Feels Like the Very First Time

August 28, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix Rising FC News Release

In honor of Aaron Dennis' first professional goal, we spoke to some players on the team who have scored professionally and asked them what they remembered about their first professional goals. Below is an edited transcript. (Interviews done by H. Jose Bosch)

Jose "Chiva" Cuevas

"I think its something everyone remembers. I was with Charleston Battery at the time. I scored at Richmond (Kickers). I actually had two goals that game. We won 2-1. My professional debut is something I'll never forget."

"It was big time. We had preseason, where I was scoring against MLS teams but that professional goal, when it counted, was big time. And me, being a small guy, but first professional goal was a header. I found that ironic that I never win headers and that time won the header and it ended up being 1-1. Then I scored with five minutes to go and it was 2-1. That was a big week for me. I got player of the week. So, it was good."

Jonathan Top

"It was in August 2012. We were in Vancouver with Dallas and there was a breakaway counter attack that we had and (my teammate) played me a ball across the goal and I was by myself, one on one against the keeper."

"I was super excited and super happy. I remember my teammates were, too. Just the fact that that year for me was a very big year and I worked super hard to get to that position and my teammates noticed that and they saw the work that I was doing before to get a goal in an important game like that. .. It was very special for me."

"You want more, honestly. You get there and you're like 'I've had a taste of it. I like it and I just want to keep scoring goals.'"

Scotty Morrison

"I remember it. It was for Aberdeen against (Hibernian). We ended up winning the game 1-0. It was a free kick from about 35 yards, so it was brilliant. We won the game 1-0, so I felt like a hero. My dad was in the stand and my mom was in the stand. I think the guy in front of them put a bet on for me to be the first scorer. I think the odds were 50-1, so I think he put a fiver on it and made 250 pounds. So that was a cool story."

"I can remember it like it was yesterday. I scored into the (Hibernian) fans on Easter Road and the Aberdeen fans were all the way down the other side of the field. And I remember turning and trying to run to the other side of the field and I gave up about halfway (laughs). That was a special moment."

Dennis Chin

"I scored my firs professional goal in Open Cup. I got played through and cut someone in the box and just shot it far post by the keeper. And I remember just going crazy. It was my first start ever for Orlando. ... Because of (that goal) I started getting paying time that season. So it was massive for me."

"You know, when you score, you kind of go crazy. You don't even think. You do the dumbest things ever. I remember doing, like, three celebrations. I did a Drogba and a Torres. I did everything. But yeah, I just remember going crazy and then I calmed down and was like 'Act like you've done it before.'"

Tyler Ruthven

"Up there (in Harrisburg) I scored on a corner. And they have this little...it's like this old, rickety porch that overhangs. And I scored and I tried to Lambeau Leap it up there. And like mid air I realized I was nowhere near it and it was just like a weird air five and back down. It was terrible."

Aaron Dennis with Arizona United SC	Jose "Chiva" Cuevas of Arizona United SC	Jonathan Top of Arizona United SC
Scotty Morrison of Arizona United SC	Dennis Chin of Arizona United SC	Tyler Ruthven of Arizona United SC

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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