http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?...VFeXk2NDIxMjYy
World at his feet
Tuesday, September 2, 2003
By IVES GALARCEP
STAFF WRITER
Things could have been so different for Danny Szetela. If the Clifton product had continued along the normal path, he would be preparing for his junior year at Clifton High School and thinking about playing teams like Bergen Catholic, Montclair and Hackensack. Instead, after whirlwind year as part of the United States Under-17 national team residency program, Szetela is busy trying to pick an agent and considering contract offers from clubs such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton.
Such is life for a 16-year-old with the world at his talented feet. Szetela spent the better part of 2003 climbing his way up the U.S. Under-17 ladder and reached the top in time to emerge as the United States' brightest star not named Freddy Adu at the Under-17 World Championships in Finland two weeks ago. Szetela's strength, patience and vision in central midfield had Spanish broadcasters on Galavision gushing and European scouts drooling at the American playmaker with the golden locks.
"This past year has really been a dream," said Szetela. "Thinking about how lucky I've been to do so many things, like play in a world championship, it's hard to believe that so much has happened so fast."
What has happened exactly? After joining the residency program last fall, Szetela established himself as one of the best young players in the American youth system, starred in tournaments from South Korea to Italy, dominated at the world championships two weeks ago, and received six-figure offers from several of Europe's top teams. Now, a player once unknown to most outside of Clifton is creating a buzz from Madrid to London.
It's all enough to make a mother well up with pride, as Krystyna Szetela often does these days. It was not easy for her to let Danny leave Clifton for the residency program in Florida a year ago, especially after the death of her husband Julian earlier in 2002. She worried about how her youngest son would handle life on his own. She realizes now that there was nothing to be worried about.
"I see him now and he has grown up so much and is so mature," said Krystyna, who made the trip to Finland to watch Danny play in the world championships.
"To be out there, and to here them say his name and see my son doing so well makes everything he did worth it."
How well did Szetela do in Finland exactly? In the team's 6-1 win over South Korea he set up the first of three goals for Adu, dominated the midfield and outplayed two teammates already playing in MLS (Eddie Gaven and Guillermo Gonzalez).
Against Sierre Leone, a team the United States beat 2-1 but deserved to lose to, Szetela served as the steadying force in the middle, marking Sierre Leone's best player while still contributing to the attack. Even in the next two matches, shutout losses to eventual world championship finalists Spain (2-0) and Brazil (3-0), Szetela appeared to embrace the challenge rather than fold under the pressure.
What did that performance and the ones in the months leading up to the world championships earn Szetela? Attention, both from professional teams and from agents hoping to sign the next American star.
Taking some good advice from family friends, Szetela has yet to sign a thing. For him, there is no rush even with one English club offering $712,000 for a kid whose next paycheck will be his first. Just as he is on the field with the ball at his feet, Szetela is patient. Decisions involving clubs and agents can wait for now. There is still the business of fitting a childhood into his hectic schedule.
"I wish I didn't have to deal with all the business stuff but that comes with it," said Szetela. "I'll be happy when I can just worry about playing soccer."
That day will come as soon as Szetela picks the club with which he will spend the rest of his teenage years. England is the strongest possibility, with Spain also in the hunt. Szetela wouldn't rule out playing in Major League Soccer, but with big bucks awaiting in Europe, staying in the United States seems unlikely.
"I want to play in MLS eventually and I think everybody should play in MLS, but I just don't think it's the move for me now," said Szetela, who is in the process of securing a Polish passport that will allow him to play in England by 2004. "It's my dream to play in Europe, and now that I'm close I can't wait for the chance."
Szetela will have to wait.
There is still the business of finishing his final year of high school at the Edison Learning Center in Bradenton, Fla., before he chooses an agent, signs with a club, moves to Europe and begins a professional career that has the early signs of being something special. As eventful as the past year was for Szetela, it was only the beginning.
Szetela to Brescia[Italy]
net:
Linear Mode
