Rochester Rhinos’ rookie, Nano Short, is this week’s guest on the Jared Montz Soccer Podcast. Nano earned All-American honors at Lynn University and is coming fresh off his start in last night’s US Open Cup match against the Wilmington Hammerheads.
After dealing with an injury Nano seems to be on the right track scoring a goal over the weekend against the Austin Aztex and starting Tuesday night in the Open Cup. On the podcast we talked about his adjustment to life as a pro, how his personal season is going, the Rhino’s impressive US Open Cup run, took some user submitted questions, discussed the difference between soccer in America and soccer in England (where he is from), and previewed Friday’s game against the Puerto Rico Islanders.
Enjoy!
*Podcast is 22 minutes and 47 seconds long. Feel free to hit play, open a new tab and surf the web or get some work done while you listen.
*You can subscribe to the Jared Montz Soccer Podcast in iTunes by clicking here.
*For those of you that use other Mp3 audio players and need the direct link to download it please copy and paste the link below into your browser. Hopefully you know what do after that because I don’t!
Thanks for listening to the Jared Montz Soccer Podcast! You can watch Nano and the Rhinos play this Friday against the Puerto Rico Islanders on Fox Soccer Channel or USLLive.com at 8pm eastern time.
What did you think of the interview? Are you happy to see Nano’s rookie season going so well? Do you think the Rhinos can win the US Open Cup? Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments in the comments section below.
Rochester Rhinos’ rookie, Nano Short, is this week’s guest on the Jared Montz Soccer Podcast. Nano earned All-American honors at Lynn University and is coming fresh off his start in last night’s US Open Cup match against the Wilmington Hammerheads.
After dealing with an injury Nano seems to be on the right track scoring a goal over the weekend against the Austin Aztex and starting last night. On the podcast we are going to talk about his adjustment to life as a pro, how his personal season is going, the Rhino’s impressive US Open Cup run, difference between soccer in America and soccer in England (where he is from), and preview Friday’s game against the Puerto Rico Islanders.
If you have a question for Nano and would like him to answer it on the podcast please submit it to me before 5pm central time today, Wednesday July 8th. You can submit your question via Facebook, Twitter, your Online Soccer Academy message center, post a comment in the comments section, or email me at jared@jmsoccer10.com.
The podcast will be available to listen to on the blog Thursday morning or you can listen in iTunes.
A little sad I am not putting out a new Jared Montz Soccer Podcast this week. I was going strong for about 8 weeks straight but I need to take a break this week and the following two weeks because with 3 weeks of my soccer camps in a row it is to much for me to do a podcast right now. I wish I didn’t have to sleep so I could get some done, but unfortunately part of being a human is sleeping at least 4 hours a night!
So what I am going to do is link up some archived podcasts. If you already heard them by all means listen to it again if you thought it was good. If you haven’t heard it yet then be sure and give it a listen either on the blog or in iTunes by searching the Jared Montz Soccer Podcast.
This week’s guest on the Jared Montz Soccer Podcast is John Krause of the Puerto Rico Islanders. John plays center back for the Islanders and helped lead them on their dream run in the CONCACAF Champions League tournament. Unfortunately the team was defeated in the semi finals in an absolute nail biter!
Coming up on his 50th cap for the club John took some time out before training Tuesday to talk to us on the podcast. He discussed the team’s start to the season, dream run in CONCACAF, Colin Clarke’s coaching style, answered some user submitted questions, told us about his live music sharing website, and previewed their upcoming USL games against Portland next week.
John gave a great interview! Enjoy!
*This podcast is 22 minutes and 58 seconds so feel free to click play, open a new tab, and listen while you get some work done or surf the web.
*You can subscribe to this podcast in iTunes for free by searching Jared Montz Soccer Podcast in your iTunes store or by clicking here.
*Below is the direct link to copy and past into your browser if yo wish to download it into your own player of choice.
What did you think of John’s interview? Can he and Puerto Rico win the USL this year? How do you think they would fair against MLS teams? What did you think of John’s NetLiveMusic.com? Were you disappointed to see them lose in CONCACAF? Please feel free to share your thoughts and comments below.
On April 18, 2009 the Austin Aztex, USL-1 expansion side, took on the Minnesota Thunder in its first official match in front of about 5,000 fans at Nelson field in Austin. It ended in a 1-1 draw, but was filled with excitement. The Aztexs were made up of players from all over; American, Mexican, Welsh, and English. Some were first year pros, others were seasoned vets, and one has played in the English Premier League.
