F.A. Euro Feature -- www.faeuro.com
Monday, February 3, 2014
BROOKLYN, N.Y. -- First-year F.A. Euro phenom Evin Nadaner turned heads with his play in Italy during the team’s summer tour last August. Now, as he prepares to head back to Italy for a trial with mid-table Serie B side Carpi FC, he’s focused on replicating the form he showed in Lo Stivale four months ago. Before Nadaner said ciao to American soil, however, FA Euro’s Director of Youth Operations, Adam Marcu, and some of FA Euro’s kids got a chance to catch up with the soon-to-be Carpi trialist.
Q: Evin, are you excited for the trial? This must be a hugely anticipated day that has been a long time coming. What’s going through your head right now?
A: Well, as the date of the first practice gets closer, I find myself getting very nervous. I have always been confident in myself but things are getting real, so to speak, and I'm wondering if I put in enough hours. At the same time I'm so excited to test my abilities against some amazing players in a very competitive league. I am also hopeful that I can follow my childhood dreams in playing professionally, which has been a lifelong commitment, and something that would be truly special to achieve.
Q: What do you know about going on trial professionally – especially in another country? Have you spoken with anybody who’s done something similar? Do you feel like you know what to expect?
A: I have spoken to some friends about their experiences but I realize every team is different. With that said, none of my friends have ever been on trial with a team of this caliber, so what goes on this high up on the soccer spectrum is just sort of Greek to me. I really don't know what to expect, except that they're going to be really quality players, and I hope that my first couple touches go according to plan, which would really help me to settle.
Q: I know you’re very close with your Dad. Have you spoken about this opportunity with him? Has he offered any words of wisdom or encouragement?
A: Yes. My dad has always been an advocate of me doing what makes me happy, so he's all for this – he even seems happier than me, actually! He's told everyone he sees – and their grandmothers. I can't go anywhere in my neighborhood without someone saying good luck, or your father is so proud of you. He is confident in me, but at the same time he might not understand the magnitude of the situation, or how good the team actually is at Carpi because the ins and outs of the soccer world aren’t exactly first nature to him.
Q: How important was it to take the tour to Italy with the PDL team last summer in order to help you prepare for this upcoming trial?
A: The tour of Italy was one of the most important things I did to prepare myself for the trial. Not only did it expose me to various teams and coaches that could help me in the future, but it gave me a first-hand look at the level of the players, as well as the style of soccer played in Italy, where national culture is so deeply engrained in the sport itself. Playing against professional teams on our PDL trip helped me to realize the seriousness of the sport and many of the realities of playing soccer as a profession.
Q: What do you know about Carpi FC? Have you been following them at all since you found out that you would be heading there on trial?
A: When I learned about the trial I immediately looked them up on Wikipedia so that I could see their current squad, stadium, the club history, and other basic information. I also looked up on a map where they were – for weather purposes [chuckles]. I have been following them in their league play in Serie B, and they're doing really well, which is both scary and exciting because they're only a few points off promotion to Serie A.
Q: What do you think about the Italian style of play? How is it different from the way we play here in MLS? How is it different from the American college game?
A: The Italian style of play is historically known for its tactics and solid defensive approach. As I was alluding to earlier, playing against some of the Italian teams on the PDL tour in Italy helped me to understand nuances about the Italian tactical style of play. For instance, when you’re on the ball, even though you aren't being pressured by players from the opposition who are running a millions miles an hour at you – as in our current college and even MLS, professional system – the window of opportunity to run with the ball, or make an incisive pass is lost within a matter of milliseconds – less time, even than that what you have when you are being physically pressured as is the way in the American game. The teams are so disciplined it's nearly impossible to find a way through with a pass or a simple bit of skill. In the college or American system once the pressure initially is broken you're in the clear, and the system over here only works because there are so few players gifted enough to consistently break that pressure. In Italy everyone is born with a mind for the game and a perfect first touch – it seems like that anyway – whereas in America those things are rarely found, and when they are found, they’ve required years of rigorous practice to acquire.
Q: Ideally, in a perfect world, where would you like to see this take you? Are you ready to start your career if they offer you a contract?
