Canadians in Germany

[Joe MacCarthy]

Canadian players are flying high in Germany. In the Bundesliga 2 Canadians are affiliated with the top three teams in the league.

Young Nik Ledgerwood plays for the Amateurs (Reserves) of the third place 1860 München. Daniel Imhof (who scored Friday) is a starter for tied for first place Bochum and also tied for first place is Kevin McKenna's Energie Cottbus.

McKenna just scored his second hat trick of the season against FC Saarbrücken (the first against Sportfreunde Siegen). He leads the Bundesliga 2 with 8 goals in 10 games. Unfortunately fellow Canadian Tam Nsaliwa plays for last place Saarbrücken.

http://tinypic.com/ev6q1d.jpg
Kevin McKenna

Wouldn't it be something to see all three teams promoted to Bundesliga 1!!

[supersjd]

once again its great to see canadian players going some where

[Joe MacCarthy]

Here is a nice translation of an article from the Energie Cottbus website on Canadian Kevin McKenna. The translation was done by Ed (resident Vs expert on the German scene) Tks Ed

http://www.fcenergie.de/

It's not rare for a defender to control the penalty area, but it's unusual if it's in the opposition end. Kevin McKenna right now is the best. Unlike the defenders in the Bundesliga who have earned that reputation like Lucio and Daniel van Buyten, the Canadian who plays for Bundesliga 2 club FC Energie isn't restricted to occasional attacks; he's acquired a taste for starting as a striker - and with his versatility has become a bad dream for the opposing ranks.

Right now he is the secret weapon that trainer Petrik Sander produced when he needed a replacement for suspended Francis Kioyo. McKenna scored three in the 4:2 win over Siegen, and another in the 5:1 game against Aachen. After that he played up front with Kioyo still out - and pushed his tally on the season from 6 goals to eight in the 3:1 win over Saarbruecken.

Goals have sparked interest

With his unusual versatility, the 25-year-old has for weeks caught the attention of the Bundesliga. 'I've had inquiries', says the Canadian international. He is under contract in Cottbus until 2007. Thanks to his goals, Energie dreams of the return to the higher league. 'It doesn't matter who scores. The main thing is that we score.', he says.

The North American has returned to the hot seat just this summer after three years in Scotland with Heart of Midlothian. He had begun his career back in Europe as an 18 year-old and had been brought in under trainer Eduard Geyer for two Bundesliga games as well as three Bundesliga 2 games.

Under a player exchange program involving Cottbus and Canadian kids from Calgary, McKenna crossed the Atlantic as a teenager. Trained to be a striker, he convinced the amateur team to try him in defense where they needed a player who could play strong in the air. The English-Canadian Owen Hargreaves also came out of that Calgary exchange. Hargreaves meanwhile is a bit more English playing on the national team and Bayern Munich.

McKenna however remained hanging around in Cottbus. And fell in love. His girlfriend Claudia, from a Lausitzer athletic family, is expecting a baby in February and McKenna plans on getting married this summer. Claudine was once the German cycling champion. Her father Hans-Joachim Hartnick, twice Olympian, world team champion, winner at the Peace Games and East German road racing champion gave her that talent in the cradle. 'Kevin's and my views met, and we clicked immediately', says Claudine.

Also successful against Germany

From his statistics from his time in Scotland, McKenna's scoring touch isn't just a flash in the pan. For the Hearts out of Edinburgh, he scored 23 times in approximately three seasons. And he was in and out of the lineup. He got some attention before a wide German audience two years ago in the Germany vs Canada (4:1) international in Wolfsburg. In that game, he gave the Maple Leafs under Holger Osieck the early 1:0 lead. But the World Cup 2006 takes place to be sure without Canada and without McKenna.

Yet that's not going to bother the confident McKenna, he still has his best years ahead of him - at least as a defender.
Martin Haas/Christoph Leuchtenberg

[Joe MacCarthy]

Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault signs with St. Pauli (German Regionalliga Nord) (3) U18
http://www.fcstpauli.de

Tks to Ed at Vs for translation

Bourgault has just signed through 2008 with the senior club. He trained with the Regional League team for 2 months.

More details:

Jonathan and his father have signed the contract but are waiting on the signature of his mother. FC St Pauli is now waiting on some clearances from the A-Junioren, Oberliga, and Regional Leagues. I assume they may want him to play in any of those leagues - note that the A-Junioren team does not play in the high profile Bundesliga U19 league but a regional one. Regardless, this is a nice signing for a 17 year old

The contract will be valid once those clearances (or releases?) arrive. The contract was arranged through the young man's agent Dr. Andreas Kirsch and the FC St. Pauli Sporting Director Holger Stanislawski. Stanislawski is quoted as saying: "We're lucky to soon have such a gem in our ranks".

