Edgewood Athletic Association

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Jun, 2013

Getting to Know LMSC - Coach Evan Sassano

Q…How old were you when you first started to play soccer? What club?
A….I first started to play soccer when I was about 5. I played on an indoor team at the YMCA and an outdoor team for AYSO in Southern California.

Q….What was your most memorable/funniest soccer moment? First memory?
A….There have been so many memories it is hard to pick just one. I can remember back when I was maybe 6 or 7. My team was called the Eagles. The sprinklers on the field had a picture of an eagle on them, so I thought this must have been our very own private field! Other things that stick out in my mind, are when I scored a goal to win NCS, or the first times I stepped foot on the field in college and professionally. Good or bad, all my experiences have helped shaped me to become the coach and player I am today.

Q…Did you ever play with friends in backyards or pick-up soccer?  How often?
A…All the time! I played a lot with kids on the block. We just played simple games like “world cuppies” where there is one goalie and 10 players trying to score. We broke a lot of fences.

Q…When did you first get a red card? Yellow card?
A…I can’t remember my first yellow card, but I know I got a few because I play passionately. I do remember my first (one and only) red, which was when I was about 17. An opposing player noticed I was wearing an ankle brace, so when I fell to the ground he took a cheap shot and stomped on my ankle. I retaliated immediately and tackled him to the ground. Unfortunately, the ref only saw my reaction. I was ejected. Sadly, our team lost that game by one goal. You learn as a player that you have to keep your cool, no matter what. I never got a red card after that.

Q…What is the best advice a soccer coach ever gave you?
A…I am sure there were many things coaches told me that helped me become a better player that settled in on a subconscious level, but one prep talk sticks in my mind. We were in the state cup finals, and with minutes to go, the other team just scored an amazing bicycle goal from outside the 18-yard box to tie the game. As we were taking a break to go into golden goal our coach had some simple words that made a lot of sense. He said “momentum is an illusion.” I never thought about it like this. Sure the other team just scored and we felt a little down, but we were a good team and fully capable of winning. The other team really didn’t do anything, but tie the game. To be mentally strong is everything. Right away it clicked; we controlled our own destiny! All we had to do was score one goal. Minutes later ..shot…goal…win…. State Champions!

Q…Who is your favorite player? Team? Now and when you were younger?
A…When I was younger I used to love to watch International matches. It was amazing to me that there was a sport where you could be considered the best in the world. Romario for Brazil and Zinedine Zidane for France were masters of the game. Now I have come to love Barcelona. Although they have many great players, I really enjoy watching Andres Iniesta. It is so fun to see great players like this take over the game and come up clutch in the World Cup, Euro Cup or Champions League.

Q…How is LMSC different/same now than when you played?
A…LMSC has changed by leaps and bounds since I grew up here. When I first started the club was disconnected, and had no direction. The club has a strong vision and has become much stronger. Not only has the club gained national recognition for its successful teams, but it has become a “farm program”, producing great talent seen at the collegiate and professional levels. The amount of alumni who have continued their careers is very impressive. I often think, what kind of a player would I have been had I had been through today’s program.

Q…How do the things you have learned in soccer help you in other areas of your life?
A…There are countless ways in which I relate soccer to my life. It has taught me the importance of hard work, dedication, and persistence. I was never the biggest, the smartest, the fastest, or the most talented player, but I always made every effort to become a better player. Over time, after making many sacrifices, it paid off. As the-once-thought-to-be superstars of my youth faded one by one, I went on to play at collegiate and professional levels.    I have been able to take the same approach to my education. There are many parallels I have drawn from soccer to apply elsewhere. I am a student of the game, always learning and looking to improve. I have learned how to work well with others, how to be a leader, but also be self-critical. As a player I have had to make many lifestyle choices. Keeping a healthy diet and a high fitness level have become second nature because I have been an athlete my whole life. It makes it easy since I dedicated my youth to exercising on a daily basis.     Among many other things, soccer has also showed me the rewards of having a passion, and doing my very best to take my dreams as far as I can.

Q…You played at CAL, what was the most difficult thing about playing college soccer?
A…On the field, you are trying to take your game to the next level. This means rigorous dedicated training schedule, improved nutrition, increasing physical fitness and strength. With more competition and pressure for playing time it can take an emotional toll, but the rewards for all the hard work are definitely worth it.    Off the field, you must have a good sense of time management. If you want to be eligible to play you must do well in school. This balancing act of school and sports starts as a youth, but the game stakes in college are quite a bit higher.

Q…What is the farthest you have ever travelled to play or coach?
A…As a youth player, I went to Denmark and Sweden (Gothia Cup) for a few tournaments, as well as train in England for a few weeks. This was a great experience to see the rest of the world play the same game I played. After college I embarked to play professionally in Holland and Germany. At this point in my career, it really felt rewarding to take my game to different countries and fit right in.

Q…Famous UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden said, “Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming”
A…This is a great quote from a great coach. All you can do is do you best. You have to be honest with yourself because you are really the only one who can judge that. Sometimes you will reach certain points that are a new personal best, and this why you must always strive get better every day. There is a peace of mind that comes from doing your best. It is important for people to have this feeling so that they feel comfortable when performing. I think it is important for young players to understand this point. They must try their very best and always try to get better. I think this is a great way to measure success.

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