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Interview with American soccer player Andrew Wiedeman by Djuradj Vujcic
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“Andrew Wiedeman joined Toronto FC on July 13, 2012 in a trade that sent Julian de Guzman to FC Dallas. He scored his first professional goal in only his second appearance for TFC just five days later and quickly became a fan-favourite. His contract option (along with Jeremy Hall’s) was not picked up however on November 13, 2014. We recently caught up with Wiedeman to ask him ten questions about his time with Toronto.” – Djuradj Vujcic, Canadian journalist, editor-in-chief of the Urban Book Circle.
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Interview with American soccer player
Andrew Wiedeman
Andrew Wiedeman
Andrew
Wiedeman joined Toronto FC on July 13, 2012 in a trade that sent
Julian de Guzman to FC Dallas. He scored his first professional goal in
only his second appearance for TFC just five days later and quickly
became a fan-favourite. His contract option (along with Jeremy Hall’s)
was not picked up however on November 13, 2014. We recently caught up
with Wiedeman to ask him ten questions about his time with Toronto.
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Djuradj Vujcic: You spent two years with Toronto FC and witnessed many
ups and downs. What are your first thoughts when looking back (at your
time with the club)?
Andrew Wiedeman: Definitely a bit of a roller coaster ride but that’s par for the course in professional sports. Toronto is a very special city that I will always hold dear to my heart. I’ve made a lot of great friends and created some amazing memories there. As far as the club goes, I wish them nothing but the best. The fans deserve a great team and when TFC starts winning, the city will erupt and truly be the best place to play in MLS. Djuradj Vujcic: Do you feel that you were underutilized with TFC, especially this past season? |
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Andrew Wiedeman: I had very high hopes for my role with the club coming into the year and throughout preseason. Obviously I was disappointed when that role slowly diminished and eventually turned to nothing. I felt I had something to contribute to the club but ultimately the gaffer didn’t see it that way. Fair enough, that’s his decision. As a player you can just try to stay on an even keel. You’re never as good or as bad as anyone says so it’s important to stay confident and steady.
Djuradj Vujcic: How special was it playing alongside the likes of Danny Koevermans and Jermain Defoe?
Andrew Wiedeman: It’s always a great opportunity to play with players of that calibre and I felt I was able to learn a great deal from both. Not only are they quality players, but they’re great guys as well. Jermain definitely got a bad rap towards the end of the year. People were quick to jump the gun and call him out but the dude had a legitimate injury. He was playing hurt for a while, which I’m not sure people fully appreciate. He came to me one day after training asking about sports hernia symptoms because I had them a few years back. Sure enough, his symptoms were textbook. He left back to England for treatment soon after and people blew up. I’m not sure he deserved all the criticism he received.
Djuradj Vujcic: You are well-liked in Toronto and could be spotted at various charity events and happenings. You are down-to-earth and show people respect. How important is this to you?
Andrew Wiedeman: It’s extremely important. At the end of the day, it’s all about how you are as a human being. I pride myself on being a pretty approachable, down-to-earth guy. I’m privileged to do what I do for a living so whenever there’s an opportunity to use that position for something positive, I’m all for it. My Mom always tells me that she’s proud of how hard I’ve worked to achieve my dream but she’s even more proud of the person I’ve become. That’s the biggest compliment I can get.
Djuradj Vujcic: Can the coaching styles of Ryan Nelsen and Greg Vanney be compared? Which style suited you most?
Andrew Wiedeman: They both had different approaches to the game. I think Nelly was more concerned with what we were doing internally while Vanney seemed to approach the game from a more tactical standpoint depending on the opponent. With Nelly, we would take the stance that, if we played our game then we would win matches. Vanney was more analytical and would break down the opponent via film and then create an individualized game plan each week. I was more comfortable with Nelly’s system because we played a 4-4-2 primarily and I played forward under him where I’m more comfortable. Interestingly enough, I think the two of them would actually complement each other pretty well and could form a great coaching partnership.
Djuradj Vujcic: What was your relationship with Paul Mariner like?
