ASN: After USMNT camp & a powerful 2020 season, Perea near worldwide resolution

As a younger participant, Andres Perea was a stalwart with Colombian youth nationwide groups the place he featured closely on the 2017 U-17 World Cup and U-20 World Cup. However the Florida-born duel nationwide is now on the radar with U.S. Soccer after a powerful season in Orlando Metropolis following a switch from Atletico Nacional. ASN spoke with the potential U.S. U-23 defensive midfielder from Medellin about Orlando and his pending worldwide resolution.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
January 04, 2021
10:00 AM

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FOR ANDRES PEREA, 2020 was a groundbreaking 12 months the place he made many vital strides as a participant and have become a key contributor for a vastly improved Orlando Metropolis group that now has a brilliant future forward. However along with his success, he has each opened the door to vital alternatives and put himself right into a place the place he should make profession altering choices.

Andres Perea, who turned 20 in November, improved all through the season and by the tip was a key contributor for Orlando as a defensive midfielder. In December, Orlando exercised an choice the make his mortgage from Colombia’s Atletico Nacional a everlasting switch.

Perea completed the season 28 appearances and 11 begins for Orlando – however began eight instances in October and November because the membership was a finalist at MLS is Again, completed fourth within the East, and superior previous New York Metropolis within the playoffs earlier than bowing out to New England within the second spherical.

“I think we have a great group,” Perea stated from Medellin the place he’s visiting household. “I think when you move to a new team, you try to adapt yourself as quickly as possible. I finished this year very happy because I think that I fulfilled objectives that maybe I didn’t think I would meet as quickly as I did.”

“I think that we have the conditions to be champions,” he added. “This past year we were close, but things happen in football and it got away from us for reasons that are hard to understand. So, we are going to prepare for that, to be champions and I think everyone is aspiring for that dream.”

Born in Tampa, Perea moved to his mother and father native Colombia on the age of 5 the place he was raised. His father, Nixon Perea, was a former skilled participant in Colombia and was a youth coach of Atletico Nacional.

After taking part in with Atletico Nacional’s first group from 2017-2019 the place he was one of many high younger gamers within the league at his place, he was pursued by Orlando Metropolis the place he may play underneath Oscar Pareja – a former Colombian worldwide and somebody with success teaching in the US whereas working with younger gamers.

“I had thought that at some point because of my [U.S.] nationality that I could go to the United States. When this opportunity arose, I considered it a good option for me to continue growing both as a person and as a player,” Perea defined. “Oscar has helped me in all aspects of my life, both in sporting and personal… I am a young player and I have to improve, but I am very happy to be there working with them.”

Adjustment into MLS from the Colombian league additionally went comparatively easily for Perea, who was recruited by Orlando partly as a result of his bodily traits matched the model in MLS. As a 6’0” defensive midfielder, Perea has each the bodily energy and vary to play the place at a excessive degree.

When becoming into MLS, it was totally different than the Colombian league however one which match him effectively as a participant.

“It’s a little different,” Perea stated. “I think the Colombian league is not as physical or as fast as MLS. The Colombian league is more technique-based, Colombian players in general have very good technique, so that is the main difference between the two leagues. MLS has very good players with a lot of experience and is more intense, physical and strong than the Colombian league.”

“The league is very competitive, very physical,” he added on MLS. “It’s fast, it’s strong. I think with my characteristics I adapted quickly. I am a player who can run fast, I am strong, so I think that helped me get used to playing in this league. But it is difficult. Overall, it’s a very good league and it makes me happy to be playing in it and continue improving in this career that I have just started.”

Lately, nevertheless, Perea has been a staple of Colombian youth nationwide groups. He was a starter for his or her 2017 U-17 World Cup group (which defeated the US 3-1) after which began each sport for the U-20 group throughout its 2019 U-20 World Cup quarterfinal run.

To play for the US, Perea would wish to make a everlasting one-time swap with FIFA however he was free to take part within the camp with out taking part in within the pleasant in opposition to El Salvador. He accepted the call-up and left impressed whereas nonetheless acknowledging his conflicting feelings.

“With the Colombian national team, I experienced many wonderful moments,” Perea defined. “I grew a lot, I learned a lot. Sometimes opportunities arise when you least expect it. When I came to this league, I knew there was the possibility that if I had a good season, I might get a call-up to the U.S. national team… I still have a very strong feeling for the Colombian national team that nurtured me, that made me a part of their family, but it is also a nice opportunity what I experienced in December in the U.S. camp and I hope it can continue to come in the future, so we’ll see what happens.”

“Every player dreams some day of representing their country. I feel very privileged because I know that it is not easy to make it to a senior national team at age 20,” Perea continued. “They have opened the doors to me and other young players that are on the way with a lot of talent. I enjoyed it a lot…I found myself with very good people, good footballers, good professionals. I think I met some great people and I left very happy. The coaching staff, Gregg, they were great with me, so I’m grateful and I have to keep working, keep listening.”

Not misplaced on Perea is simply how good the US is changing into now with a proficient younger technology of gamers based mostly each domestically and overseas. He’s very aware of his Orlando teammates Chris Mueller who was the Man of the Match within the 6-0 win over El Salvador and Daryl Dike who’s a high younger American ahead and was additionally within the December camp earlier than departing with an damage.

Then overseas, Perea notes how younger American gamers at the moment are often a part of the Champions League with a few of the largest golf equipment on this planet.

“They are among the best young generation of players in the world,” Perea stated. “It is something good for the country, for the league, to see these young players are making such a big difference, like Christian. What McKennie is doing with Juventus is impressive, also Sergino with Barcelona. You have young players who are consolidating themselves in Europe, that is important for the process that is happening in the national team. I think in the World Cup in Qatar, 2026 and 2030, the U.S. will make a big impact because of the generation that is coming. They are young players that like to work, they are good physically and technically and they have everything to triumph.”

As for whether or not or not he’ll be part of this system, Perea could be very near arriving at a call. His place on the U.S. nationwide group is at present occupied by Tyler Adams though the depth on the place continues to be very untested with Johnny Cardoso, Owen Otasowie, and Jackson Yueill additionally within the combine. However when discussing Perea, Berhalter used phrases which might be just like Adams, stylistically in a lone-defensive midfield formation.

“Andres has really good range,” Berhalter stated. “He’s very athletic, can cover ground. He’s a very interesting young player in the league.”

However there may be additionally a pathway for Perea as a result of if he opts to change, he can be a powerful contender to be the U.S. U-23 beginning defensive midfielder for Olympic qualifying in 2021. Additional success in Orlando may additionally see him earn provides from Europe – and plenty of South People now view MLS as a spot to come back earlier than making a switch to Europe.

Understandably, Perea is stuffed with feelings.

“It is a difficult decision,” Perea stated. “I played such a long time with Colombia, there is a deep feeling there, but to play for the U.S. would also be very wonderful, so I have had to take my time to decide. The decision is not long away from being made, it’s actually very close.”

“It fills you with emotions for what it means in your career. It’s such a great part of football. All those emotions and opinions, all those things, it makes you take the necessary time to have a cool head to organize your thoughts to make the best decision.”