MetroFanatic: Dax, you called it a goatee, but there's quite more here.
Dax McCarty: (laughs) I was gonna shave yesterday, but I decided not to.

MF: I think there is more to it than that. You're the captain for the second year, usually young players don't get to be captain. You've been in the league for a decade now, I think you might be getting... old.
DM: Ha! It certainly feels that way. 10 years, man, that's a long time.

MF: What has changed the most in these past 10 years?
DM: I think a lot of things have changed. Certainly, as you mature, you get a little bit older, you learn more about yourself as a player, you learn more about what makes you better, how to prepare better for games, how to take care of your body off the field. All that stuff plays into it. And I've definitely gathered a lot of information the past couple of years.

MF: So you have matured...
DM: I'd say so. Ha! My fiance would probably disagree with you. But I think I have, I've grown up a lot, I've learned a lot from the teammates that I've had. I had a couple of different coaches who have helped me grow as a player. I still think I have a lot of learning and growing to do. At this point of my career, I'm definitely happy with where I'm at, but I still feel that I have more to give.

MF: Beating DC two years in a row, that was a big monkey on the back for a good 20 years. That must have been a good feeling.
DM: Of course. Any time you beat DC, it's a good feeling. Obviously, beating them in the playoffs makes it extra special. They are our biggest rival.

MF: Even with NYC in...
DM: Yeah! DC game for me is always gonna mean a lot, and for the fans, I know it means a lot to them. It's certainly our most storied rivalry, certainly the oldest rivalry. As far as importance goes, DC is still the most important one, but NYCFC, for obvious reasons, the proximity, bragging rights and all that stuff. But every time you step on the field against DC, it's always a fight, it's always a battle. So beating them the last couple of years in the playoffs is something we're all really proud of. But that's only the first step.