Andrew Wiedeman: Great. Paul is an awesome guy. He wears his heart on his sleeve and just wants the best for everyone around him. He instills confidence in all of his players and will stand up for them – to a fault. He’s the definition of a player’s coach. He’s somebody you want to go to war with.
Djuradj Vujcic: How cool was it to score against Tottenham?
Andrew Wiedeman: It definitely ranks in the top five goals of my career.
Djuradj Vujcic: Do you feel that TFC is heading in the right direction?
Andrew Wiedeman: I think for them to truly be successful, the turnover needs to stop. There’s a recipe for success in this league. Keep a core group of players together. Sure you have to endure a few years of struggle but eventually those teams find success. Just look at New England this year. I think what’s tough for TFC is that they’ve missed the playoffs eight years in a row and everyone is restless. So now the club feels like they have to go for gold every season and that’s not necessarily the way to find success in this league. After eight years of underperforming it’s hard to tell fans, “Hey, we might struggle for two more years but it will pay off. Bear with us.” And it’s hard for the F.O. to take that approach given the turnover at the club. That approach is not conducive with job security.
Djuradj Vujcic: What part of Toronto did you like most?
Andrew Wiedeman: I’m gonna go real specific on this one – everything. That city truly was home for me for the past two and a half years.
Djuradj Vujcic: What are your plans like? How far ahead do you plan in the future?
Andrew Wiedeman: Well I’m about to go to eat lunch and go Christmas shopping in Santa Monica, California. So as of right now, I’m planning about 45 minutes into the future. I’m trying to decide if I want to eat and then go to the beach or go to the beach and then eat. Football will sort itself.
Djuradj Vujcic: How special was it playing alongside the likes of Danny Koevermans and Jermain Defoe?
Andrew Wiedeman: It’s always a great opportunity to play with players of that calibre and I felt I was able to learn a great deal from both. Not only are they quality players, but they’re great guys as well. Jermain definitely got a bad rap towards the end of the year. People were quick to jump the gun and call him out but the dude had a legitimate injury. He was playing hurt for a while, which I’m not sure people fully appreciate. He came to me one day after training asking about sports hernia symptoms because I had them a few years back. Sure enough, his symptoms were textbook. He left back to England for treatment soon after and people blew up. I’m not sure he deserved all the criticism he received.
Djuradj Vujcic: You are well-liked in Toronto and could be spotted at various charity events and happenings. You are down-to-earth and show people respect. How important is this to you?
Andrew Wiedeman: It’s extremely important. At the end of the day, it’s all about how you are as a human being. I pride myself on being a pretty approachable, down-to-earth guy. I’m privileged to do what I do for a living so whenever there’s an opportunity to use that position for something positive, I’m all for it. My Mom always tells me that she’s proud of how hard I’ve worked to achieve my dream but she’s even more proud of the person I’ve become. That’s the biggest compliment I can get.
Djuradj Vujcic: Can the coaching styles of Ryan Nelsen and Greg Vanney be compared? Which style suited you most?
Andrew Wiedeman: They both had different approaches to the game. I think Nelly was more concerned with what we were doing internally while Vanney seemed to approach the game from a more tactical standpoint depending on the opponent. With Nelly, we would take the stance that, if we played our game then we would win matches. Vanney was more analytical and would break down the opponent via film and then create an individualized game plan each week. I was more comfortable with Nelly’s system because we played a 4-4-2 primarily and I played forward under him where I’m more comfortable. Interestingly enough, I think the two of them would actually complement each other pretty well and could form a great coaching partnership.
Djuradj Vujcic: What was your relationship with Paul Mariner like?
Andrew Wiedeman: Great. Paul is an awesome guy. He wears his heart on his sleeve and just wants the best for everyone around him. He instills confidence in all of his players and will stand up for them – to a fault. He’s the definition of a player’s coach. He’s somebody you want to go to war with.
Djuradj Vujcic: How cool was it to score against Tottenham?
Andrew Wiedeman: It definitely ranks in the top five goals of my career.
