It was another humid day of preseason in August 2006 when I received an email from Manya Makoski stating she was enrolling in graduate school at the University of New Haven and wanted to see if she could get involved with the team. My initial thought was if I could find some loophole to get her eligible to play that Fall. Unfortunately that didn't happen, but to have the opportunity to have a United States Youth National Team player come on as an assistant coach doesn't happen everyday. The added bonus was I was feeling a lot more confident about the coaches team for the 5v5 matches with the team. Earlier that summer, Makoski had broken her fibula and besides getting her feet wet in the coaching world, Manya was also working hard at practices to get fit again to continue with her own soccer career. I have been fortunate to watch Makoski train and also play countless indoor games with her. The adjectives that come to mind when describing Makoski as a player include; hard-working, quick, intense, simple, smart, and athletic. She is a model for young girls to follow when it comes to work-rate and I look forward to seeing her play again in 2012 with the Western New York Flash. Follow Makoski on twitter @Makoski22
Soccer Banter: Before we take a look at your own struggles the past few years with injuries, on Monday USSF officially sanctioned WPS for the 2012 season, what were your emotions/thoughts the past month after signing with the Western New York Flash and then finding out there might not be a season?
Manya Makoski: When I went to play in Iceland, I made it my goal to work hard and get back to my game 100% because I wanted to play in WPS again in 2012. When I signed my contract with the Western New York Flash I was so ecstatic, but yet so humbled to even have the chance to play with and against the best players in the world again. When I found out that USSF was not going to sanction WPS as a D1 league I was so disappointed; for myself, for all of the non-national team players, and for all of our loyal fans. We have all worked so hard to get to this point and to have it taken away, for no legit reason at all, was heartbreaking. But with the help of all our awesome fans and WPS players voicing their feelings about the necessity of WPS being a D1 league to USSF, I knew that the sanctioning would happen.
SB: What does having the opportunity to play professional soccer, specifically in America, mean to you?
MM: Americans pride themselves on working the hardest and being the best in the world. Without a domestic league, how would we even accomplish that? I can argue this point even goes further with that fact that other countries, who have their own domestic leagues, are catching up to and even surpassing the level of our U.S. WNT. Therefore, America needs to have WPS.
On a personal level, after having the experience of playing professionally both in America and overseas, I have really appreciated being able to play on my home soil. My family gets to see me play in person, rather than watching the highlights I would send them when I was in Iceland. Over the past few years, my fan base has grown. I love my fans. They deserve for me to be able to play in front of them and prove to them that I am capable of playing in WPS.
Soccer Banter: Before we take a look at your own struggles the past few years with injuries, on Monday USSF officially sanctioned WPS for the 2012 season, what were your emotions/thoughts the past month after signing with the Western New York Flash and then finding out there might not be a season?
Manya Makoski: When I went to play in Iceland, I made it my goal to work hard and get back to my game 100% because I wanted to play in WPS again in 2012. When I signed my contract with the Western New York Flash I was so ecstatic, but yet so humbled to even have the chance to play with and against the best players in the world again. When I found out that USSF was not going to sanction WPS as a D1 league I was so disappointed; for myself, for all of the non-national team players, and for all of our loyal fans. We have all worked so hard to get to this point and to have it taken away, for no legit reason at all, was heartbreaking. But with the help of all our awesome fans and WPS players voicing their feelings about the necessity of WPS being a D1 league to USSF, I knew that the sanctioning would happen.
SB: What does having the opportunity to play professional soccer, specifically in America, mean to you?
MM: Americans pride themselves on working the hardest and being the best in the world. Without a domestic league, how would we even accomplish that? I can argue this point even goes further with that fact that other countries, who have their own domestic leagues, are catching up to and even surpassing the level of our U.S. WNT. Therefore, America needs to have WPS.
On a personal level, after having the experience of playing professionally both in America and overseas, I have really appreciated being able to play on my home soil. My family gets to see me play in person, rather than watching the highlights I would send them when I was in Iceland. Over the past few years, my fan base has grown. I love my fans. They deserve for me to be able to play in front of them and prove to them that I am capable of playing in WPS.
