Kansas City Wizards draftee Teal Bunbury believes he is ready to be a professional footballer and has praised his father for helping him prepare for the big-time.
Teal's father Alex, a former Canada international and West Ham United striker, has guided his son through the ranks and Teal says the influence has been a great help in making it to MLS.
"I felt it was the right time for me to go pro I always wanted to make that next step to the professional level and I think that I am ready," Bunbury told CBCSports.ca.
"Throughout the season, I talked about it with my dad. He had a big influence on whether I would go or not. He thought I was ready, too.
"He used to be my coach for a lot of years. He's always pushed me really hard. At the time, I didn't like that, so I would come home and complain to my mom about it, and she would always have my back," Bunbury admitted.
"But he pushed me hard and it's gotten me to where I am today. I've always looked up to him ever since he was playing. I always wanted to do what he did."
Bunbury was taken by the Wizards with the fourth overall pick in the SuperDraft on January 14 after a brilliant 2009 with Akron Zips in the NCAA soccer competition and is looking for further improvement once his MLS career kicks off.
"My main thing is becoming more lethal, more of a killer instinct in front of goal. I did score quite a few goals at Akron, but I feel I could be more lethal in that regard," Bunbury admitted.