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to An Observer at Vs for headsup. Looks like some glowing praise for "Wonder Child" Jonathan Bourgault saying he was also pursued by Manchester United.

http://www.mopo.de/2005/20051110/sport/stpauli/wunderknabe_jonathan_lieber_st_pauli_als_manu.html

KIEZ-KLUB MIT NEUEM COUP

Wunderknabe Jonathan: Lieber St. Pauli als ManU
Kanadier Bourgault (17) unterschreibt bis 2008 - wenn Mama ja sagt

BUTTJE ROSENFELD

Der FC St. Pauli hat sich einen zweiten Kanadier geangelt: Nach Ive "Johnny" Sulentic unterschreibt jetzt auch der gerade 17 Jahre alt gewordene "Wunderknabe" Jonathan Bourgault bis 2008. Sein Berater Dr. Andreas Kirsch und Papa Justin haben ihr Okay schon gegeben, jetzt muss Mama Jeannine nur noch formell ja sagen.

Als Jonathan kürzlich mit der kanadischen U-20-Nationalmannschaft gegen das Jugendteam von Manchester United kickte, wollten die ManU-Macher den Mittelfeldspieler gleich auf der Insel behalten. Auch der HSV hatte den blonden Jüngling beobachten lassen - heimlich durch Scout Michael Schröder beim Training in der Kollaustraße. Doch das Supertalent, das bereits seit zwei Monaten mit Fabio Morena und Co. mittrainiert, legte sich im Grunde genommen schon vor Wochen fest: "Ich möchte zu St. Pauli."

Jonathan zur MOPO: "Ich habe mich von Anfang an sehr wohl gefühlt, die Kollegen sind alle sehr nett." Und sie akzeptieren ihn auch. Fabian Boll, der unlängst von Bourgault durch dessen harten Einsatz beim Training in eine Verletzungspause "getreten" wurde: "Solche Aktionen gehören beim Fußball dazu. Der Junge lässt sich halt nichts gefallen, setzt sich körperlich voll ein. Ich bin überzeugt, dass wir noch viel Freude an ihm haben werden."

Das glaubt auch der Coach des Kiez-Klubs. Andreas Bergmann, der vor seinem Engagement als Cheftrainer jahrelang erfolgreich im Nachwuchsbereich gearbeitet hat: "Als er Anfang September zu uns kam, war er erst 16 Jahre alt - und dafür ist er unglaublich weit, vor allem was Spielauffassung und -intelligenz anbelangt. Er ist einer fürs defensive Mittelfeld, hat aber auch ein gutes Auge für die Aktionen nach vorn. Mir gefällt seine schnörkellose Spielweise."

Der Vertrag, der am 1. Januar in Kraft tritt, gilt übrigens auch für die 2. und 1. Liga - St. Pauli plant seine Zukunft.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Dave Marino-Nachison at BS for headsup

Promises made, promises broken
by Michael Matsumaru
http://www.mrtimes.com/issues06/092106/sports.html

http://i4.tinypic.com/2wqwtww.jpg
Local soccer player Marinko Maras/Michael Matsumaru/TIMES

Marinko Maras glanced at his passport and noticed his visa had expired two months ago. The 17-year-old from Pitt Meadows, living in Kaiserlautern, Germany was caught off guard. His first time living away from home and now this happens. Another reason to worry, another reason to doubt his ever coming to the southwestern German town in the first place. All this for soccer?

When he broached the subject with team management - his Visa expired in January and it was already March, he was shocked by their reaction. They were far from sympathetic.

"They didn't really do anything," said Maras. "They were making jokes about handcuffs and throwing me in jail. I was like, 'Oh my god, you guys are losers'."

Fast forward to May 3, one of the best days of Maras' young life. He was excited about going home and clearing his head. He was looking forward to seeing his family and friends again. He was heading back to Pitt Meadows after a year and a half abroad, playing for the U-17 version of F.C. Kaiserslautern.

At the airport, Maras ran into a roadblock, as a handful of German officials from customs spoke in hushed tones, debating what should be done with the Canadian and his expired visa. After about an hour, they let him board the plane.

Although they had promised to take care of Maras' visa, nothing ever came of it. It was just another example of a broken promise - the foundation of Maras' stay in Germany.

It took a lot of sweet talk and promises to get Maras out of Pitt Meadows. He was 15 at the time. An honour roll student at Archbishop Carney and a stint with the U-17 junior national team had solidified his reputation as one of the top young prospects in Canada.

