Hamburg

After months of anticipation, I finally made it up to Hamburg. For the past week or so I have been trialing with SV Drochtersen. Marcus, an American on the team, has been super cool and is letting me stay at his flat and showing me the ropes. I think Marcus went through a similar situation to get where he's at and understands my cause. Anyhow, I hope to finish out the remaining few months of the season with the club. Stay tuned.

Archived Quote - A True Champion

A true champion, face to face with his darkest hour, would do whatever it takes to rise above. A man fights the fight, and then fights some more. Because surrender is death, and death is for pussies.

Kenny Powers, East Bound and Down

Interview

Here is an interview I did that was just posted on Pro Soccer Weekly:

PSW: Kyle, tell us a little bit about yourself, specifically how you got interested in playing soccer.
KK: I grew up around guys who loved the game. Every time I would see them we would play. Everyday, day or night, this is how we spent our time. That is how it all started for me.

PSW: What are your strengths are as a player and what position do you typically play?
KK: I take great pride in my technical, tactical, and organizational abilities. I enjoy putting in the extra time to work on things that I can improve. My desire to improve and my love for the game has allowed me to pursue the opportunities I'm exploring now.

I studied Mechanical Engineering at university and I think these skills apply well in both areas of my life. Also, I am fortunate to come from an athletic family - my father threw the javelin after college, my mother played softball professionally, and my sister played and coached volleyball in college.

My coach at UC-Santa Barbara, Tim Vom Steeg, taught me to love playing centerback. An intelligent centerback can be the quarterback of a team: starting the attack, controlling the pace of the game, organizing his teammates, and being the leader on the field.

PSW: How did you find yourself in Europe?
KK: I found some people that believe in me, one of them being my agent Marc Rohrer, and we have been working towards a common goal ever since.

But had I never met Marc, I would have simply bought a ticket over here and improvised along the way. Knocking on the doors of clubs with my shoes in hand and asking to play. If you want something bad enough, then go for it. This is something my parents instilled in me.

PSW: Can you talk about living in Europe and any culture shocks you've experienced?
KK: I have grown immensely from living in Europe for the past several months. Being over here forces an individual to be much more responsible for his actions. You have to keep asking yourself questions to keep yourself in check. For example: does the train ticket you just bought need to be validated? If not, that's a $60 fine and the German authorities don't accept the excuses "I forgot" or "the machine is broken" (I know from experience). It's sort of like that scene from The Last Crusade where Indiana Jones throws the German guy out of the blimp and then says to the other passengers "No ticket."

No culture shocks yet, but lately I have been craving some good Mexican food.

PSW: Can you mention some of your experiences while on trial in Europe?
KK: One of the very first things I noticed here, after coming from the college game and PDL, was the speed of play. Every player here, even down to the fifth division, is technically sound, understands tactics, and tackles well. There is a big emphasis on winning your individual "sweikampf" or 50/50 battle. So much so that it's a stat used for game and player analysis.

To talk a little about the places I've been, I was first evaluated at FC Lucerne in Switzerland, by former Swiss national coach, Rolf Fringer. I remember his office was very humble and the floor was lined with artificial grass. Mr. Fringer told me that I possess all the tools to be a great centerback and that he expected to see me in the top division within the next 1-2 years. Hearing this from him helped me to believe what Marc had already been telling me.

One of the more interesting experiences came when I was with FC Rot-Weiß Erfurt. On my first day they did lactic acid threshold test training. Blood samples were drawn from our ears and our heart rates were measured at different stages of difficulty in a run. Coming from the States, that was a first for me.

PSW: You have had a lot of success going back to the Santa Clara Sporting Ruckus (US Club Soccer National Champions in 2003), the University of California – Santa Barbara (NCAA National Champions in 2006), and the Ventura County Fusion (PDL National Champions 2009). What have you learned from all of this early success?
KK: That it comes at the most unexpected hours; and sometimes not at all. I have learned to find my enjoyment in the process, but I understand results are what a professional plays for.

PSW: What was it like playing for the Ventura County Fusion in the USL PDL last season?
KK: The Ventura County Fusion was the most professional team I had been with up to that point. Our uniforms were clean and laid out before training, our sessions were very sharp and organized, everyone from the general manager down to the equipment manager was very professional. Also, the team was composed of many guys who had experience in the MLS, A-League (USL 1), and even international level and were looking to return - Brennan Tennelle, Ivan Becerra, Alfonso Motagalvan, Bryan Byrne, Adam Smarte, Henry Brauner, Anthony Hamilton, and Andrew Villalobos just to name a few.

