Nelson Akwari: The MLS as a whole has a lot more money to work with and so the perks are much better. The training atmosphere, stadiums are better the higher you go. The MLS is still growing as well, so it is going to get better in time. The great thing about the USL is that each team is individually operated. When you are negotiating your contract as a player, you're dealing with a club who has the power to give you what you want. You don't have to negotiate with the league and hope your club accepts your deal as well. In terms of the quality of play, overall, MLS is more competitive. With that being said, there are players within the USL system that could easily play in the MLS, and there are players in the MLS that wouldn't make it in the USL. I think salaries and comfort have forced a lot of good players to come to the USL.

minute91: Which city  is your favorite to play in?

Nelson Akwari: My favorite city to play in was columbus. I enjoyed playing on the road in chicago, but overall, playing in columbus is my favorite stadium. I met my wife in Columbus and I still have  a lot of family and friends there.

minute91: Two years ago you decided to leave Real Salt Lake to play in Charlotte in USL2. What were the factors that led to that decision?

Nelson Akwari: First off, let me say that I loved my time in Salt Lake, and I enjoyed playing for Real. I decided to leave for professional and personal reasons. As the club was moving into its third season, I was asked and I wanted to play a bigger role on the team. The two previous seasons I was used as a starter or as the first defender off of the bench. Going into my third year with the team I was hoping that I would be able to earn a contract that would represent what my team was asking of me. Unfortunately, we couldn't come to an agreement on a decent contract, so I walked away. I got married in the offseason of 2006 and as I was weighing my options, I received a call from the Charlotte Eagles of the USL 2. At the time, my rights were still with Real Salt Lake, and I was hoping to get them moved to another MLS team. My wife and I prayed about Charlotte, and we felt that Charlotte was where we needed to be. I knew I was giving up a bit in the level of play, but what I gained in my growth as a man, husband, and professional was invaluable. The Charlotte Eagles are a Christian ministry team and they provided an atmosphere for my wife and I to grow in our first year of marriage. My Christian faith and beliefs are a big part of my life, so playing for the Eagles was an easy decision. I also felt that if I worked hard, opportunities to play at a higher level again would come around.

minute91: What is your favorite soccer memory?

Nelson Akwari: My favorite soccer memory is living and playing with the U17s down in Bradenton, Florida. That experience is so unique and I will remember it forever.

minute91: What are some of your careers goals for when your playing days are over?

Nelson Akwari: When I am done playing soccer I want to be able to impact the lives of the youth in a positive way through sport. The Charlotte Eagles in the USL 2 are a Christian ministry team, and they train their players in how to be a positive influence in the arena of soccer. I realize that doing that type of work may not be able to pay the bills, so I need to get back to UCLA and get my degree. I'm thinking about following in my dad's footsteps and being an engineer.

minute91: Charleston had an incredible run to the Open Cup Final before falling to DC United. Tell us about that experience and what it showed about the level of play in US Soccer.

Nelson Akwari: The Charleston Battery did have a great run, and we were excited about the opportunity to play in the Final. I wish we could have beaten DC, but they played well and deserved the victory. What I have noticed about the play of soccer in the US is that there are a lot of good players in the MLS and USL. I don't know how US Soccer can rectify the situation, but if the MLS is meant to be a better league than the USL, then there need to be changes. Without a doubt, there are players in the MLS who should be in the USL and vice versa.