From Texas to Craven Cottage: Emerson Hyndman could be America's next star
|
Version 0 of 1. As a kid all Emerson Hyndman wanted to do was get better at soccer. On Saturday mornings he’d sit in front of his TV and watch the Premier League, recording every touch of his favourite players. “I used to do a lot of individual analysis of a player when I was really young – like ages 8 through 12,” he says. For the grandson of Schellas Hyndman, a life in professional soccer seemed obvious. As he moved into his teens, his analysis was supplemented by practical experience. “When my grandfather was at FC Dallas he allowed me to train with his first team,” Hyndman says. “I think I was 13 at the time. Seeing all these guys who are 25 to 30 it was a little intimidating at first but I just tried my best and worked as hard as I could. Looking back now they didn’t really go as hard as they could.” His father was just as involved in his development. Like another young starlet, Real Madrid phenom Martin Ødegaard, Hyndman did individual training sessions to help him improve further. “I did that all the time from 6 years old onwards,” he says. “My father, I wouldn’t go as far to say he made me the player I am, but he was a big part of it for sure. He’d take me out whenever I really wanted to. I’d go ask him can we go out for a few hours and he’d always end up doing it. He taught me anything from looking behind my shoulder before I receive a pass to any sort of technique passing a ball. He was a big part of my success.” Eventually though, Hyndman’s potential dictated a move to a more challenging environment: in this case West London and Fulham. “I’ve been here for about three and a half years now,” he says. His accent is a curious mix of Texan with just a subtle hint of south England. There are small words and phrases he utters that remind you he has spent a good portion of his developing years in England’s capital. That transition, from Texas to London was not an easy one. “A lot of it was Skype and FaceTime, keeping in touch with my family,” he explains. Even now he admits there are still things he pines for. “There’s a lot more space in Texas, I’ll tell you that. My house is kind of in the county so we have a lot of land. That’s one of the things I miss the most because I’m in a little flat here in England. I’d say Mexican food too. I ate that since I was little. I’ve been to one [Chipotle] since I’ve been here but it didn’t taste the same as a Texas Chipotle.” Granted a space to develop away from his famous last name, the 19-year-old admits it wasn’t really something he thought about. “I was just focused on myself and trying to develop as quickly as possible. Now you know it hasn’t really changed. I’m just making sure I develop right at Fulham and for the US.” He still had his doubters though. In soccer, your nationality can sometimes dictate your perception and Hyndman has admitted in the past that maybe if he’d been Spanish or French he would have instantly garnered respect. “You have to really prove yourself because you wouldn’t say [soccer] is the No1 sport in America. Coming over I really had to prove myself to my teammates my coaches even the staff that brought me over.” In the wake of that struggle, Hyndman has evolved as a midfielder, changing the way he plays.“Coming to Fulham I was a sole No10,” he says. “I didn’t defend much I was pure attack. As I’ve grown into the English game I’ve settled more into a No8 role – playing both sides of the ball. If you’re looking for a player reference, I try to play a little bit like a [Luka] Modric type of player.” Comparisons to Real Madrid’s Modric will be music to the ears of Fulham fans as they recover from a difficult season in England’s second tier. In many ways, Hyndman’s campaign has mirrored that of the club. “It’s been up and down for sure,” he says reflecting on his own year. “The beginning of the season was a big high to get my debut - the first game of the season. Then to go away with the senior national team a month later was obviously a big shock but I was very happy. “I’ve had a couple of injuries later in the season which have been unfortunate but you know I had one with the national team in the last game but its just kind of been rolling that way.” The latest twist has been a positive one, however. Named captain of Tab Ramos’ U20 side ahead of the World Cup in New Zealand, it is an opportunity he is delighted have. “Any chance to play in the World Cup I’m dying for,” Hyndman says. “I hope we have great success. It’ll be a big stepping stone for a lot of players and if we can do well as a group it’ll just take that image much higher.” He hopes those heights include a return to the senior national team. Mention of head coach Jurgen Klinsmann elicits a positive response from Hyndman. “He called me before he invited me [into the squad],” he explains. “He’s a great coach and great guy. I went to camp being 18 years old – I was a little nervous. He took those nerves right out of me, told me to try my best. I was there to learn the system was like with the senior national team.” Granted just two days vacation at home, 2015-16 could prove a hectic year for Hyndman, with both club and country commitments. “I’m looking forward to any opportunities I have with the national team at any level, especially something like the Olympics [in 2016] with so much history and tradition.” Yet Hyndman doesn’t seem phased by all of his responsibilities. That may be because just like those Saturday mornings sat in front of the TV, he knows it’s just another phase of his development, pushing towards that next stage. |