Maras and his parents - Doris and Peter - put a lot of faith in Dr. Andreas Kirsch, a German lawyer and the main agent for F.C. Kaiserslautern. He promised education, the soccer would be a step up for Maras, and all expenses would be paid for. In many ways, he delivered those promises. In several key areas, he was an absolute disaster.

Maras lived with Kirsch for a few months, when he first arrived in Germany. It wasn't too bad when Kirsch was at home - he was a decent cook - and Maras had some company. But, as time went on, Kirsch left the 15-year-old Maras (at the time) alone in the house for weeks on end, as he travelled across the country for work.

Stuck in the "boonies" and living on packaged food left behind by Kirsch, Maras was miserable. He worked out a lot. It was pretty much all he did.

"I was like Rocky, kind of on a little mission," said Maras.

He learned to wash his own clothes by hand - the washing machine was busted for several months - which was a good learning experience.

After about five months, Maras snapped. He got into an argument with Kirsch, who was choked because he felt his work wasn't appreciated. What was wrong with frozen pizzas for a young soccer player?

Thankfully, for Maras, his older brother Mirko was in Germany at the time and put him in touch with Dylan Hughes, a Vancouverite who had experienced his own run-in with Kirsch. Maras later found out that three Canadian players had already been through altercations with Kirsch. Hughes was far from shocked when he heard about Maras' troubles. He was a savior to Maras and let him stay at his place for a few weeks.

The argument between Maras and Kirsch made its way back to the club, eventually.

"They kind of told him off," said Maras. "I was there, it was kind of funny."

From there, Maras was put up in a hotel for three months and given a bike to ride to practices - four per week. The bike rides were exhausting after practice - he rode 25 minutes each way - but they kept him in great shape.

It was far from a five star hotel, though.

"It was brutal, the room was like a walk-in closet," said Maras.

The main reason Maras returned to Pitt Meadows was education.

Kirsch had said Maras would attend the Heinriche-Heine Gymnasium, a private school home to many of the country's top junior athletes. Maras went there for about a week.

He says he made it to school every day that week, except for a Wednesday when was sick. The team was told that Maras missed class that entire week. The end result of the disagreement: Maras did not attend a school for the rest of his time in Germany.

He was told constantly his German wasn't good enough. Initially, he was slated to take German classes, but those never materialized.

"His education has gone down the tubes," said Doris. "He's supposed to be going into Grade 12 and he's only in Grade 10."

She is contemplating filing a complaint against the club, but fears it could be bad for her son's career. FIFA guidelines, however, do require clubs to provide junior players with some form of academic education.

When the situation at the hotel deteriorated, Maras was put up in a home with an elderly couple in their 60s. That turned out to be a bit of a gong show.

Not exactly an early riser, Maras never complained about having to get up at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast, but when he showed up late one morning the wife was not impressed.

"She had a little tweak show and I had to eat breakfast in my room for the rest of the time I was there," said Maras.

On the field, Maras says it was a great experience. He competed for a left back position against a player on the German U-17 national team and ended up playing in nearly every game. Even if he didn't start, he was able to play for at least half of the game. Maras got along well with most of his teammates, however his mind was often clouded with other thoughts when he was on the pitch.

"So many other things were on my mind," said Maras. "That was the worst part, not being able to focus. It definitely got to me. I know that it wasn't me out there."

The team won the league title, but Maras flew home before the Meister Schaft (German Cup), a disappointment for Maras.

While most who love the sport of soccer were flocking to Germany in advance of the World Cup, Maras was elated to go home, even though it meant missing the cup.

On May 3, he closed the chapter on his German experience, fiasco, or whatever you want to call it. It was, however, a learning experience and he does plan on returning to Europe. Just not Germany, and definitely not Kaiserlautern.

"The first day I came back it was a brand new me," said Maras. "I'm here with my friends, my family and I'm putting that in the past."

He started training with the Whitecaps in the middle of May and played with the Whitecaps' reserves over the summer. He's going to continue training with the Whitecaps and playing games with Croatia in the Vancouver Metro Soccer League until he figures out what's next.

The family has been speaking with several agents but has yet to sign a contract. Everyone, especially Peter - the biggest supporter of Marinko, also his son's chauffeur - who is extremely skeptical of agents these days.

"We should have called them out on everything right from the beginning," said Doris.

"We were too patient."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Sigma at Vs for headsup

German agent refutes player's tale of woe
by Stephen Tipper
http://www.mrtimes.com/issues06/124206/sports.html

The former agent of a Pitt Meadows soccer player says he did everything he could for the teenager while he was playing for a German youth team.

