Thursday 31 March 2016 16:37, UK
After a career in England with Charlton and Leeds, Lloyd Sam has established himself as one of MLS' most dangerous wingers.
Sam made the move to the Red Bulls in 2012 after his contract at Elland Road was not renewed by then manager Neil Warnock.
Since then the England-born Ghanaian international has gone on to win two MLS Supporters' Shields in 2013 and 2015, and is now hoping to go one step beyond and win the elusive MLS Cup this season.
Ahead of New York Red Bulls' trip to face New England this Friday - live on Sky Sports - we asked Sam 10 MLS-related questions to find more out about his American adventure...
How's life in America?
I've been here a while now, for four years, and it pretty much feels like home. I've always been around American influences and American people, it wasn't hard.
My brother went to an American university, so I would always come over. It would often be a holiday destination for me, too.
What is it like playing alongside two Englishmen in Bradley and Shaun Wright-Phillips?
When Bradley came over we came from a similar area of south London and it felt like I was even more at home so it's good having those guys. I already knew him and Shaun. They're very good guys and it's good to have them here.
What's New York like as a 'soccer' city?
In New York, I'd still stay football is not one of the primary sports with all the other big sports we've got such as basketball and American football. But America as a whole, the sport is getting bigger and it's catching up with the rest of the world in that way.
In New York, the excitement when the two teams play is one of the main things that is different since they've come in. The stadiums are full and there's a lot of excitement in the air when we play.
How would you assess the first month of the season?
It's been tough. It's not the start that we wanted to have, but we won our last game so hopefully we can get our season underway now with a few more wins.
We've got a tough game again on Friday [against New England]. Every team is very personal with us this season, after last year we did really well.
We could tell that this was going to be a harder season so we've just got to be turning up to every game and be ready for the battle.
How did the move from Leeds to the Red Bulls happen?
I was at Leeds but I had just gone on loan to Notts County and I had a pretty good loan. I went there, had 10 games and scored five goals.
I was expecting to come back to the Championship somewhere, Leeds or somewhere else, I was waiting around for the right offer but it didn't come.
Then the New York offer came in, so while I was contemplating things in England, I thought 'let me see what that is like'.
They told us to come out and see the place, I saw it and felt "right, the rest is history" because they had a very good team at the time and I'm still here after four years.
I never would've thought I would be saying that when I first left but I've got no regrets with my decision.
What was it like playing with Thierry Henry?
That was definitely an experience. He still hadn't lost much, maybe a little bit of speed but his brain may have even been quicker.
He's a very intense guy to be around but it was definitely a fun experience. He would always be around you, his passes, his eyes were everywhere! It was fun to play with him.
He had high standards for himself and everyone else. When he was around he just had a presence that he'd want you to be on the top of your game whatever you do.
Do you ever get starstruck by any of the other players in the league?
When you have Thierry Henry as a team-mate I don't think you can get starstruck. But there are big players, Kaka was one who I thought "OK, this is a player I rate highly."
Differences between MLS and the Championship?
I wouldn't say there are huge differences. MLS is a very physical league, the Championship is very physical too. There's a lot of talented players over here and it's not that different when I think about it now.
It's not that different from the Championship, there's lots of very difficult games and every game anyone can win.
Any lesser-known players in MLS viewers on Sky should be looking out for?
Every team has got decent players you have to watch out for.
We're playing Friday against New England and I'll name one of their players and that's Lee Nguyen, he's a very good player.
He's in the national team now but he's one to watch out for. Collectively they've got a decent team and people will be surprised [of their quality] if they watch more games.
Would you like to finish your career in MLS?
Why not? You never know what can happen, but if I'm fit why not?