Gifton Ruben Elisha Noel-Williams is that former English Premier League player. He is a 6 ft 3 striker from London. You know immediately when you meet him he is English because of his accent and sense of humor. For the sake of me not having an incredibly high word count on this story I am going to be calling him by his nickname, Gift.
Gift, 29, has been a pro now for 13 years. He signed with Watford in 1996 and played seven seasons. At age 19 he was Watford’s leading goal scorer helping them earn promotion to the Premier League. After leaving Watford he played at multiple clubs over the years including Stoke City, Burnley, Real Murcia, and Millwall to name a few. He is currently signed on a two-year deal stateside with the Austin Aztex. For a man who has shared front-page headlines with Ronaldo I couldn’t have asked a more humbling player to spend some time with the JMS readers.
Like a birthday present you’ve been waiting all year to open I give you, Gift!
JM – How many goals did you score the season Watford was promoted?
Gift – 11-12
JM – How old were you when you signed pro?
Gift – I played for the 1st team when I was 16 but in England you can’t sign pro until your 17th birthday.
JM – In the states it is not the norm to be signing pro at 16/17 years old. However in England that is normal, why do you think that is? What are they doing differently over there on a youth level?
Gift – I think the difference is that (1) we have a proper youth set up where the aim is to mature the youths from a young age and make them into a pro and (2) in England to be a soccer player is a dream job. Kids dream to be a pro and only want do that and if it doesn’t work out then they will go into further education where as here it’s the other way around almost.
JM – What is the attitude of youth players trying to come through the ranks in England?
Gift – It depends because a lot of the young kids take it for granted. But most have the fire in there belly and the determination to make it because they no they have nothing more to do in life.
JM – Do you remember when you made your debut? Were you nervous?
Gift – It was Sunderland away in the cup. I was so nervous I almost peed my pants!
JM – At 19, you were still a teenager and you were the leading scorer for Watford helping your team to get promoted to the Premier league. How did you maintain the confidence and self-belief to compete at that level consistently for the whole season being just a teenager in a grown up’s game?
Gift – It was a few things I had the best coach ever who knew when to kick me up the butt, when to put an arm around me, when to play me, and when to rest me. He had the whole team controlled like that plus I was hungry as ever and just loved playing footy.
JM – What is your most memorable goal?
Gift – Probably the game that changed our season that same year when we got promoted to the Premier League; it was at home against Sunderland.
JM – You’re the type of player who is always smiling and having a good laugh with the boys. Does enjoying your soccer at training take away from getting the job done for you?
Gift – Not as long as we are working hard then why not smile. I don’t like lazy footballers. It does my head in if I can’t laugh and be happy when I’m doing what I love.
JM – Why do you love soccer?
Gift – I think it’s in my blood. I’ve been playing since the day I could walk!
JM – Who are some of the players and coaches you look up too?
Gift – Players are Ian Wright, John Barnes and Patrick Vieira. Favorite coach is Graham Taylor.
JM – Soccer is a game of highs and lows. Thankfully for you it seems that you had more highs than lows. What has been one of your lower points and how did you pull yourself out of it?
Gift – Injuries, when I had my 1st injury at 19 the specialist told me I’d never play footy again. I cried my eyes out that day but thankfully my rehab went well and I worked hard to come back.
JM – Do you think going through those low times has made you a better player and mentally stronger?
Gift – I don’t no about a better player but better person for sure.
*Here is a clip from Gift’s 1st professional hat trick when he was player at Burnley. The music is awesome and there is so much passion in the celebrations when he scores; I love it!
JM – Just from reading the forums on Big Soccer Austin fans are excited for you to be here. What is your goal for the team this season and how do you see your first season going in America?
Gift – I just want the team to do well. I’ve never been a person who only wants things for myself. If I get to double figures and the team is in the top 3, it’s a good season!
JM – What advice do you have for young players that are trying to reach their dreams in soccer?
Gift – If its 100% what you want to do then give 100%. Usually what you give is what you take out.
JM – Thanks for taking the time to do this interview Gift, I know my readers will enjoy it. Good luck this season! Cheers!
Gift – Your welcome, glad to do it! Cheers!
What do you think of Gift’s story? Can you imagine playing in the English Premier League at 17? Do you think he will score double figures this season with the Aztexs? Do you agree with his advice for young players? Please feel free to share your comments in the comments section below.
Unfortunately the Puerto Rico Islanders lost night in PK’s to Cruz Azul. By the end of the game they looked exhausted. I thought for sure if they could just make it to PK’s they would have gone through to the CONCACAF final. Very proud of the team for how well they played in the tournament and I am sure this should give them a lot of confidence for the USL-1 season when it starts in a week or two!
image via 
