Exclusive Pro Soccer Weekly Interview
Flavio Ferri
Pro Soccer Weekly is proud to present an exclusive interview with Flavio Ferri, Vice President for the USL PDL franchise the Long Island Rough Riders. Flavio is a former player with the Rough Riders and had a very successful career in the USL. In recent years he was worked with the President of the Rough Riders, Peter Zaratin, to provide a solid foundation for the franchise in the PDL.
The Long Island Rough Riders have been one of the best franchises in the United States for many years. Prior to MLS they were one of the top teams in the then USISL and A-League. They developed many top players who went on to play in MLS and for the U.S. National Team. Flavio and Peter have worked to continue that tradition with recent examples being current Leeds United player Mike Grella and current Rough Rider and former New England Revolution player Gary Flood.
PSW: Flavio, what was it like for you to come to this country when you were younger and experience the soccer culture in this country as compared to Brazil where you were born?
FF: My family moved to the States in the late 70s. The only soccer culture was in certain ethnic pockets. It was very different than Brazil where soccer and culture are permanently intertwined. There has certainly been a change in this county. I was at a sports bar the other day, and there were soccer highlights on SportsCenter!
PSW: What was it like playing in the USL and how do you feel it compares to the league today?
FF: I had a great experience playing in the USL. I had the opportunity to travel and play at a high level. I believe the overall level of soccer has improved in the U.S. I feel the next evolution for USL franchises is coming in the way of running their clubs more like a business.
PSW: Why did you decide to retire from your career as a player at a relatively young age?
FF: I tore my ACL in my early 20s. I made a full clinical recovery. However, I felt like I never fully recovered my explosiveness. I also started becoming more interested in the business side of the sport. The combination of the two led me to decide to retire.
PSW: What was the greatest moment of your playing career?
FF: I would have to say being a part of the U.S. U-23 National Team. Making it to the National Team is the highest level you can achieve in your respective county. I have always been proud to have been one of the top players in the Country at that point in time.
PSW: Did you have any opportunities to play in a foreign country? Do you have any regrets about not having taken advantage of that opportunity?
FF: I actually played on the Pumas (Mexican 1st division) reserve team for 6 months. Unfortunately, I developed a sports hernia while down there. They offered me a 6 month extension, but I decided to return to the States. I also had a brief stint with a 2nd division team in Brazil (America). My one regret is not staying in Mexico. I could have stuck it out for another 6 months.
PSW: What do you feel has been the single biggest mistake made in American soccer over the last 20 years and why?
FF: I believe the biggest mistake is the lack of emphasis on creativity in the American game. The U.S. has produced some of the best athletes in the world. However, other than goalkeepers, no American players have ever stood out at the highest levels of play. I believe this is because American players aren’t given the freedom to develop like Brazilians, Argentinians, etc.
PSW: What do you think needs to happen in order for the U.S. to be a force in international soccer and for MLS and the USL to achieve sustainable success to the point that its teams can compete with the best in the world?
FF: Unfortunately, this has to do as much with money as it does with soccer. Once clubs are able to thrive as businesses, they will have the resources to develop and bring in top level players. That is why the Man Uniteds, AC Milans, Real Madrids, etc. are perennial powers.
PSW: Do you think that MLS is expanding the league too quickly and do you think its possible that the same problems that this caused for the NASL will reoccur with MLS?
FF: I don’t think that the MLS is making the same mistakes as the NASL. The leagues have completely different business models. I the MLS has expanded at a calculated rate and a country of our size should be able to field 20 division 1 teams.
PSW: What are your thoughts about the current status of the Second Division within U.S. Soccer and what do you think the USL and NASL should do going forward?
FF: Frankly, I think it is a mess. It does not bode well for the U.S. not to have a clear cut division 2 league. I also think that at some point, MLS and division 2 (USL or NPSL) need to come together for the betterment of soccer in this country.
PSW: Who do you think deserves the most credit for the successes that have been achieved in American soccer and why?
FF: I think that the credit should be spread evenly throughout everyone who is passionate about the game. This includes everyone from the local soccer mom to the president of the USSF.
PSW: What do you think it will take for soccer to become more popular within the world of American sports?
FF: I think the U.S. needs a true international superstar player. I’m talking about someone in the class of Zidane, Messi, Kaka, etc. The U.S. is used to having some of the top athletes in the world. I think having one of the top soccer players in the world would significantly raise interest in the sport.
PSW: What do you feel is the best way for the U.S to develop its young talent? How does the USL PDL factor into the development of young American players?
FF: I think there is no substitute for playing. In most countries, kids are playing everyday (both organized and pick-up games). In the U.S., high level youth players are training 2 times per week at best. There are so many distractions for kids. I think other countries develop high level players simply because they play more. The PDL serves as a bridge between Collegiate and Professional soccer. Most U.S. professional players have some PDL experience.
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?
FF: That is the million dollar question that more and more players will be asking themselves. I can’t say either option is correct or incorrect. I see the value of a college education. Unfortunately, in most countries, college age players are already playing professionally. If American players attempt to try out abroad after graduating college, they are at a major disadvantage.
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.”?
FF: I agree 100% with Hugo’s quote. However, I don’t think that it will ever change due to NCAA rules and regulations.
PSW: What do you think about so many young U.S. players going to European clubs and how do you think this affects their development? What is the overall impact upon U.S. Soccer in a positive or negative way?
FF: I believe this is a positive for U.S. Soccer. Europe and South America have historically developed the top players in the world. The more the American player is exposed to their development processes, the better.
PSW: What are your current responsibilities as Vice President and General Manger with the Long Island Rough Riders?
FF: I oversee the day to day operation of the organization. This includes the Men’s PDL team, the Women’s W-League team, two indoor sports facilities, a youth development program, and the camp business.
PSW: Where do you see the Rough Riders going as a franchise? Do you think the organization will continue to stay within the USL PDL or will it grow back into being one of the preeminent soccer clubs in the United States again?
FF: The PDL/W-League models are working well for us at this point. In the long term, we do aspire to potentially move up to division 2. It may be a few years until the professional landscape of U.S. Soccer gets situated.
PSW: What else would you like to achieve personally in soccer?
FF: I would like to be at the forefront of making soccer in this country a viable business. I would also like to see a World Cup Final with Brazil playing the U.S.
PSW: I like to end my interviews by borrowing from Four Four Two magazine and asking you to select your all-time starting XI of players that you played with and against, and why you selected them. You can also select players that you’ve managed and a few substitutes as well if you like.
FF:
GK Jorge Campos
Def Branco
Def Lothar Matthäus
Def Wilmer Cabrera
Def Frankie Hejduk
Mid Roberto Donadoni
Mid Carlos Valderrama
Mid Joe-Max Moore
Mid Danny Mueller
For Giovanni Savarese
For Roy Wegerle
~ David Harris, Pro Soccer Weekly
www.prosoccerweekly.com
