I N T E R V I E W S
I Am
the Best Kept Secret
I Am the Best Kept Secret
Interview with Canadian soccer star Stephen Ademolu
Out of all the Canadian soccer players to come from Windsor, the best player has to be Stephen Ademolu. After university, Ademolu went straight to Europe playing for Trelleborgs, Tromso, Lov-Ham and Ekranas. He then signed for the Canadian Soccer League’s Windsor Stars in 2011 scoring 17 goals in 18 outings. Ademolu is currently a free agent and was recently named assistant men’s coach at the University of Windsor.

We recently caught up with him for a quick chat.
Djuradj Vujcic: Stephen, now that you are a free agent, where would you like to sign? I get the feeling that you still have more than enough gas in the tank for some more playing in Europe?

Stephen Ademolu: Yes, I’m a free agent right now. I got a lot left in the tank (laughs) but the game has changed and it’s not how good you are – it’s things I don’t even know anymore. But I’m going to keep on going until my knees give out on me. Like seriously, you look at my highlights and you don’t think I can play for any team in the MLS? It’s more than how good you are.

Djuradj Vujcic: You played in the Canadian Soccer League in 2011 and 2012. Has the league been improving? What are your thoughts on the league in general?

Stephen Ademolu: Well I didn’t know much about it before but there is a lot of potential in this league and a lot of players in this league have played in Europe at a high level. I don’t get why Canada’s national team or even Toronto FC wouldn’t pick up some of the players in this league. If we put an all-star team of CSL players against TFC, we would beat them for sure. Other than the referees – in particular the ones who are on a power high – it’s good. I also have to say that I understand what Canada is trying to do with female referees but I just want to say that it’s too soon to have them in the CSL.

Djuradj Vujcic: You signed for the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks in 2012. Did you get to play for them?

Stephen Ademolu: No. Due to the American system of applying for a Visa, I didn’t get a chance.

Djuradj Vujcic: What was it like representing Canada on five occasions? Was it a big honour?

Stephen Ademolu: It was great! The last time was the greatest experience ever. I played against Argentina and Venezuela. It was a great experience and makes me feel proud to know I was selected as the best in Canada to play against two big teams. I am the first person from my hometown who can say that they played against Argentina and I don’t mean in Playstation (laughs).

Djuradj Vujcic: What do you plan on doing after you retire?

Stephen Ademolu: I am planning on opening up an academy. It’s almost done and I believe it will change the game in Ontario and hopefully Canada. I’m very passionate about soccer and I feel this academy will lead generations to come the right way. There are a lot of things wrong with Canada in that a lot of the good players that have played in Europe should spread their knowledge but I will do my part.

Djuradj Vujcic: You played in UEFA Cup games against some pretty big teams. What was that like?

Stephen Ademolu: It was another great experience. Even scoring against Galatasaray – I mean, I’m in the history books in Turkey and they will forever know my name. I literally left my mark there. I’m proud of how far I came. I played against some big teams and to have people on the other team say I should play in a better league (especially after the Strasbourg UEFA Cup game) made me feel proud! I also got to play in the Champions League and again, how many players from Canada have done that? Well I am going to make sure with my academy that I won’t be one of a few.

Djuradj Vujcic: After studying and playing at Windsor, North Carolina and Cleveland, you made the move straight to Europe – signing with Trelleborgs in 2004. You did well there scoring 12 goals in 30 league outings. What was it like being a university kid from Canada playing in a foreign country? Are you happy that you went to school first or do you wish there was some sort of academy back then (like TFC Academy) to guide you in a slightly different direction?