SB: You played in the first WPS Final with the LA Sol, a team heavily favored to win that match against Jersey Sky Blue, but it wasn't to be that day, looking back now, what are your thoughts on that first season as a professional soccer player and then on losing that match?
MM: Everyday I think about my LA Sol and that WPS Final. I couldn't have asked for a more awesome experience. It was my first year as a professional. Before that I played a few years of semi-pro with many players that went on to play pro, and you think you know what "professionalism" means. But my first year as professional, with the LA Sol, is when I really learned. I am so grateful to have had such amazing teammates (who are still my good friends), management, coaching staff, trainers, and other staff.
I can't believe that I was starting at right back for a team of all-stars. It was so surreal to me, but I knew I belonged there because I worked hard to deserve that starting spot. I improved so much as a player and I learned about myself off of the field. I realized what I wanted out of my professional career and out of life.
It just wasn't our day for the WPS Final. I can list numerous reasons why we didn't win, but it will never justify it enough for me. We deserved that title, but that's the way soccer goes sometimes.
SB: That offseason the Sol folded, but you were picked up by the Atlanta Beat for the 2010 season. Unfortunately during preseason you tore your ACL and missed the entire season. Describe the roller coaster of emotions that 2010 was for you?
MM: In January 2010 I went to the WPS Draft and WPS Uniform Unveiling to model the away kit for LA Sol. Nothing seemed wrong at all. A few weeks later we found out that it was too late to salvage the team and therefore the organization had to fold. I still don't know all the details that went down with the situation and I don't want to know. Business is business.
Fortunately I was picked up for the Atlanta Beat in the Dispersal Draft. Given the circumstances, I was just grateful to still have a chance to play in the league. I knew some of the players that signed with the Beat, so I was excited to play with them. I worked hard in the offseason so I was ready for preseason with my new team. I played great the first four days and then boom, I tore my ACL. It was a freak occurrence that I never thought would happen to me. I decided to stay in Atlanta to have surgery and do my rehab. My trainer, Cookie, was awesome and I wouldn't have gotten through my rehab 100% if it wasn't for her. Sitting out for an entire season, especially when my team was struggling with their record, was one of the hardest things I have had to do. It was one of those situations where you are stuck knowing that if you were okay then you can help, but since you are not, then you can't do anything about it. But I did what I could from the sideline and I worked hard through my rehab.
At the end of 2010, I signed with Thor/KA in the Icelandic league after contemplating a return to the WPS. I knew it was in my best interest to play overseas and get that experience. I am happy that I went. I played well, got my confidence back, built up a strong tolerance to cold weather, and made some great international friends. Not many WPS players can say they played professionally in Iceland.
MM: Everyday I think about my LA Sol and that WPS Final. I couldn't have asked for a more awesome experience. It was my first year as a professional. Before that I played a few years of semi-pro with many players that went on to play pro, and you think you know what "professionalism" means. But my first year as professional, with the LA Sol, is when I really learned. I am so grateful to have had such amazing teammates (who are still my good friends), management, coaching staff, trainers, and other staff.
I can't believe that I was starting at right back for a team of all-stars. It was so surreal to me, but I knew I belonged there because I worked hard to deserve that starting spot. I improved so much as a player and I learned about myself off of the field. I realized what I wanted out of my professional career and out of life.
It just wasn't our day for the WPS Final. I can list numerous reasons why we didn't win, but it will never justify it enough for me. We deserved that title, but that's the way soccer goes sometimes.
SB: That offseason the Sol folded, but you were picked up by the Atlanta Beat for the 2010 season. Unfortunately during preseason you tore your ACL and missed the entire season. Describe the roller coaster of emotions that 2010 was for you?
