âÂÂThey didnâÂÂt just save my dream, they saved my life.â ThatâÂÂs how Sebastián Velásquez perceives Real Salt LakeâÂÂs decision to select him during the MLS Superdraft in January.
After a whirlwind few months, the rookie reflects upon the moment he found out heâÂÂd be making his competitive bow against league champions LA Galaxy. âÂÂI saw my name on the board [the night before] and I just started grinding my teeth,â he said. âÂÂI was really nervous. In my mind I remembered what a friend from back in Colombia had told me: itâÂÂs two goals, 22 people on the field, and three referees. Just go out there and have fun.âÂÂ
To truly comprehend his journey, you must go back. Born in Colombia's second city MedellÃÂn, Velásquez moved to the US with his mother at the age of two. Throughout his youth he went to school and played club soccer with the aim of one day playing the game professionally.
At 17, his first chance came. Offered a trial with Barcelona after impressing their former striker Steve Archibald, Velásquez began an intense training regiment in preparation for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
âÂÂI was good friends with a guy called Anthony Solomon. He owned an artificial pitch called Carolina Indoor Soccer,â he explains. âÂÂHe would let me have the keys so I could start at six or seven in the morning till late at night. When I found out about the Barcelona trial, I spent eight months working and sleeping there â it had a couch in the building. IâÂÂd do things like shooting, running with weights on my legs, at a good pace. All kinds of things.âÂÂ
He describes the trial with Barcelona as an unforgettable experience, but it failed to provide a contract, as did a subsequent spell with local rivals Espanyol. Undeterred, Velásquez returned to the US to play college soccer for Spartanburg Methodist College. The school not only helped him financially, but provided him with what he describes as an excellent soccer program.
After a two-year apprenticeship, Velásquez was ready to move on. Having agreed to join Clemson University, he received a shock phone call: âÂÂThey told me they had heard about my try-outs in Europe and that because of that I was ineligible â I had no idea.âÂÂ
With the college route apparently blocked and his dream seemingly over, Velásquez had little idea what to do. His mother was now back home in Colombia, which at the time seemed the only option. âÂÂI visited Colombia three times [in the space of a year] to see if I could fit into the lifestyle and adjust to it.âÂÂ
Chasing down Landon Donovan for RSL against the Galaxy
As Velásquez begins to elaborate, he reveals the culture shock. âÂÂIn Colombia thereâÂÂs not as much security as there is in this country,â he said. âÂÂThere you can drink whatever age you want; you can do drugs on the corner of a soccer field.âÂÂ
With his mother also living in one of the most dangerous areas, Pedregal, Velásquez provides a harrowing example of day-to-day life on a gangland frontline. âÂÂI remember when sheâÂÂd call me crying and you could hear the shootings outside between the gangs. I didnâÂÂt want to go into that.
"When youâÂÂre young there, if people donâÂÂt know you they're always going to ask âÂÂWho is that? Is he trying to take over our territory?â I didnâÂÂt want to be a part of that. I want to be safe and not make bad decisions.âÂÂ
ItâÂÂs at this point you begin to understand why Velásquez is so grateful to Real Salt Lake. Already possessing a one-way ticket to Colombia, he made a vital final phone call. âÂÂIt was the best decision IâÂÂve ever made in my life.
"I was thinking about doing it, and I asked my college coach. He said I should, but I didnâÂÂt want to give him the news I wasnâÂÂt going to Clemson. Five minutes later, my professional life changed forever. If I hadnâÂÂt made that call there would have been no Sebastián in MLS.âÂÂ
At this stage it was only a trial, and as Velásquez had already learned, that was no guarantee of being picked up. Huddled with his mother around a computer back in Colombia, Velásquez watched the Superdraft process unfold â all the time hoping and praying.
âÂÂWhen the first two drafts got picked, my mom got nervous. I just sat there and said 'DonâÂÂt worry, things will work out, stay positive'. As soon as they picked me⦠man, I just started crying â thatâÂÂs all I did, was cry.âÂÂ
ThereâÂÂs a flicker in his voice as he recalls the moment that made this all possible. Selected at No.36, Sebastian Velásquez was now a professional soccer player. As he begins to settle into life in Utah, he hasn't forgotten his mother. âÂÂWeâÂÂre looking at that right now and her paperwork situation,â he said. âÂÂRSL is helping me with that. TheyâÂÂve put me on to the immigration lawyers, so hopefully I can get her back here or help out economically.âÂÂ
Proud of his Colombian roots at a club with a heavy South American influence, Velásquez has fit into the squad seamlessly, even gaining a nickname. âÂÂEl Mofetaâ (âÂÂThe SkunkâÂÂ) refers to the blonde and black hair that two teammates shaved off last week, something he takes in good spirits.
He may be living life one day at a time, but what does the future hold for Velásquez? âÂÂSomeday I want to be an agent,â he declares. But he wouldn't be a merciless money-mad merchandiser: his reasons are far more positive. âÂÂSo I can go to these different spots where I know things are bad, give my hand to a kid and say âÂÂThere's green land on the other side of the hill; you do have an opportunity at life.â ItâÂÂs a noble wish and one that you hope he is able to complete.
For the time being, however, his aim is simple â and he believes achievable under the stewardship of coach Jason Kreis. âÂÂI want to learn something new each day and become a better player. Jason Kreis is an incredible coach. HeâÂÂs always there for you. I have so much respect for him that it feels like a father and son relationship.âÂÂ
