USL Argentina In Talks: Darren Sawatzky

Warrior of a thousand battles, our guest this week in “USL Argentina In Talks” has a vast experience as a player and coach in the professional leagues of the United States. Darren Sawatzky now is in charge of Richmond Kickers, one of the most classics clubs in soccer.

Consulted by USL Argentina, Emiliano Terzaghi, argentine player in Richmond did not hesitate to define Darren as “a passionate coach” and so he talked with us about his visions and the passion he puts into “the beautiful game” world.

First of all we wanted to know how you are there in Richmond, how you have been managing the Covid situation and how the club has tried to help the community at this particular time?

Richmond is an incredible community and they have welcomed my family with open arms. The stay at home order has made things interesting as we have only been here a few months but we are healthy and working to help the community so everything is good.

How do you try from your role to keep players and staff focused and motivated?

We work hard daily to talk with players and we give them training to keep them as fit as possible. With each week, we adjust and work to learn and grow in the way we help players but this is certainly nothing we have dealt with in this profession before. We are very lucky though that the ownership group and leaders here have a long term vision and a community based approach. Our players have helped at FeedMore to help people get fed during this situation and staff and players have donated blood to the American Red Cross. Our ownership group has worked to help the community in many ways.

What things do you remember from your first steps as a soccer player, when did you realize that you wanted to be a professional?

I grew up in Federal Way, Washington and many athletes have come out of there. I fell in love with the game as a very young kid and never looked back. I am blessed to work in this profession but I am happy to put the work in that it takes to stay competitive.

You had a very varied career as a player and coach, you know about several leagues, having a career in that environment helps you in any way now in the locker room or the front office?

Being able to pass on knowledge gained through experience is rewarding. As a player turned coach, I think it’s so important to coach all levels and run as many training sessions with as many teams as you can. It prepares you for the harder times and you have different perspectives to draw from.

How was the jump from player to coach?

The first few years (during the preseason time period) were hard because you had always prepared mentally and physically to compete and it just ends. You have to find ways to compete and get that piece satisfied but it may be away from the locker room you now lead. Being a coach is completely different because you have to humble yourself and do everything you can to help the players and that sometimes means suppressing a behavior you had as a player.

Is there a player or coach that you admired?

Clive Charles was a great mentor for me because he connected to players personally. I was lucky to play for him at the University of Portland. I was also lucky to play for, then coach under, Brian Schmetzer in Seattle. Brian is under-rated, humble, and he lets his product speak for him. Again, I was lucky to be around him.

It is always said that the South American and Latino players has a plus of passion, have you noticed it both as a player and in your role as coach?

I think you find passion in all players that truly love and live the game. I have always liked players from Argentina having played with them in MLS and after going to Argentina and seeing the way they train and develop. We are happy to have Emiliano with us this year. I have also seen some amazing Mexican, Columbian, Brazilian, and Panamanian players. I think the best teams are built around diversity in the player pool but with the same passion and end goal. Developing culture takes time but without the passion, it is meaningless.

Richmond Kickers is a classic side in US SOCCER, how do you plan to bring back the most successful years to the club?

I am grateful for the opportunity to work to carry on the great history with the Richmond Kickers. We have a culture of expectation and accountability here, that in time, will yield results for our club. I look forward to that challenge every day.

What is lacking in soccer in the United States to make that leap in quality that gives it international recognition?

I am excited about McKennie, Pulisic, Reyna, Yedlin, Morris, Sargent, and so many other young players playing their trade as American players all over the world. It will be great to watch them mature into their top form along with so many others. As MLS and the USL continue to grow, this will also build the player pool. The future is on the uptick for players from the US and in the US in my opinion.

And to finish let’s talk about the leagues, how do you see the future of the USL, MLS and soccer in general in the USA, how do you see it?

This past few months has been something we haven’t seen in our lifetime. The owners of our team and so many others in this country have committed to the growth of the game for the long haul. We are all lucky to have this opportunity so I see the game growing and the leagues getting better and better in the years to come.