On this week’s edition of We Are TFC II, we sit down with forward Shaan Hundal.

What has been your favourite moment in your soccer career thus far?

Hundal: Scoring my first goal with TFC II.

At what moment did you know you could go pro?

Hundal: When I was in the Academy and Danny Dichio had a meeting with me and truly believed in my potential. It meant a lot coming from someone who has played at the highest level.

Do you have a coach/mentor that has impacted your soccer career?

Hundal: Danny Dichio. He made me realize how many different components there is to playing forward and continued to help me with it.

Do you have a player you like to model your game after?

Hundal: Not really.

Anyone you admire around the training grounds?

Hundal: I like to watch what Jozy [Altidore] does. How he uses his big frame to hold the ball up for the team. I pay attention to how he and Seba [Giovinco] finish. Watching them in training really shows me what I need to improve to get to the next level.

Taking a quick look at your phone, which photo in it means the most to you? 

Hundal: A picture of when I signed my contract. It was a big step in my career.

If you weren’t playing soccer what would you want to be doing?

Hundal: Probably playing another sport, maybe basketball. Growing up I used to play both basketball and soccer. Never really competitive but I used to play with my friends a lot. I was pretty good… but my parents chose soccer for me.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Hundal: Chilling with my friends and family.

You guys do anything specific?

Hundal: No, we usually just chill at someone’s house or at a park.

Do you have a favourite movie?

Hundal: Nope.

What about a TV Show?

Hundal: Narcos and Surviving Escobar. A lot of that right now.

Music Artist?

Hundal: Kodak Black.

How have you found the adjustment from the Academy to the pros?

Hundal: A lot faster and physical.

How did the Academy help in your development as a professional?

Hundal: It helped a lot by sending me to big competitions and they knew exactly what to do to get us ready to be a pro.   

You went to Italy this offseason for the Viareggio tournament, what was that experience like?

Hundal: It was a good experience. Getting to play against Juventus gave me a chance to match my abilities with top European competition. It gave me a chance to show my leadership [abilities] throughout the tournament.

And you were with the Canadian national team at the CONCACAF Championship, what was that honour like?

Hundal: It was a great honour. But knowing that I have another cycle to go through with the U-20s. It helped me a lot to get me experience and I now know what it takes to make it to a World Cup. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it done this cycle but the cycle coming up I know what I have to do to get that last push.

You buried one against Antigua and Barbuda, take us through it.

Hundal: I should have had two or three that game. I wasn’t getting the lucky bounces but getting one was great.