Oct. 8, 2009

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Junior transfer Michael Farfan has wowed Carolina men's soccer fans with his brilliant offensive play this season. Farfan has scored four goals and recorded two assists for the Tar Heels and shares the team lead with 10 points. His creative play has made him the leading goal scorer and shooter on the squad. Farfan's second-half goal against NC State in September gave Carolina a 2-1 lead and their first ACC victory this season.

Farfan and the Tar Heels travel to No. 6 Wake Forest at 7 p.m. Friday.

TarHeelBlue.com: Why did you decide to transfer to UNC?
Michael Farfan: I decided to transfer to find a school that fit me a little better. I came on my visit to UNC and fell in love with the place.

THB.com: What was the most difficult part of the transition in coming to UNC?
MF: Not being able to see my family as much.

THB.com: How do you create opportunities for yourself and your teammates? MF: I try to create opportunities for my teammates by deception. My aim is to make the opponent think I am doing one thing and instead do another to catch them off guard.

THB.com: Did you expect the game against Maryland to go into OT? How did the team bounce back from the late-goal loss to Maryland?
MF: I believe overtime was in the back of everyone's mind. However, it didn't, so we learn from it. We need to keep our focus every second of every play. All we can do now is use the loss as motivation moving forward into our upcoming games.

THB.com: Who is the toughest defender you've gone up against in a collegiate game?
MF: I think it would have to be my friend Anton Peterlin, who already graduated from Cal Poly SLO, because he is a tough defensive-mid who never gives up.

THB.com: Who is the toughest defender on the UNC squad?
MF: I am a big D-Rod (David Rodriguez) fan, but unfortunately he is not able to play this season. Zach [Loyd] is the toughest defender in my eyes.

THB.com: If you could play one-on-one soccer against any soccer player past or present who would you want to play and how would you beat him?
MF: I would have liked to play against Maradona at his prime because it fascinates me what he was able to do with the ball at his feet even with multiple players guarding him. And I really don't know if or what I would do to beat him.

THB.com: What was the experience of playing in the 2005 U-17 Youth World Cup like?
MF: It was an honor to be able to represent the U.S. in a tournament with so many good players. he tournament was held in a couple cities in Peru. We played against Italy, North Korea, Ivory Coast and Holland. I learned to cope with the pressure of playing in big games.

THB.com: What is the best thing about being a Tar Heel?
MF: The sense of family that everyone shows toward one another.

THB.com: What is the strongest part of your game?
MF: I would like to think my creativeness.

THB.com: Where is your favorite place to have dinner on Franklin Street?
MF: Chipotle.