YA EXCLUSIVE: PUTTING ON THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE Rich Fidler - Thursday, February 23, 2006
Heath Pearce recently headed back to Denmark to rejoin FC Nordsjælland following a two month camp with the US National Team in Carson, California and he couldn't have asked for more.
"Coming out of the camp now with four caps, I feel great," the former Portland star told YA. "The overall experience was wonderful."
Pearce was the youngest player in camp aside from DC United teenage phenom Freddy Adu, and he felt the experience was one to grow upon for the future.
He credits many of the MLS veterans for helping him feel comfortable around a close knit group of players, but two in particular he was especially grateful towards; Jimmy Conrad and Eddie Pope.
"Jimmy is not a national team veteran, he is a veteran of the game. He gave me a lot of insight as to how to play the American style and kept me sharp."
Although a quiet person off the field, it was Real Salt Lake defender Pope who was the closest to Pearce during his time in California.
"Eddie was more of a friend and mentor on a personal level. He was very warming and nice, and shared his experiences with me. And for me, that was priceless."
When Pearce left the University of Portland after his third season, he immediately knew his passion lied in playing soccer abroad - and yet pulling on the Red, White and Blue in front of his countrymen proved a fulfilling experience.
"When you put on a US jersey, anytime, you should never take it for granted," said the new 'Nat with his heart on his sleeve. "We have been blessed to be born and raised in a country with so much passion and love for sport."
"When I got to stand on the field with the other Americans in front of American fans, it made me really realize what I have been given and who I am."
Now that he's been back in the States and played with some of those training for the upcoming MLS season, he has a respect for the domestic league.
"The level of the MLS guys is what I expected," he explained. "They definitely prove the case that the MLS level is improving every year and that they can run with the best of them."
The American game is certainly different than the Danish Superligaen, and the kid who grew up in Northern California noticed that immediately.
"[MLS players] are a different type of player then what I generally face here in Europe. More athletic, that's for sure. The Danish game is much more direct, where as the MLS style is more of a run-and-gun athletic style."
Although Pearce felt he impressed Arena with his performance, the ever reluctant former DC United skipper wouldn't tip his hand to the left-footed defender about his immediate future.
"Bruce is very careful with his words, but he said that I should be satisfied with myself because I am still young, doing well and that they are satisfied with me."
Whether Pearce will be traveling to Germany this summer as a spectator with his family or as a player, well, that is something he cannot judge for himself.
"I think that I have done a good job of making my presence known in camp. I think I only helped my chances in the end."
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