Freddie Ljungberg, the Seattle Sounders' star midfielder, may have been the only person ever fooled by the one-time Wendy's slogan "It's not fast food."

That's according to his Sounders teammate Taylor Graham, who stopped by Ballard High School March 10 to answer questions and give advice to a group of student soccer players.

Graham told the students that Ljungberg, who had previously played soccer in Europe, suffered his worst American eating experience at the hands of the fast food provider, claiming he ate there only because it expressly stated it wasn't fast food.

Ballard soccer players took the opportunity to ask Graham for tips on the game.

He said the best players are the ones who are technically clean, not necessarily flashy. Those are the players who get the ball and the game slows down, he said.

To get to that point, players should spend time juggling the ball – using their feet, thighs, head and chest to keep the ball off the ground – to get more comfortable handling the ball.

He said his teammate's record for juggling is 12,345.

"That's ridiculous," Graham said. "But, he's calm on the ball, and he's got great touch."

Graham, a defender, said the key to defense is to have good feet and good organization to be able to see the majority of the field and know where everyone is supposed to be.

At 29, Graham has been playing professionally, including a number of seasons with the old United Soccer League Seattle Sounders, for eight years. In addition, he has a master's degree from Stanford and speaks three languages.

He advised Ballard students to study abroad whenever they are given the chance and said because he finished his education, he doesn't have to worry about his future after soccer.

"Did my mom ask you to say that?" Graham quipped when asked by a student what his post-soccer plans are.

He said he would like to stay involved in soccer, possibly in the marketing and public outreach side of it.

Graham's visit was part of "Active Bodies, Active Minds," an outreach program to schools and community clubs through a partnership between the Sounders and Symetra Financial.

Graham will be appearing at Whitman Middle School on March 12.