For a 17-year-old signing, he’s something 17s are remarkably used to seeing. Dominik Chong Qui joins a prestigious group of players to play left back and come out of Atlanta United’s Academy system at a young age.
Chong Qui signed his first team contract April 4, just days after becoming the second-youngest player in club history to start a match.
Atlanta United’s Homegrown signing from Alpharetta, Ga. is still a teenager, but he sure doesn’t play like someone without experience. His rise through the ranks of the Academy was speedy, and now he’s set on competing for minutes in the first team.
We sat down with Chong Qui and asked him 17 Questions to give him the chance to show 17s what he’s all about:
What’s your earliest memory playing soccer?
I used to do little kickers over in Suwanee, Ga. My first memory of playing soccer was scoring. I got the ball. I remember I took on like four people. I was just running around, and I scored. I felt great.
And when did you know you were really good?
I thought that I really had a chance when I was playing at Georgia Express. When I was younger, I was playing three age groups up, scoring all the time. I knew from that moment that I could really do something with the sport.
You went from signing a 2s contract to earning a first team contract within the span of just five months. How does it feel to have made so much progress so quickly?
It's really crazy how fast things can shift. A year ago, I wasn't really starting with the Academy. It’s really surreal to realize how fast things come and go.
If you could be one teammate for one day, who would you be and why?
Probably Miggy [Almirón]. He's really technical and he's more attacking, so it would be really cool to get a feel of how he plays.
If you weren’t a professional soccer player, what would you be doing?
I’d probably be doing basketball. My mom had me in three different sports. It was soccer, swimming and basketball. And I chose soccer, obviously, but if I wasn't playing soccer, I'd be playing basketball. I’d play point guard, I don’t think I’m too tall.
Do you have any pre-match routines or rituals?
I pray. I pray in the locker room. I pray before I touch the pitch. I pray before the game starts. I'm out there before the ref blows the whistle praying.
What does your faith mean to you?
It means a lot to me, because I just know that God has a plan for me. I really like Jeremiah 29:11. It's saying He has a plan set for me that I just need to follow along and put faith in Him and trust that He's bringing me along the right path.
On March 29, you became the second youngest player to ever start for Atlanta United. That list includes the likes of George Bello and Caleb Wiley. How does it feel to hear your name alongside them in that way?
It means a lot because they all have done really great things for the club and are going on to do better things for their person. It means a lot to me that I could possibly do so much in my career at such a young age.
Who is your idol, whether in soccer or life?
I have to go with my mom. She's so strong mentally, strong physically and she's always positive. I strive to be as positive as her. She’s so kind and thoughtful of other people, not just myself. She's my idol for sure.
Why do you wear No. 50?
I wear 50 because my mom was 50 years old when I started really trying to take soccer as serious as I possibly can, doing everything I possibly can to help her, help myself and help the team I play on.
Being from Alpharetta, how much does it mean to represent Atlanta United?
It means so much to me. It means everything to me that that I wear the kit, because I used to be at every single game for the team, watching from the stand, supporting them. It's crazy that I'm in the position now where I'm playing for the team.
What’s your favorite spot in Atlanta?
It's probably Avalon. I live like five minutes from there. Great shops, especially when you're there on a Saturday night. So many people, great scenes. It's really nice.
You were part of a U-16 team that won an MLS NEXT Cup Championship. What’s your most fond memory from the run with that squad?
As soon as that whistle blew, the feelings and emotions ran through my body. I saw everybody, everything that we have done that season had paid off, and we immediately got together and prayed to God for giving us the opportunity, for helping us through it, all the adversity we faced that year, having it all be worth it.
You were recently called up to the USMNT U-18s. What’s it like being called up to represent your country on the international stage?
I was really happy that my work's getting noticed, that it's not going unnoticed. I'm really blessed that they thought that I was the best possible choice for my age in the country.
Something that stands out about you is that you’re clearly great at earning the trust of your coaches, no matter what level you’re playing at. What would you attribute that to?
Always being coachable. You don't really got to take it like [the coaches] are bashing you or trying to tear you down. You’ve got to take it like they're trying to help you, because they know they see the potential in you. They're trying to help you become the best you you can possibly be.
What’s a piece of advice as a player you wish you would’ve got when you were younger?
There’s always going to be ups and downs. Don't let the downs bring you too down. Always try to be as positive to everybody as you can when you're on the pitch. Don't try to bring your teammates down. Try to bring everybody up, because your teammates will reflect of that action. Try to bring everybody up, and that's when you get great team morale.
And finally, what do you want 17s to know about you?
Hmm. I’m left-footed and right-handed. That’s different, I guess.
