Michael D'Agostino Q & A Interview

Canadian Michael D'Agostino is earning first team minutes, taking defenders on, and making plays with Cheltenham Town F.C. The Vancouver, British Columbia native has been causing havoc down the right side with his pace and attacking ability this season.

Upon completion of a successful collegiate career at the University of Kentucky, Michael D'Agostino headed overseas for trials in Italy with Reggina Calcio and F.C. Messina and in England with Leeds United F.C. and Blackpool F.C. He signed with Blackpool F.C. in September of 2007.

Blackpool initially loaned D’Agostino to Cheltenham Town F.C. for one month in late November. After another month loan for January, Blackpool agreed to loan the right-winger through the end of the season.

Since his debut at the end of December, the Robins have won five out of nine and look poised for a competitive finish to their Coca-Cola League One season. Recently, he spoke with Soccer City FC from Cheltenham.

- You played at the University of Kentucky with fellow British Columbian players, Nathan Li, Riley O’Neil, and Jarret Christie. How big of a factor was this in your decision to attend UK?

A: I think the fact that Riley, Nate, and Jarret were there and enjoying their soccer helped sway my decision to attend UK. I had always looked up to them as players and respected them a lot so when they explained to me that UK soccer was a program that had quality players and high ambitions in the league I took that to heart and trusted their opinion.

For me it was always about the soccer and trying to get myself in a position where I could improve my game to a point where I could jump myself into the professional game without feeling out of place. I realize now how difficult it is to get yourself playing professional soccer no matter at what level, and I think playing at UK definitely helped me a lot when it came to that.

On the other side of it it’s always good to have players that you already know to help the transition of moving to a new team, and they definitely helped me a tremendous amount. Knowing that they were there enjoying life, on and off the pitch, made me feel a bit more comfortable in choosing UK, and once I arrived they helped me settle in quite a bit, making me feel at home.

Photo Credit: University of Kentucky Athletics

- Your first collegiate goal came against in-state rival Louisville in 2004. Can you elaborate on the game winner?

A: Firstly I can tell you it was a great feeling to score the winning goal that night. I didn’t realize just how big the rivalry between the Cardinals and us was and soon found out when we arrived in Louisville. The game meant a lot to a lot of people, even if they didn’t support or particularly like soccer, just the fact that is was UK vs. U of L meant it was important.

I don’t remember everything about it but I remember that I drifted in field from the left side of the pitch. I think it was our right-winger or right back that passed me the ball where I was about 10-15 yards outside the penalty area. Surprisingly I found myself in pocket of space and was able to turn. I simply took a touch and hit it from about 25 yards out or so, and to my delight it flew into the top left corner.

- You played every position but goalkeeper and centre back at the youth and collegiate levels. How has this versatility aided in your professional career?

A: When you are able to play in different positions it makes you more valuable to the team, no matter what team that is. I think it has definitely helped me in the long run. I don’t think playing in different positions can really hurt you in any way; yet only help you to understand the game more. It’s definitely helped me to see the game from different perspectives on the pitch.

As I started off in youth mostly playing up front as a striker I have been able to develop what I would say a hunger for scoring goals and getting in and around the goal. Slowly I drifted myself into a more advanced midfield/withdrawn striker role, which has helped me vastly in terms of finding pockets of space where it is difficult to do so.

I have played a good amount in the centre of midfield, which has been very beneficial to me when it comes to my passing game, and more importantly aiding in my vision on the pitch. When playing central midfield it’s vital that you have good vision and can think quickly to be able to get the ball out of tight positions and into places where you can hurt your opponent. I have also played a good amount of fullback, most recently for the U-20 national team.

Although I never thought I would ever become, or even play a game as a defender, I found it gave me valuable knowledge of the game. It helped me see the pitch in a different way that I hadn’t seen it before. It also greatly helped me in terms of my defending and also in my positioning, which is very important when playing at the back.

Lastly, playing as a winger, which I feel is my strongest and most natural position has helped me develop my dribbling, and crossing game. Since I am usually seen as a player who loves to get in behind defenders and get crosses and shots in, playing on the wings has allowed me to do that. I feel most comfortable out there and love to get the ball to my feet and take on fullbacks.

