By Graig Carbino - ALBANY, NY (July 28, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- It has been a long road home for new DC United midfielder Danny Szetela.
Signed by Spanish club Racing Santander in August of 2007, the former Columbus Crew man spent a year and a half of his time across the Atlantic on loan to Serie B side Brescia. After two years in Europe he decided that his immediate professional future should continue back in Major League Soccer.
“A few injuries and off field issues helped make my decision to come back” said Szetela. “I am really excited to be back in the US, especially with DC, and grateful that coach Tom (Soehn) is giving me a chance.”
In 2004, he signed with Major League Soccer and was allocated to Columbus. Szetela and most MLS observers expected him to end up close to home with New York. Unfortunately for Szetela, MLS would not budge and the player distribution process sent him to the Crew.
He would go on to spend three years in Ohio, seeing a mixed bag of playing time while battling injuries and trying to keep his form up in limited action. In all, he had 34 appearances for the Crew over three seasons. The career break through for Szetela would come back as it had in the past, with a US jersey on.
The 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada was a global stage that Szetela did not let pass. He paired in the center of midfield with current National Team standout and German Bundesliga stalwart Michael Bradley. Szetela scored three goals in the tournament, two coming against his parents' native country of Poland.
Regardless of his limited MLS minutes, Szetela instantly became a hot commodity around Europe after the 2007 event with teams from England, Spain, Italy and Germany all rumored to be vying for his signature. In the end, the destination became Santander and Szetela was finally on his way to Europe, a dream move for a 20 year old.
Szetela's time in Spain didn't translate to La Liga appearances, and he was loaned to Serie B's Brescia at the end of January, 2008. With the loan extended through the '09 season, Szetela ended up playing 26 games for Brescia and scoring a goal on October 18th. Considering his youth National Team form, it's surprising that this was his first club goal.
With Santander opting against a new contract, Szetela was a free agent.
Asked if he had other options abroad following the conclusion of his time in Spain, Szetela said: “I told my agent that right now my decision was to go back to America where I can be closer to family and friends and play in MLS. I knew that I would be happier and that my confidence would go back up.”
Szetela insists that his time in Europe was not without merit and feels that after being away for two years he has matured as a player and become more of a professional.
“Playing with guys that have played on the top level in the World, especially for me as an American player, to see the differences between playing in Europe and MLS was important.”
Like many young players across the globe, playing time is something that comes at a premium. We have seen players across all countries and levels of soccer struggle for minutes during the early part of their careers. It’s the ones that seek out and find the right playing situation that eventually find their niche and move forward as professionals.
“My goal is to be on the field and win games for DC United and for the fans. I want to build up my confidence again and also to do the best I can for my club to win a championship.”
There is also the matter of a little international tournament next summer in South Africa that Szetela, like any player, would like to be in the queue for. To date he has three appearances for the full National Team and is hoping that his form with United will lead to another call up sooner rather than later.
“To get back to the National Team I have to perform at the club level. Hopefully I can get some minutes in DC, play well, and get called back into the US team again.”
It’s all about feeling good and being in the right environment for Danny Szetela. The 22 year old already has five years of professional experience under his belt and with his return to the United States is looking for a new beginning to jump start his promising career.
Graig Carbino covers American Abroad and writes a weekly column for USSoccerPlayers. Contact him at graiger11@yahoo.com
