The senior center back is noted for his leadership, his ability to win balls in the air, and his fearless attacking style. Last fall, Riegler was a key cog for the Fords (9-6-3 overall, 6-4-1 Central League) and his standout play earned him first team honors for All-Central League, All-Main Line and All-Delco boys’ soccer.
Q: Have you always played center back? Who have been your biggest soccer mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each one?
A: My real position is a center-defensive midfielder for my club team, although I get put into center back if there is a really strong opposing striker. I prefer center back because I have a lot more time to be directional in terms of how I communicate, whereas in the midfield, I find that you have to be very concise. From watching classic games like mid 2010’s Barcelona and Real Madrid play exceptional passing football, I fell in love with Iniesta for his incredible vision and Ramos for the pride he has in captaining a side like Real Madrid.
Q: How do you see your role as a team leader – on the field as a center back, and off the field in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic?
A: Given the position I play and having been with the team the longest, I feel good about directing traffic from our back line. Others listen to me very nicely and that makes for a good result in play.
Q: Tell us a little about your soccer training since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. What have you found to be the biggest challenge to your training during the pandemic, and how did you handle that?
A: Once everything shut down, I picked up a personal trainer for about 3-4 months and I practiced every other day for that period, while running and working on agility on my own.
Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: The strongest aspect of my game is either winning balls in the air or communication. Currently, I’m working on short speed and agility.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.
A: Usually, I watch soccer videos or play FIFA and try to recreate certain plays or moves I see in the game. Also, I drink water at all times because it really is the best way for your legs to be able to finish a long game.
Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 4 – why did you pick this number, was there a particular reason?
A: No. 4 is very fitting as center back. I do prefer No. 16, but haven’t had that opportunity in a long time.
Q: What is your favorite course at Haverford High? What do you think you might want to major in at college?
A: My favorite course at Haverford is AP Environmental Science. I’d like to major in some sort of biological or chemical science field.
Fun facts – Duncan Riegler
Favorite book: Middle School: the Worst Years of my Life, by James Patterson.
Favorite author: Jeff Kinney.
Favorite TV show: Trailer Park Boys.
Favorite movie: The Big Lebowski.
Favorite athlete: Eden Hazard.
Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Hit ’Em Up, by Tupac.
Favorite team: Chelsea FC.
Favorite place to visit: AJK shop (rest in peace).
Favorite pre-game meal: Cereal.
Person I most admire, and why: “I most admire my dad for his incredibly unorthodox, yet dogged, work mindset.”
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)