Ahead of the Seattle Sounders’ match against D.C. United on Saturday (7 p.m. PT; JOEtv, YouTube TV, Univision-Seattle, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM | TICKETS), SoundersFC.com caught up with D.C. defender and former Sounder Oniel Fisher. The Jamaican international was traded to D.C. this past offseason after spending his first three professional seasons with the Rave Green. NOTE: This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
SOUNDERSFC.COM: How are you liking D.C. so far?
FISHER: It’s been good. The team is jelling together, the city is good, the people are good. It’s just a nice area. I’m enjoying every bit of it right now. I’m still kind of getting to know more about my teammates and the area as well, but no complaints.
SOUNDERSFC.COM: Is it nice having other Jamaicans on the team in Darren Mattocks and Dane Kelly?
FISHER: It definitely makes it a little more comfortable. I’m roommates with Dane Kelly, but we knew each other even before coming to D.C. It makes it feel more at home.
Oniel Fisher with D.C. United | USA Today Sports
SOUNDERSFC.COM: How does it feel coming back to Seattle?
FISHER: It’s been a while but I feel the energy. As soon as I got out of the plane, it was like, ‘This is where it all started professionally.’ This is a feeling I’ll never forget and will always have. It’s like a home to me as well. The energy is definitely there.
SOUNDERSFC.COM: Is there anything about Seattle you missed?
FISHER: The community. Lovely community, lovely fans. I can’t say anything bad about the city, it’s all good for me.
SOUNDERFC.COM: Are there any favorite spots you want to go to while you’re here?
FISHER: Taste of the Caribbean, it’s a Jamaican spot. I’m gonna go hit that up in a little bit and catch up. That was my spot when I was here.
Oniel Fisher with the Sounders in 2017 | USA Today Sports
SOUNDERSFC.COM: I know you’re still friends with a lot of the guys on the Sounders. How is it going to feel playing against some of your friends and former teammates?
FISHER: Being in Seattle, we were always close. Now that I’m not in Seattle, I try to keep in touch as often as I can to catch up with Tony Alfaro, Jordy Delem, Nouhou, all those guys. It’s going to feel weird, but it’s our job. It’s what we do. We’re here to compete, so we just have to go out there and compete and see what happens.
SOUNDERSFC.COM: How is it going to feel playing at CenturyLink Field for the first time as a visitor?
FISHER: I was definitely thinking about it, like, ‘Wow, I’m on the other side and in the other locker room.’ I’ve never been in that situation, so right now it’s a little bit weird, but it is what it is. It’s my job and it comes with what we do, so I just have to embrace it and go out there and do what I have to do.
SOUNDERSFC.COM: Do you have any lasting memories or favorite stories from Seattle?
FISHER: Too many. The one thing that stuck with me is being in the locker room. There was a camaraderie, family. It was always vibing in the locker room. Then of course winning MLS Cup was my greatest memory and achievement here. I definitely won’t forget those.