UC-Santa Barbara was a big step forward from club soccer, and yet the Fusion were another level with the team and club structure in place.

PSW: What do you think it will take for soccer to become more popular within the world of American sports?
KK: I did a report on this for a class my freshman year at uni. What I believe it ultimately comes down to is that the sport needs more heroes, a soccer equivalent of a LeBron James that kids can grow up watching and say to themselves: why not me?

PSW: What do you feel is the best way for the U.S. to develop its young talent?
KK: Create a culture in which a love of the game is instilled in players. I got my love of the game from playing with my friends. What good is a young superstar if he doesn't enjoy playing and improving on his ability?

PSW: Do you feel that top young players should play college soccer even if it doesn’t allow them to begin their professional career at the same age as players in other countries typically start theirs?
KK: It depends on what that player wants to do in life. If all he has ever dreamed about was being a professional then who are we to stop him? However, if the player realizes that the average career does not go much past the age of 30 (unless maybe he is a keeper) and wants to have something to fall back on, then he or she should pursue a degree while playing in college.

PSW: What are your feelings about this quote from a recent interview that I conducted with Hugo Perez “college soccer has to play year-round, or at least have two seasons. The current system pushes the players back four years in their development in soccer because they only play for four months. Everyone else in the world is already ahead four years.”?
KK: Interesting statement. I am all in favor of extending the college season, but every college program is unique to the players and staff that make it. Yes, the college season may only last for four months, but do the players not play outside of those four months? Does the staff not continue to teach the team in pre and post season? I believe that if players and coaches stop working to improve because the four month college season has ended, then that is a completely different problem.

PSW: Given your experiences in Europe, what do you think about so many of the top young U.S. players going to European clubs and how do you think this affects their development?
KK: Again, it completely depends on the individual. If the player can derive all of his enjoyment from playing and developing his game, then great. But one of the biggest obstacles with going oversees is how a player reacts to the culture. If a player is not comfortable, his game will suffer. It's been said, that if you bring a Brazilian player to Germany you will have to bring three additional Brazilians just so the first will play well.

PSW: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment thus far in soccer?
KK: That I am still able to play and pursue my childhood dream of playing soccer professionally. In the first five minutes of my senior year at UC-Santa Barbara, I got stuck in an awkward challenge and came out with a broken fibula. Sitting back for 3 months and watching your senior year pass by without you does something to an individual. I feel very fortunate every time I am able to step on the pitch.

PSW: Going forward, what would you like to achieve in soccer?
KK: The same things that every other kid wants to do: play for my country, play for Barcelona, and play pick-up with Zizou. Really though, I hope to play at the highest level possible for as long as my career allows.

I have enjoyed every minute of this journey. Although I am happy, I'm not satisfied. There's a quotation from John Wooden that I like: "Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming." I think that's what it's all about -- constantly striving to reach your highest potential.

Archived Quote - Graffiti

Graffiti… I don’t like graffiti, unless it teaches me something, you know? Like “Oh, that’s how Alex feels about Maria. I wouldn’t have known if I had not walked by there, thank you.” Graffiti’s the most passionate literature there is, you know? It’s always like “Bush sucks!”, “U2 Rocks!”. I want to make indifferent graffiti. “Toy Story 2 was okay!” “I like Sheryl as a friend, but I’m not sure about taking things further”, “This is a bridge!”, “That guy’s right!”

-Demetri Martin

[art by Pobel, found in London]

Munich - Part 2

So I found myself back in Munich in order to apply for an extension on my visa. After a few nights of troubled sleep (I had a recurring dream that I was getting deported by guys with pointy helmets), I was able to extend my visa until November.

Also, I watched Bayern vs Hamburg in the Allianz Arena (see previous post) - an unreal experience. Ribery and Robben are untouchable in the Bundesliga.

Archived Quote - Brick Walls

"The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want something badly enough."

- Randy Pausch, The Last Lecture

A bit of Social Commentary...

Note to the reader: sweeping generalizations to follow...

