ASN: Josh Perez: ‘I Wish to Show I Can Play at Serie A Degree’

The 18-year-old California native grew to become solely the third American to look in Italy’s Serie A final week, becoming a member of Alexi Lalas and Michael Bradley. Perez spoke with ASN’s Brian Sciaretta in regards to the expertise.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
December 07, 2016
6:55 PM

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On November 28, Fiorentina head coach Paulo Sousa summoned Josh Perez to enter the match towards Inter Milan on the San Siro. It was fairly the skilled debut for the La Habra, Calif., native.

“The experience was basically a dream come true,” Perez advised American Soccer Now from Italy. “I’ve never, ever played in such an enormous or historic stadium like that. Then to play against Inter Milan is even better. To play at that Serie A level, it has its ups and downs, but to me, tactically and defensively, it is the hardest league you can play in. The level right now is difficult but at the same time it is what makes you a better player.”

Past Bradley and Lalas, a couple of others have come near seeing the sector in Serie A. Oguchi Onyewu made a Champions League look for AC Milan, and in 2007 U-20 ahead Gabriel Ferrari made his professional debut within the Copa Italia for Sampdoria however went as an unused substitute in all of his league match-ups.

Perez, simply 18-years-old, is proud to signify america in Italy and enjoys being a part of the subsequent generations of American in Europe.

“It’s basically setting an example,” Perez mentioned. “With Carter-Vickers, Pulisic, myself, and others getting opportunities at big European clubs and it is setting an example for others to see—that no matter [your age], with a little bit of trust from the first-team coach, we teenagers can play at a high level in the Bundesliga, Premier League, Serie A, or wherever it is.”

“Honestly, it’s an honor a blessing that I am one of a few Americans to have played in Serie A,” he added. “To really constantly play in Serie A and constantly do effectively is one thing I attempt for. I need to present People have one thing that the Europeans can use within the mentality and in the way in which we’re arduous employees.

“I need to present people who.”

Whereas Perez is proud to signify American soccer in Italy, he additionally comes from a proud soccer legacy in america the place his uncle, Hugo Perez, was one of many key gamers for the U.S. nationwide group that certified for the 1990 World Cup—its first look in 40 years.

Will Josh Perez observe in his uncle’s footsteps? It’s unclear. In 2015 he was a part of the U.S. U-17 World Cup group. Up to now in 2016 he has frolicked with the U.S. U-19 and U.S. U-20 groups, his most up-to-date worldwide look coming in September with theU-19s in Serbia.

Since that match, nonetheless, he has but to listen to from U.S. Soccer relating to any potential call-ups for youth groups or a congratulations on him breaking into the primary group at Fiorentina. In October, U.S U-20 head coach Tab Ramos named a robust roster for a match in England and Perez was not requested to participate.

Perez, in fact, can also be eligible to play for El Salvador and Hugo is at the moment an assistant coach for El Salvador’s nationwide group. At this level, Perez will not be ruling out any potential involvement with El Salvador and is solely concentrating on membership soccer.

“To be quite honest, I have no contact with either,” Perez mentioned. “They’re both up in the air. There is nothing I can really tell you about both. My main focus right now is here at Fiorentina and pursuing my goals here. If the opportunity comes [internationally], I’ll take it. As far as now, my mind is on Fiorentina.”

Regardless of the shortage of contact with U.S. Soccer, the chances of a change to El Salvador appear distant presently. El Salvador’s nationwide group has been in sharp decline the previous decade and Perez’s closest buddies are high gamers from the U.S. U-17 group, together with Pulisic and Brandon Vasquez. (“We were brothers and family from day one. The ties are never gone, never,” Perez mentioned of his connection to the usyouth program.)

No matter worldwide alternatives, Perez is in an important place proper now in Italy. Fiorentina is at the moment in eighth place in Serie A and inside hanging distance of a Europa League spot. There’s loads of alternative for him to make a distinction throughout this marketing campaign.

Perez stresses that he’s hardly content material with making one look. Rising up in a soccer household, he was taught to keep away from complacency.

“It’s exciting and it was definitely unexpected,” Perez mentioned of his transition to the primary group. “It was shocking to me. I did not truly assume I used to be being seen by the primary group. I used to be simply getting little hints right here and there however I wasn’t anticipating it. I used to be simply too centered on doing effectively with the Primavera. However the transition to the primary group has been going very well—it has been clean.

“My next goal is to start games and get to that point where I am a starting XI player. At that point I want to score goals the way I should and the way I need to. I want to prove to people that I can play at this level, Serie A.”

What do you consider this improvement? Do you see Perez as an eventual contributor to the U.S. senior group? Share your ideas beneath.