MetroFanatic: Can you give us an idea of where you're at in preparation for the upcoming season?
Chris Albright: I'm just trying to progress in my rehab program day by day. Right now I'm doing more on the field, more with the ball. I'm trying to get up to the point where I'm back in training full time over the next couple of weeks.

MF: Have you had any discussion with Hans about where you will eventually fit in with this team?
CA: I've really only been here for a day, this is basically day two for me. What I can help with for the time being is guiding some of the younger guys that haven't been around the league for very long, on and off the field. As I get back on the field, that'll eventually take care of itself. From what I've heard from the guys, Hans seems like a players' coach and I look forward to working with him.

MF: Are you still confident that you'll be able to get back to the level you were at before the injury?
CA: Absolutely. That's the goal, otherwise this would be an exercise in futility. I feel certain that I can get back to that level eventually.

MF: You were out there this morning on the new pitch, could you give us a couple thoughts about the stadium?
CA: It's incredible. When you consider the fact that the stands are covered 360 degrees around, that's going to add to the volume and atmosphere here. The atmosphere here is going to give you that tingle up your spine when you take the field, and I think it's going to create some uncertainty for our opponents. That's the most important part of all this, that we can use our home facility to our advantage on the field.

MF: For many years, you've been on the opposing side of the field, you've had a couple hostile chants from the supporters thrown your way...
CA: Just a few! I'm used to them though. For some reason, I'm not the most well-liked player in this league.

MF: Why is that?
CA: I don't know. I think if you meet me off the field, I'm a pretty decent guy.

MF: You've really earned something of a bum rap in this league over the years, along with some other guys like Olsen and Dempsey...
CA: Not the same kind of "rap" as Clint, obviously! (laughs) I'm not complaining though, passionate fans are what we're looking for in this league. In a sense, I feed into that stuff and that's what keeps it going. I'm from Philly and I'm a diehard Philadelphia sports fan in every way, so I completely understand the passion of the fans and their slight hatred for certain players. (laughs)

MF: Speaking of Philly, the Union get their start this season. What do you think about the rivalry that has started to develop between the two teams?
CA: It'll be interesting. Obviously my heart is somewhere else when it comes to the Philadelphia Union, but it'll be great for the league. It's important that we get the fans in the northeast cities engaged and build rivalries like we have in other sports. It's important for the growth of the league, and having the two teams only an hour apart, it should be a great rivalry.