5 Questions with RSL forward Robbie Findley on the 2010 World Cup

After starting three of four World Cup matches for the U.S. national team, Robbie Findley returned to the United States earlier this week to get back in the swing of the things with Real Salt Lake. Upon his arrival at Salt Lake City International Airport, he talked to reporters about some of the highlights of his experience.

Question: How did the energy of the World Cup compare to the final of the MLS Cup last year?

Answer: It was just nonstop. Every time we were on our way to the stadiums there were people in the streets, even to practice. There were people in the streets waving and blowing their vuvuzelas. It was rooting and cheering nonstop. It was a good feeling.

Question: How did you feel when you found out you were going to start against England?

Answer: I found out right before the game, so I had no choice. I had to get myself together and go out there and be able to perform. It was a good feeling. I've watched those players growing up and they're some of the best in the world, so it was good that I was getting an opportunity to go against them and see where I stand.

Question: You were on the team bus that got blocked by elephants, right?

Answer: Yeah. Before the England game, we were going to training the night before. The cops stopped in front of us and our bus stopped, and we all looked up and there's a huge, huge elephant in the road standing there. It was crazy. They wouldn't let us off the bus.

Question: The coverage back here in the United States has focused a lot on the officiating. What were your thoughts on the refs?

Answer: There were a few times where the officiating didn't go our way. At that time you really can't do anything and I think we responded well to it. We didn't let it get to us too bad. We came back in that (Slovenia) game and were able to tie it up. I guess it's going to happen. It's not all going to be perfect. Hopefully, it can just improve as time goes on.

Question: What was the attitude like in training camp because you were competing for a starting spot with Edson Buddle and Herculez Gomez?

Answer: I didn't really look at it as competing against anybody, I just went out there and did what I can do. And at the end of the day, it's the coach's decision to put the guys out on the field that he wants. We're a team, we can't be going against each other. We have to be a unit, and that's how we went about it.