MM: In January 2010 I went to the WPS Draft and WPS Uniform Unveiling to model the away kit for LA Sol. Nothing seemed wrong at all. A few weeks later we found out that it was too late to salvage the team and therefore the organization had to fold. I still don't know all the details that went down with the situation and I don't want to know. Business is business.
Fortunately I was picked up for the Atlanta Beat in the Dispersal Draft. Given the circumstances, I was just grateful to still have a chance to play in the league. I knew some of the players that signed with the Beat, so I was excited to play with them. I worked hard in the offseason so I was ready for preseason with my new team. I played great the first four days and then boom, I tore my ACL. It was a freak occurrence that I never thought would happen to me. I decided to stay in Atlanta to have surgery and do my rehab. My trainer, Cookie, was awesome and I wouldn't have gotten through my rehab 100% if it wasn't for her. Sitting out for an entire season, especially when my team was struggling with their record, was one of the hardest things I have had to do. It was one of those situations where you are stuck knowing that if you were okay then you can help, but since you are not, then you can't do anything about it. But I did what I could from the sideline and I worked hard through my rehab.
At the end of 2010, I signed with Thor/KA in the Icelandic league after contemplating a return to the WPS. I knew it was in my best interest to play overseas and get that experience. I am happy that I went. I played well, got my confidence back, built up a strong tolerance to cold weather, and made some great international friends. Not many WPS players can say they played professionally in Iceland.
SB: After a full year of rehab, this past season you played overseas in Iceland. What made you decide to leave WPS? How would you compare the level in Iceland to American soccer? How was the experience of being one of the few 'foreign' players?
MM: I knew that after my injury, WPS coaches would be unsure of my playing ability. I needed to prove myself somewhere else before heading back to WPS. Heading to Iceland was a perfect opportunity and it was the right time to do it.
The style of play in Iceland is very different than American soccer. It is very, very physical and super direct. I played forward for the season, so it was a lot of running for me. But I was able to work on my speed of play and being more physical (the refs hardly called fouls, so any late tackles were looked past). My roommate and I worked on a lot of technical stuff on our own. Training sessions and the way clubs are organized and run were very different than what I was used to in WPS.
Being one of the few "foreign" players for a season gave me a new appreciation and understanding of what foreigners go through in WPS. Luckily, mostly everyone spoke English over there, but a lot of the time I was still in the dark as to what was going on. Icelandic is a very hard language to learn. Eventually, I was able to pick up certain soccer terms. Iceland did not have a lot of the food and coffee places, like Starbucks, that I was used to, so it took some time to adjust to that as well.
SB: You recently signed with the 2011 Champion Western New York Flash, how did this come about and what are your thoughts on the upcoming season?
MM: Coach Aaran Lines had seen me play with the LA Sol, so he was interested in me playing with the Western New York Flash for the 2011 season, but with my injury in 2010, we both thought it was better for me to play overseas and work my way back up to 100%. After a successful season in Iceland, I had contacted Coach Lines again to see if it was a possibility to play with the Flash in the 2012 season. I am so grateful that he gave me another chance.
I am really excited for the upcoming season. I am working hard during this offseason in preparation for preseason. I am nervous but confident. I am just so grateful to play with the best players in the world and learn from them. I want to improve and be successful. Lastly, I am going to help the Flash win another WPS Championship Title.
MM: I knew that after my injury, WPS coaches would be unsure of my playing ability. I needed to prove myself somewhere else before heading back to WPS. Heading to Iceland was a perfect opportunity and it was the right time to do it.
The style of play in Iceland is very different than American soccer. It is very, very physical and super direct. I played forward for the season, so it was a lot of running for me. But I was able to work on my speed of play and being more physical (the refs hardly called fouls, so any late tackles were looked past). My roommate and I worked on a lot of technical stuff on our own. Training sessions and the way clubs are organized and run were very different than what I was used to in WPS.
