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Kassel's professional future coming into focus

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

EAST RUTHERFORD -- Talk to most 17-year-olds about the possibility of making the jump from high school to professional soccer and they'll either laugh at the unlikelihood of such a move or gush over the possibility of living a dream.

Matt Kassel simply smiles and speaks confidently when asked about turning pro, in part because it is a question he hears more and more each day. Kassel hears it not just because he's regarded as the jewel of the Red Bulls' youth system, but because changes in MLS policy will allow the Red Bulls to sign Kassel right out of high school in time for the 2008 MLS season.

A versatile midfielder equally adept at attacking from a central role or from either wing, Kassel is the best player on the Red Bulls Under-18 and a starter for the U.S. Under-18 national team despite being a year younger than most teammates.

"One of the first things we as a coaching staff see in Matt is that he looks like a pro right now in almost every facet of his game," said Red Bulls Under-18 head coach Paul O'Donnell. "We're basically dealing with kids but everything (Kassel) does is moving him in the right direction."

Kassel is hardly a stranger to the world of professional soccer. Being the son of former MetroStars vice president Tim Kassel gave the younger Kassel access to things most young fans could only dream of. Whether it was watching World Cup matches as a 4-year-old (his father ran the Giants Stadium venue for the 1994 World Cup), making his way into Real Madrid's locker room for some autographs or having family friend Charlie Stillitano organizing a training session with Manchester United that left the English club genuinely interested in him, Kassel knows he has already enjoyed a charmed soccer life.

"Some of the things I've gotten to experience have been really fun and they've made me love the sport even more," said Kassel. "Being around it and seeing it at high levels just makes me hungrier to get to that level.

"It's definitely a dream for me to play the game at the highest levels and make a career off it. That's what I want to do."

Kassel's first exposure to being a player in a professional environment came two summers ago when he went on a 10-day training stint with Manchester United. He trained and played alongside the likes of Roy Kean, Paul Scholes, Tim Howard and Clifton native Giuseppe Rossi and did well enough to earn an offer to join Manchester United's youth system as a 15-year old. The only problem was that he couldn't secure a work permit or European passport.

"When you're walking in to have lunch and Roy Keane is standing in front of you in line it's pretty nice," Kassel said of his England experience. "It was a dream come true.

"It was tough missing out on that but it was understandable," Kassel said of not being able to sign with Manchester United. "I knew if I kept working I would get another opportunity and that's what I'm hoping to do here with the Red Bulls."

In the two years since, Kassel has blossomed into a well-rounded attacking midfielder who can score from anywhere on the field. He has emerged as the leading scorer on the Red Bulls' highly regarded Under-18 team, scoring goals in each of the team's three games at the Region 1 championships last weekend.

"He will do exactly what you want him to without asking a question," O'Donnell said. "Not every player is like that unfortunately. By being coach-able, that's one step in the right direction. We've told him that there are certain parts of his game that need works and he takes that and works on those parts of his game."

Kassel will enter his senior year at Bridgewater-Raritan High School knowing he will have the choice between playing in college or embarking on his professional career right away. He has already committed to play for Maryland, but college soccer is far from a sure thing at this point.

"It's definitely going to be a real tough decision for me," Kassel said. "I know people tell me college is the greatest time, but if I'm going to college then I'm going for soccer to be honest. That's my focus."

Kassel won't have to wait too long to see what it would be like to be on the Red Bulls' senior team. Plans are under way to get him some training sessions with the club to see just how close to ready he is. Kassel can't wait.

"For any guy my age you're going to get a little nervous in the first couple of sessions," Kassel said. "But I think I'll be able to fit in fine with the guys and show people that I can play with these guys and do my thing."

Major League Soccer's changes in policy, which were implemented to encourage teams to invest in player development, will allow the Red Bulls to sign two players from its youth system before the 2008 season. While there are a handful of prospects who could be considered candidates, Kassel is the clear front-runner to be signed. Listen to him talk and it sounds as if he is leaning strongly toward making the jump and going from fan to pro.

"If I can get a good offer and a decent contract then I would definitely jump at the chance to be on a team with these guys and train with people like Claudio Reyna and work with Bruce Arena then that would be a great experience," Kassel said. "I've learned so much and had a great time playing for the Red Bull on the youth level and being the first to make that job would be something special."

Listen to Red Bulls youth coaches and they insist Kassel is the perfect player to make that jump and be the first official graduate of the best youth program in Major League Soccer.

Szetela gaining attention

Clifton native Danny Szetela is back on the radars of European clubs and has helped his cause after scoring the U.S. Under-20 national team's lone goal in its 1-1 tie against South Korea on Saturday.

Italian club Parma, Scottish club Glasgow Rangers and Turkish club Galatasaray have made contact with Szetela's representatives and the Columbus Crew midfielder looks like a safe bet to sign a pre-contract at some point this summer.

Szetela is in the final year of his current MLS contract and has been free to negotiate with other teams as of July 1. One team that hasn't been in contact yet is English club Everton, which came close to signing Szetela before he signed with MLS in 2004.

"If he has another two games like his first game then he's gone," one source close to Szetela said on Monday. "He had a good first game and teams are definitely interested."

Szetela and the U.S. Under-20 national team will face Poland today in Under-20 World Cup action.