- In 2006, you won the PCSL Championship as a member of the Whitecaps FC Reserves. How satisfying was it to return home and win a championship?

A: Winning any championship no matter which one it is, is always satisfying. It was a good feeling to be able to come home and play with players you grew up with, and be able to enjoy the whole experience and win some games. Winning the championship was a bonus really although it was always our goal.

- Canada hosted the 2007 Under-20 World Cup. What emotions did you feel as you entered in the 25th minute versus Austria on July 5th in Edmonton?

A: Firstly I was shocked. I was going into the game at such an early stage. A substitution at that point in any game is always very unexpected, unless there is an injury. Excitement would be the first one I think; I was definitely very excited to be getting the chance to represent my country in front of the whole country at a WYC.

Nervousness was next. As to be expected you have to be a little bit nervous when being subbed in that early, in front of over 30,000 people in the stadium, not to mention on national television. But being a little bit nervous always helps you a little and once you get on the pitch disappears almost right away.

Once I got myself into the flow of the game all emotions were off really. Concentrating on the game was really the only thing that was going through my mind at that point.

- Overall what did you take away from the U-20 World Cup experience?

A: Although in a wide perspective the WYC was somewhat of a bad experience, with us knocked out in the first stage of the tournament, there are always positives that come out of it. Just the fact that you can be proud enough to say you took part in a FIFA World Cup is something you should be very proud of.

It was a good experience in the fact that you get to see just how developed a lot of the players are in the other countries of the world gives you a little bit of perspective and shows you what it takes to make it on a professional level. I think most evidently just the fact that you are training and playing at an international level preparing for the WYC helps you gain valuable match experience. More basic, you also begin to become somewhat of a better player due to the fact that you are training with the best players of your age group in the country day in day out. Every day of training can really help you to improve as a player.

On the other side of it the experience that came out of the build up to the World Cup, all the trips prior to the actual tournament were priceless. Building relationships and bonding with a lot of the players is a good experience in itself. When you’re in the same hotel with 20 other players for months on and off, and prior to that throughout the years of youth national trips, you start to build up good friendships that extend past the stages of the actual tournament.

- After the tournament, you left Canada and went on trial with several teams in Italy and England. You signed with Blackpool F.C. in September 2007. Currently, you find yourself on loan with Cheltenham Town F.C. through January 2008 [*since extended]. What has competing at Cheltenham on a regular basis meant to you?

A: So far I have very much enjoyed my time at Cheltenham and have just recently extended my loan until the end of the season. Since arriving here I felt good straight away. Being in contention for a starting position in a very good league at a good club has really helped me forget the frustrations of being “so close” to being involved at Blackpool.

Things change dramatically when you’re playing. Your morale is lifted and your confidence grows. Since playing week in week out for Cheltenham I have gained valuable experience that can only come from playing first team football in a very good league. You start to realize that you have to play well every week to be able to keep your place in the team, as there are always players behind you waiting to get in.

Playing for Cheltenham has also taught me a lot about the game, especially the fast pace of the game that is played here in England. Everything is at 100 miles in hour in a way and you have to be able to match your opponents’ energy, be aggressive, while still maintaining the highest quality you can on the pitch. The more I play, the more I feel I am gaining this experience, knowing it will help me reach my goals of playing at the highest level some time in the future.

- You certainly are known for your pace and ability to get behind people. In your home debut versus Port Vale on January 2, you were consistently attacking the left side of the defense. How confident were you that evening?

A: Confidence can be very important in my mind. You have to believe in your own ability or else I feel you will play into your opponents’ hands. When you’re playing well, and in my case getting in behind defenders, your confidence is always steadily increasing. The more success you get doing what you’re meant to be doing the better you start to play. The crowd also plays a big part in confidence. Although when your playing the crowd is mostly zoned out, you can still feel the support of them behind you when you do something well.

In my case I absolutely love the feeling of going by a defender and getting a cross in or getting a shot off. That is my job on the pitch and I’m lucky that it allows me to be creative and use my abilities such as my pace and skill. Against Port Vale it was no different and throughout the game I could feel my confidence growing as I continued to do that job on their defenders.

Don't miss Michael D'Agostino's second interview with Soccer City FC.