American television and movies permeate all of Europe. Perhaps this is our greatest export because of its omnipresence and ability to be shared instantly. Although in Germany both US tv and film are dubbed. Not subtitled (like in most countries), but dubbed. I believe this is an attempt to preserve their language.

You see, Germans are a very proud people - of their language, of their work^, of their organization and efficiency^^, and of their people. However, this pride is restrained. It will come out in conversation with someone, but you'll never find a person saying the words: "I am proud to be a German".* Perhaps, this reserve is a result of not wanting pride to be perceived as nationalism. You can see how that might be frowned upon.

Americans, on the other hand, are perceived as optimists; sometimes to the point of unrealistic optimism**. I think this is reflective of the American dream: with enough hard work and persistence we (Americans) can achieve our dreams. The German mentality, though, is that with enough hard work and persistence you can have a decent life. There is a difference.

American social mentality can find its roots in the vast open space of the frontier. You find a place you like, you claim it, and if you can see the smoke coming out of your neighbor's chimney then you are too close. But eventually, that frontier gets lonely and you seek companionship from neighbors. Europe, on the other hand, has had to deal with the opposite problem: overcrowding. From this, you develop a respect of a neighbor's privacy. Even to the point where there is little to no interaction between people. A friendly smile on the street is often met with a stone cold glance. And the collective camaraderie between citizens does not exist. It is rare to see someone open the door for another, and you really won't get help from a stranger unless you ask them directly or are unconscious and losing blood on the street.

But, hey, who needs friendly neighbors when the tap water is clean enough to drink? Of course, Europeans prefer carbonated mineral water to 'still'.


^The norm in America is to go to a 4 year college and try to figure out what you want to do. The college student is given 2 years until he must declare an emphasis to study. In Germany, though, students are more likely to go to 3 year vocational schools (2 years of study + 1 year of apprenticeship) after high school. This makes their education much more specified and focused. I have found, that Germans take more pride in their work and tend to happier with their job. Of course, this is not always the case but how many times have you heard of someone in the US taking a job just 'to pay the bills' instead of because it is what they really want to do. Also, I think there is a tendency in America to connect self-worth with one's profession (think of the all important cocktail question: 'So what do you do?'). That relationship doesn't really hold over here.

^^When checking out at a grocery store, a customer must QUICKLY bag his own groceries or his items WILL fall on the ground. Then he must pay quickly (with cash because no one uses checks or credit cards) or people behind him will become irritated (so, small talk is not appreciated). Even on the streets or at the train station during the weekend, people seem like they are in a hurry. I am still trying to figure out what they are in a rush to.

*Conversely, how many times have you seen an ad on TV in the States with a guy saying, "I am proud to be an American"?

**I have been told that the stereotypical American appears as a 'big, happy dog' - he sees what he wants and he chases it. However, Germans do love dogs.

Karneval

Germans celebrate the beginning of Lent with a 5 day holiday called Karneval with ground zero of the festivities in Cologne and Düsseldorf. It's a bit of mish-mash of Halloween, Fat Tuesday, and Vegas with a nice parade to top it off. From Halloween, comes costumes and candy; from Fat Tuesday comes the pre-Lent partying in the streets; and from Vegas comes the total disregard for morals (many marriages are unofficially annulled for the celebrations) - "What happens in Cologne..."

Anyhow, here are some of the politically charged floats from the Karneval Parade:

A Bit of Fortuna

I have been staying in Düsseldorf for the past few weeks, but I am told that my next opportunity is in the Hamburg area. However, I have to wait until the snow lightens up a bit before I head north. It has been the worst winter in 50 years and most games in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th divisions have been canceled for the past 3 weeks (the 1st and 2nd league teams usually have the money for a covered stadium or heated pitch).

In the meantime, I have been training with the second team of Fortuna Düsseldorf. The relationship between a testspieler, or test player, and the team he is trialing with is a funny one. The better he plays, the friendly the guys on the team are. I always know I have had a good day when my teammates attempt to speak English with me.

Suck it, American Airlines and Vayama

S o February 10th passed just as any other day. I mean, why shouldn't it? The date had some meaning for me because this is when I booked my return flight to the States. However I figured out a few weeks ago that I would need to extend the ticket. When I contacted Vayama, the travel agency I used, they simply pointed me to the fine print: "Once purchased, tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE and NON-RE-ROUTABLE, and are completely NON-CHANGEABLE after the first travel date has passed." Pretty sweet, right?