Djuradj Vujcic: Do you feel that TFC is heading in the right direction?
Andrew Wiedeman: I think for them to truly be successful, the turnover needs to stop. There’s a recipe for success in this league. Keep a core group of players together. Sure you have to endure a few years of struggle but eventually those teams find success. Just look at New England this year. I think what’s tough for TFC is that they’ve missed the playoffs eight years in a row and everyone is restless. So now the club feels like they have to go for gold every season and that’s not necessarily the way to find success in this league. After eight years of underperforming it’s hard to tell fans, “Hey, we might struggle for two more years but it will pay off. Bear with us.” And it’s hard for the F.O. to take that approach given the turnover at the club. That approach is not conducive with job security.
Djuradj Vujcic: What part of Toronto did you like most?
Andrew Wiedeman: I’m gonna go real specific on this one – everything. That city truly was home for me for the past two and a half years.
Djuradj Vujcic: What are your plans like? How far ahead do you plan in the future?
Andrew Wiedeman: Well I’m about to go to eat lunch and go Christmas shopping in Santa Monica, California. So as of right now, I’m planning about 45 minutes into the future. I’m trying to decide if I want to eat and then go to the beach or go to the beach and then eat. Football will sort itself.
Djuradj Vujcic,
Canadian journalist, editor-in-chief of the Urban Book Circle
Canadian journalist, editor-in-chief of the Urban Book Circle
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Circle UBC® – an online magazine of applied literature and traditional arts – of the Urban Book Circle®
Djuradj Vujcic,
journalist,
co-founder and owner, editor-in-chief of the Urban Book Circle
journalist,
co-founder and owner, editor-in-chief of the Urban Book Circle
Djuradj Vujcic,
journalist,
co-founder and owner, editor-in-chief of the Urban Book Circle
journalist,
co-founder and owner, editor-in-chief of the Urban Book Circle
Djuradj Vujcic,
journalist,
co-founder and owner, editor-in-chief of the Urban Book Circle
journalist,
co-founder and owner, editor-in-chief of the Urban Book Circle
Photograph of the year for 2008 and was featured in the Ontario Foundation’s survey of Canadian Photography titled Photography, Vol. 1 (2008).
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Djuradj Vujcic,
the youngest Canadian journalist in Canadian sports journalism history 
Circle UBC – an online magazine of applied literature and traditional arts – of the Urban Book Circle publishes interviews with renowned athletes and also publishes sports columns by Djuradj Vujcic,
the youngest Canadian journalist in Canadian sports journalism history
and the recipient of the prestigious Literary Guild Award in 2009.
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Note: The Urban Book Circle does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comments, you acknowledge that the Urban Book Circle has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that comments are moderated and published according to our Terms and Conditions.
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Interview with American soccer player Andrew Wiedeman by Djuradj Vujcic
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- Lauren O’Keefe | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | March 25, 2015
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· Interview & Photographs: Djuradj Vujcic / All rights reserved 2015. Copyright © Djuradj Vujcic ·
· Photos of Andrew Wiedeman courtesy of Andrew Wiedeman ·
· Photo of Samuel Beckett’s bookshelf in the study of his apartment at the Boulevard St Jacques in Paris courtesy of John Minihan / All rights reserved 1985. Copyright © John Minihan ·
· Published on Urban Book Circle · Published on RedNation Online ·
· Design & Artwork by Djuradj Vujcic and Prvoslav Vujcic · Illustrated by Sarah Riordan and Deidre McAuliffe ·
· Edited by Djuradj Vujcic, Prvoslav Vujcic, Deidre McAuliffe, Sarah Riordan and Danijela Kovacevic Mikic ·
· Edited by Djuradj Vujcic, Prvoslav Vujcic, Deidre McAuliffe, Sarah Riordan and Danijela Kovacevic Mikic ·
All rights reserved 2015. Copyright © Urban Book Circle®
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Last updated on March 25, 2015.
Published by Urban Book Circle on December 22, 2014 Urban Book Circle® (UBC) |