Being one of the few "foreign" players for a season gave me a new appreciation and understanding of what foreigners go through in WPS. Luckily, mostly everyone spoke English over there, but a lot of the time I was still in the dark as to what was going on. Icelandic is a very hard language to learn. Eventually, I was able to pick up certain soccer terms. Iceland did not have a lot of the food and coffee places, like Starbucks, that I was used to, so it took some time to adjust to that as well.
SB: You recently signed with the 2011 Champion Western New York Flash, how did this come about and what are your thoughts on the upcoming season?
MM: Coach Aaran Lines had seen me play with the LA Sol, so he was interested in me playing with the Western New York Flash for the 2011 season, but with my injury in 2010, we both thought it was better for me to play overseas and work my way back up to 100%. After a successful season in Iceland, I had contacted Coach Lines again to see if it was a possibility to play with the Flash in the 2012 season. I am so grateful that he gave me another chance.
I am really excited for the upcoming season. I am working hard during this offseason in preparation for preseason. I am nervous but confident. I am just so grateful to play with the best players in the world and learn from them. I want to improve and be successful. Lastly, I am going to help the Flash win another WPS Championship Title.
SB: What is your best memory in the game of soccer so far?
MM: It is hard to pick the best one. I have played the game since I was 2 years old and every year has been different and I have played at various levels. But if I had to chose one it would be winning the first ever FIFA Under-19 World Cup Championship with the U.S. in 2002. It was an unbelievable experience.
SB: Who is the best player you ever played with and why?
MM: Aya Miyama from Japan. I played with her with the LA Sol in 2009, watched her everyday in the 2010 WPS season with the Atlanta Beat, and cheered for her in the 2011 Women's World Cup. She is so technical, is a student of the game, and has such a modest passion for the game. She has done things with the ball that I can only dream about.
SB: Who has been the hardest player for you to play against and why?
MM: Can I say the 200 pound Icelandic defender that kept kicking at my ankles? Just kidding. In the professional leagues, every player that I have played against has something special to their game, which makes it hard to play against. That's why they are professional. It wouldn't be fair for me to pinpoint one player and say she was the hardest to play against.
SB: Which 10 players would you want to share the field with in a game tomorrow?
MM: My favorite players to be on the field with.. 4-3-3 attacking formation
GK: Karina LeBlanc
LB: Leigh Ann Robinson
CB: Kia McNeill
CB: Allison Falk
RB: Me
DM: Camille Abily
LAM: Aya Miyama (Japan WNT)
RAM: McCall Zerboni
LF: Liz Bogus
CF: Mateja Zver (Slovenian WNT; played with her on Thor/KA Iceland)
RF: Tiffany Weimer
MM: It is hard to pick the best one. I have played the game since I was 2 years old and every year has been different and I have played at various levels. But if I had to chose one it would be winning the first ever FIFA Under-19 World Cup Championship with the U.S. in 2002. It was an unbelievable experience.
SB: Who is the best player you ever played with and why?
MM: Aya Miyama from Japan. I played with her with the LA Sol in 2009, watched her everyday in the 2010 WPS season with the Atlanta Beat, and cheered for her in the 2011 Women's World Cup. She is so technical, is a student of the game, and has such a modest passion for the game. She has done things with the ball that I can only dream about.
SB: Who has been the hardest player for you to play against and why?
MM: Can I say the 200 pound Icelandic defender that kept kicking at my ankles? Just kidding. In the professional leagues, every player that I have played against has something special to their game, which makes it hard to play against. That's why they are professional. It wouldn't be fair for me to pinpoint one player and say she was the hardest to play against.
SB: Which 10 players would you want to share the field with in a game tomorrow?
MM: My favorite players to be on the field with.. 4-3-3 attacking formation
GK: Karina LeBlanc
LB: Leigh Ann Robinson
CB: Kia McNeill
CB: Allison Falk
RB: Me
DM: Camille Abily
LAM: Aya Miyama (Japan WNT)
RAM: McCall Zerboni
LF: Liz Bogus
CF: Mateja Zver (Slovenian WNT; played with her on Thor/KA Iceland)
RF: Tiffany Weimer
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