A: In an ideal world they sign me, I score a hat trick on my debut coming off he bench, and then make the World Cup squad coming out of nowhere [laughs]. Realistically though, I would be ecstatic with a contract from Carpi. It would be my dream to sign for them and be able to play professionally with this team. I am convinced I am ready to start my career, I just hope they believe in me.
Q: In two sentences or less, what are you most excited about for this trial, and what are you most apprehensive about?
A: I am most excited about the opportunity to see how good these players are compared to me – I’ve been waiting for this comparison for my whole life, and I’m almost in a state of disbelief now that it’s so close – in a good way of course. And I'm most apprehensive, I guess, about not being good enough and embarrassing myself or losing confidence, but that bit is in the back of my mind, where hopefully it will stay.
Q: Now, I know the kids have some questions, so let me turn it over to them, but first, I have one more of my own. How’s your Italian?
A: Well, at least as bad as my English [chuckles]…so, awful, unfortunately [laughs]. I have some time on the plane ride to memorize a couple key phrases, so I’m going to try to at least know something by the time I get to Italy.
Q: When do you leave for Italy?
A: Saturday, January 18th, 2014.
Q: I know that Coach Joe [Balsamo, FA Euro club president and founder] is from Italy, are you from Italy too?
A: [Chuckling] No, I was actually born in America. My Mom was born in Ireland though, so that’s not too far from Italy – at least compared to the distance between Italy and the United States.
Q: What position do you play?
A: Well, I’m most comfortable in midfield, but I’ll play anything they want me to play really.
Q: Are you a righty or a lefty?
A: I’m a righty.
Q: Did you always want to be a professional soccer player?
A: Well, when I was about 8 or 9 – so your age really – I realized that soccer was what I was best at, and having something that I felt comfortable being a part of, and that I could excel in, really made me fall in love with the game. So from that point forward I was dreaming of making it pro, yeah.
Q: Coach Adam always tells us that you have a great first touch – is that true? And how did you get so good at it?
A: I guess we will find out how good it really is soon [laughs]. In all seriousness though, I realized I could improve my first touch when I was in my first year of college, so I went to the racquetball courts every day and kicked the ball off the wall to myself for hours, and then I would ask my friends to just pass with me as much as I could to improve my touch. I think it paid off – it’s just something that you have to keep working at.
Q: I want to play professionally some day too! What advice can you give me so that I can try to do that and achieve my dreams?
A: I would say figure out what you’re good at and what you can improve upon, and just work at both as much as you can. If you really want to be a professional, remember, you’ll have to give some other things up, and make some sacrifices to maximize the time you can commit to training. Other than that, it’s so important to be playing and training consistently, and listening to your coaches at practice and games – and taking your time with them seriously. And even though it sounds cliché, don't give up on your dream because if you put in the time, you will see improvements, at the very least, and quite possibly even end up on trial in Italy [chuckles].
Q: How did you get a chance to go on trial in Italy?
A: Well, there was really more that went into it than I even know. I’m just so grateful to Joe Balsamo, Angelo Orlando, their friends in Italy, and the whole FA Euro staff for believing in me, working so hard for me, and ultimately providing me with this opportunity. Of course, I also have to mention the PDL guys I played with last season – it was our first year in the league, and they were an absolutely fantastic, and supremely talented group of guys, who I’m proud and lucky to have gotten to play with. Whether I’m back with FA Euro for this coming PDL season or out here in Italy, I wish the best to the team, and hope to see them all soon! And lastly, it’s you guys, the kids. You are the next generation, and I hope that maybe I can open a door for one of you to come to Carpi in the future, or even just to be an example of how hard work, dedication, and love for the game can turn into something amazing. Remember, even with all those attributes you aren’t guaranteed anything, but trust me when I say that without even one of them, you have no shot. So work hard every day, push hard to succeed, and fight the uphill battles – in the end, having done those things is my answer to your question.
Nadaner leaves for his two-week trial on Saturday, January 18th. We wish him the best of luck while he’s over there (in bocca a lupo – for your practice on the plane). Forza!