MetroFanatic: Sacir, let's talk about your days as a MetroStars ball boy.
Sacir Hot: I did it two times, one time against Columbus. Brian McBride was playing, the only thing I remember from that is how high he was jumping for head balls.

MF: What year was that?
SH: When was Brian McBride playing?

MF: Columbus? Up to 2002, I think.
SH: Probably eight years ago, I was 11 or 12 years old then.

MF: So it's a little trip from the ball boy days to the first team here.
SH: It was always what I wanted. I went through the academy, obviously our goal is to make it to the first team. There are only a lucky few. Just to be on the first team means a lot to me. I always wanted to become pro, it was my childhood dream. I've completed that, now it's on to different dreams. It's awesome. It feels good.

MF: Who were your heroes growing up?
SH: In MLS?

MF: Yeah.
SH: I like... I used to like Carlos Mendes.

MF: Used to? But not anymore?
SH: I still do! But when I was younger, we played the same position, and I looked up to him a little bit. I used to like Youri Djorkaeff when he was here, Guevara I used to like a lot. Jozy Altidore, all those young guys.

MF: You went to Germany in the offseason. Was there any real interest?
SH: No trial is really three days long. I trained with Monchengladbach for three days, and then I went to Borussia Dortmund for one day. It was more of a training, really, it wasn't really a trial. Monchengladbach wanted me to come back in the summer to go through preseason with them, but I feel comfortable home. New York City is home, I live here. You gotta feel comfortable to play well. This is my home, growing up here, I feel like I need to develop first, become mature, and then make my way over. I am happy I'm here. I'm home, watching Rafa Marquez play. I can only get better.

MF: Your last name... how many puns will we hear?
SH: Oh my God... I'm surprised I didn't get it in college, I'm already hearing it so much.

MF: I'm ashamed for the Boston College writing staff.
SH: I can't imagine what it's gonna be like when I'm actually starting.

MF: If you ever score a goal, just wait. How do you really pronounce it?
SH: HO-T. It's Montenegrin.

MF: So why #91?
SH: I was told I have to pick 26 or higher, because all numbers were taken, and actually Matt took my number
Matt Kassel: First come, first served.
SH: In the academy, I was #15, and Matt took it, so I was born in 1991, so that's why I chose #91.