Stephen Ademolu: It was so fun, coming from Cleveland State where we were partying and playing soccer to actually being able to say that I’m pro and people wanting to shake my hand, take pictures with me, being in the newspaper and signing a thousand autographs. It was a big shock but like my cousin Michael Carter who plays for the Montreal Alouettes says: we just work harder when things get harder and we love it. While I was at Cleveland State University the MLS wasn’t even on my radar. To be straight up with you, Toronto doesn’t really look at people from Windsor as much as we all would think. We get overlooked a lot and that’s just the culture. I mean, at 17 years old I was OYSL MVP of the Year and top goalscorer and never made the provincial team.

Djuradj Vujcic: What are your thoughts on the Canadian national team? Do you think you could help them out with your experience?

Stephen Ademolu: Well I’m disappointed because I know I can help and I’m not getting a chance. Steve Hart knew when I was playing that I would give my all and I would play any position asked of me. Any coach will tell you I’m a different breed of player. With my experience and my will to teach, HELL YEAH I would help but since I’m technically unattached it doesn’t make it any easier. Again, I can tell you just like this – and no disrespect to any Canadian national team player – but I am the best kept secret and there is only Dwayne De Rosario who I still consistently watch that brings more to the table than me. If I could get a chance than I could show people. I can do a shooting contest, a sprinting contest, crossing contest, first touch contest or anything-kind-of-contest for the national team and then people would see that I’m a problem on the field. A good problem to have though because I give you everything the right way.
Djuradj Vujcic,
journalist, translator and photographer
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Urban Book Circle® (UBC)
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Stephen Ademolu, soccer player
I N T E R V I E W S
Djuradj Vujcic,
journalist, translator and photographer
Out of all the Canadian soccer players to come from Windsor, the best player has to be Stephen Ademolu. After university, Ademolu went straight to Europe playing for Trelleborgs, Tromso, Lov-Ham and Ekranas. He then signed for the Canadian Soccer League’s Windsor Stars in 2011 scoring 17 goals in 18 outings. Ademolu is currently a free agent and was recently named assistant men’s coach at the University of Windsor.
Out of the many potential candidates, one name seems to stand out. That is the name of Miodrag Jesic, the first foreigner to be voted Bulgarian coach of the year.
Canadian-born forward Milan Beader recently signed
for the under-19 team of FK Rad in Belgrade, Serbia.
Canadian under-20 international Nikola Paunic recently signed on with the University of South Florida in NCAA.
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Paunovic retired from soccer in 2008 – ending his career where he had wished. In a black-and-white Partizan jersey. Three years later however, he came out of retirement for a surprise comeback with the Philadelphia Union. He retired at the end of that 2011 season. With his playing career now officially over, what does the future hold for the “Serb of Ben”?
We had the chance to talk with Ana in the Rogers media room right after the match. Ana talked about her injury problems, her new coaches/coaching methods and her plans to reach the number one spot once again.
Following Toronto FC’s already legendary match against the LA Galaxy, We had the opportunity to speak with TFC keeper Milos Kocic. Milos took the time to answer a few questions about himself, his career and the upcoming season.
Born in the Serbian capital of Belgrade on the 8th of January 1983, retired goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic is the first player to play for Canada’s top three clubs (Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC and Montreal Impact). We caught up with Srdjan who took some time to tell us about his new coaching position, his experiences playing in Canada and about the beautiful game through a keeper’s perspective.
Picture
Djuradj Vujcic, journalist, translator and photographer
I AM THE BEST KEPT SECRET
Interview with Canadian soccer star Stephen Ademolu by Djuradj Vujcic
All rights reserved 2013. Copyright © Djuradj Vujcic

Stephen Ademolu – photo by Stephen Ademolu
All rights reserved 2013. Copyright © Stephen Ademolu

Published November 22, 2013 on Urban Book Circle
Published November 22, 2013 on RedNation Online

Design & Artwork by Djuradj Vujcic
Illustrated by Sarah Riordan
Edited by Prvoslav Vujcic
and Deidre McAuliffe

All rights reserved 2013. Copyright © Urban Book Circle

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Published by Urban Book Circle on November 22, 2013
Urban Book Circle® (UBC)
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