So I called American Airlines to see if everyone was drunk there too. Of course they were willing to oblige, after I paid a small fee for the change. How much, you ask? Well a measly $4000. Now, I consider myself a reasonable guy and I was prepared to take a hit - $100, 200, even 300 - to make the change. But 4000 dollars? Really?

Vayama and American Airlines just lost a customer and a passenger. And Flight AA71 is going home without me.

You're..Oh...

You know, everyone wants to experience the european fairytale -- travel through countries by train, stay in two star hostels, and see buildings older than their country. But, let me just say, there is nothing glamorous about washing your socks and underpants in the sink and drying them on the radiator.

Archived Faith Quote

"When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: Either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly."

- Edward Teller

[art by Broken Crow, Surrounded by Giants]

Ingolstadt ('Ing-goal-sh-tat')

I came to Munich expecting to stay only one night, but after the meeting it was decided it would be best for me to remain in the area (Bavaria) while playing opportunities in the vicinity were explored. The trial that came about was with Ingolstadt (located an hour north of Munich) who are currently at the top of the 3rd Bundesliga. Since my American résumé carries little weight in Germany I was scheduled to first train with the reserve team (who play in the 5th division).

Based on my performance in 2 trainings with the Ingolstadt reserves the I received a very good assessment from the coaching staff. The trainer felt that I could "absolutely" play in the third division and even do well in the 2nd Bundesliga, but alas, Ingolstadt is not a match at this time (keep in mind that they are at the top of the table in the 3rd division so the coach is very hesitant to make any changes). Furthermore, the coach said he was willing to recommend me to other 3rd division clubs (a good sign).

Of course, I would love to be contracted with a club and settled down by now. However, it is encouraging to know that I am building a good record in Germany from my trials with Lucerne, Erfurt, and now Ingolstadt. My game feels stronger with every new trial and I know that I am coming closer to realizing my dream.

Archived Nike quote

All your life you are told the things you cannot do. All your life they will say you're not good enough or strong enough or talented enough; they will say you're the wrong height or the wrong weight or the wrong type to play this or be this or achieve this. THEY WILL TELL YOU NO, a thousand times no, until all the no's become meaningless. All your life they will tell you no, quite firmly and very quickly.
AND YOU WILL TELL THEM YES.

-Nike ad

Müchen ('Moo-chen')

(Above: The Allianz Arena is home to Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich. It lights up red when Bayern play, blue when 1860 play, and white when the national team play.)

After the week with Erfurt, I was called in to talk with the manager. There he told me that the coach liked me, but they were only looking for two strikers right now. However, he said that there is still a possibility that I could be brought on depending on a pending transfer/trade. Although I believe that beginning in the 3rd division is a good opportunity, I am not holding my breath and need to look at other options as I wait to hear back from Erfurt.

Therefore, I am off to Munich (or Müchen for my German audience) for a business dinner with a man who has been setting up trials for me to figure out where to go from here.

Archived Quote - A Life of Happiness

"There comes a time when a man has to ask himself whether he wants a life of happiness or a life of meaning - they’re two very different paths. To be truly happy a man must live absolutely in the present, no thought of what has gone before and no thought of what lies ahead. But for a life of meaning, a man is condemned to wallow in the past and obsess about the future."

-Daniel Linderman

[art: "A good man is hard to find." by Broken Crow]

Erfurt - Day 3 and 4

Day 3
Morning run in the cold (-10C).
Team Breakfast.
5v5 on the turf in the afternoon.
Team Lunch and Team Nap at the Stadium.
Run in the forest - We were split into groups and the guy running at the front of my group thought it would be clever to knock snow off the branches above when he ran by. It was pretty funny, but the snow that fell on us stayed in our hair. By the end of the run one of the guy's eyebrows were frozen white. A couple of the guys noticed and started acting out the scene from Dumb and Dumber when Harry and Lloyd arrive in Aspen on a scooter.



Day 4
Today was a lighter day with only 5v5 on the indoor turf. I banged home another goal at the start and my team ended up going undefeated for the day.

Looking back over the week, it was probably the most enjoyable week I have had since I have been over here. Despite the physical demand, (and perhaps because of it) I found it to be very rewarding and produced some of my best performances in Germany. I have continued to improve and enjoy myself more with each new team and trial. I know there is still much work to be done, but after this week I feel that I am on the right track.