Dr. Andreas Kirsch contacted The TIMES to respond to claims Marinko Maras made in the Sept. 5 edition.

Kirsch said Maras simply did not perform up to F.C. Kaiserlautern's standards on the soccer pitch.

When Maras was 15, the promising young player travelled to Germany with the hopes that the experience would benefit his soccer career.

Kirsch promised education and better soccer. All expenses would be paid for.

Maras, now 17, said Kirsch delivered on those promises in many ways, but in others he fell short.

Kirsch disagrees with that last part.

All foreign players take time to adjust to their new environment, said Kirsch, and the club "didn't care" what his performance was like during the first six months. But over the next six months, the club expects to see some kind of improvement on the pitch, he said.

But more than a year passed Maras's arrival on German soil, and Kaiserslautern was still waiting for Maras's performance to improve, he said.

While his attitude on the field was good, his play let him down, said Kirsch.

"He was not performing; he got upset," he said.

After a few months, Kirsch said Maras realized it was going to be difficult for him to succeed at Kaiserslautern and advance his soccer career there.

"He knew that it was getting very difficult for him to become a professional player," said Kirsch.

He was not a starter for either the under-19 or under-17 youth teams, said Kirsch.

"He wasn't even starting in the younger team," said Kirsch.

With the investment European clubs make into bringing in Canadian kids, Canadian players can't just be as good as the native players.

"You have to be better than the European kids," said Kirsch.

Maras has said that his mind was often clouded when he was on the pitch.

"So many other things were on my mind," he told The TIMES. "That was the worst part, not being able to focus. It definitely got to me. I know that it wasn't me out there."

Maras had earned his trip to Germany after impressing club officials during a tryout.

"He never played the same soccer as he did in the tryout," said Kirsch.

And the Pitt Meadows teenager did not put much effort into his education, and did not want to learn German, according to Kirsch.

Maras has said he was initially slated to take German classes but they never materialized. His education went down the tubes while in Germany, his mother Doris has said.

But Kirsch said: "Maras refused to learn the language."

The club offered a private teacher but Maras "made excuses" for not taking them, said Kirsch.

Maras thought that he was so close to realizing his dream of becoming a professional soccer player that school was no longer important, Kirsch claimed.

"He acted like he was a superstar, but he wasn't a superstar," he said.

The club wants its students in school, and he and the club made efforts to make sure he had that opportunity, said Kirsch.

"All the other kids are going to school," he said. "He was not the only one going to school."

Maras also took issue with his living arrangements. Kirsch says that while Maras lived with him, there were people around the teenager, even when he was away on business.

He was not, as Maras has claimed, left alone for long periods, he said.

But alternative arrangements were found because Maras felt lonely, said Kirsch. He lived in a dorm, much like one would find at a university, for a school for elite athletes, Kirsch said. But Maras wanted to stay with a family, however, and he ended up living with an elderly couple.

Maras said he was not an early riser but didn't complain about waking up at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast. When he showed up late one morning, the wife was not impressed and made him eat breakfast in his room for the remainder of his stay there, Maras said.

"They have rules," said Kirsch of the couple.

In the end Kaiserslautern had had enough and sent him home, said Kirsch.

The teenager had signed in the first couple of months in 2005 and returned home in May 2006.

The experience was a disappointing one for Maras, but one he said he had learned from.

Maras's father Peter was left feeling skeptical of agents.

Kirsch said he had built a good relationship with Maras and his family, but in the end Maras just didn't live up to the club's expectations.

Another Canadian parent and his teenage son have had an entirely different experience with Kirsch.

Parent Justin Bourgault, who lives in Montreal, had nothing but good things to say about Kirsch, the agent for Justin's 17-year-old son Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault. Beaulieu-Bourgault, who has three caps with Canada's under-20 team, has been playing professional soccer for F.C. St. Pauli, a German third division team based in Hamburg.

"For me, (the experience with Kirsch) was very, very good," said his dad.

Bourgault said his son's family would prefer to look after him, as "it's not like he's 25 years old."

He has heard of problems with other agents, but the family has not run into any problems with Kirsch, said Bourgault. The teenager's family is in touch with him on a daily basis.

Kirsch has been liaising with the club for Jonathon and his family, and has been a big help, said the soccer player's dad.

"Anything we need, or if we need more information, we give him a call."

His son has been living in a condo belonging to the team, which the family believes is "preferable," said Bourgault. His son has been living with several other players, but has his own room, computer and TV. He has been learning German, but there's been no way he can go to school full-time with his soccer commitments, said Bourgault.

"Jonathon is well taken care of."