency. The others being Nicholas Besagno and Preston Zimmerman, both still part of the U-17's and residency until at least after the World Championships.

Below are Daniels answers to my questions...enjoy

1. When did making the National Team at any age group become a goal or dream or yours?
To be honest, I didn’t really start thinking about National Teams until Nik Besagno made it on the 17s… before that it never really crossed my mind! Nik is a friend of my brothers—so it brought it a little closer to home.
 
2. What does residency mean to you?
Residency means a lot to me. I was ecstatic when I heard that I was invited. I want to get a lot better and mature as a player.

3. What sort of music gets you ready for a big games.
The Game or Jack Johnson

4. Do you have anthing you do, wear, routine you have before a games?
I don’t even think about it, I just get my body ready.

5. PS/PS2 xbox, or game cube? Which is your favorite and what game is your
favorite for the system of choice.
PS2—all of the “FIFA” games

6. Do you have an ipod?
Yes… well, I lost my brothers’ in the Hong Kong airport—but I’m getting a new one- and working off the cost of his new one.

7. Have the parents taken you shopping for that residency laptop or
computer yet?
Yes, they have.  Actually my Dad ordered a new laptop for himself from Dell, I get his old one that’s about 9 months old.

8.Do you juggle on your own?
Yes- of course!  I play or juggle whenever I get a chance.

9. Favorite professional team?
Manchester United

10. Biggest influence in soccer?
Zidane and Roy Keene

11. Anyone at FC United you'd like to thank?
Everyone basically—here’s just a few special shout outs- coach and friend Seth Spidahl, Coaches Kevin Zamira, Bryan Yorke, and Reece Olney. My FC United 89 team and the FC United 87 team for letting me practice with them all these years and treating me like one of them. Lastly my brother Micah.

12. What are your best abilities as a player in soccer? (ie tackling, passing,
heading)
You named them… tackling, passing and heading.  I also read the game well.

13. Favorite movie (all-time)?
Mean Machine

14. Favorite soccer experience so far?
The Mexico trip- or World Finals in Hong Kong. Tough choice. Seeing the Czech National team play a qualifying match against Finland when I was in Prague was also pretty tight.

15.Goals in the future for soccer in your life?
Seth Spidahl once told me ‘if you’re going to dream… DREAM BIG.” So my future goals are becoming Captain of the full National Team and to go on and play for any team in the Barclay’s English Premier League.

Bio-
Daniel Joseph Wenzel

Born 4/13/90 in Federal Way. Has lived in the same house all his life 5'11 1/2" (that half is important!!) 157 lbs blond hair, blue eyes.....youngest of 5

Kristi 28- pharmaceutical rep.
Matt 26-teaches at University of Buenos Aires, writes for Buenos Aires Herald.
Jeff 22 just graduated from USC, deciding on career options.
Micah 17 FC United 87, Capt Bellarmine Prep Mens Soccer

Daniel began playing soccer at age 3 1/2 on Micah's team.
Federal Way Soccer could not show me a minimum age requirement! He held his own and played with Micah's team for 4 yrs, until Micah went
P1.

Daniel attended a full time self contained gifted program (yes... he rode the short bus :) at Nautilus Elem. All Pre-AP or Honours classes at Sacajawea Middle School student government -7th grade rep, 8th grade ASB officer. He was able to maintain a 4.0 GPA while missing 34 days of school for soccer travel last year. Was to give the graduation speech at Sacajawea,but was in Guadalajara with the national team....

Played for FC United 88 at U11, U12 and FC United 89 U11-U15 (past 6 years)
2003 was ODP state team alternate,
2004 (first yr age eligible for ODP) State team capt., Regional team player, National team- has been National team Capt last 4 outings.

Has 2 birds, 2 cats (one is a 25 pounder!) 2 dogs- "Tally-Ho" 14 yr old Beagle & 20 month old black Lab "Beau" named after FC United 87 forward.....Beau Macalus

WPS Soccer wishes Daniel and his family a great future in soccer.

WPS Soccer