Adventure in America: A Pusterer dreams of Messi & Co.

The path to professional football rarely resembles a perfectly straight, paved road. It's usually a winding path full of potholes, where you have to take detours to reach your ultimate goal. In Fabian Straudi's case, these detours are enormous—in the truest sense of the word.

To fulfill his dream, the 24-year-old from Pustertal is currently playing in Oregon, a state in the northwest of the USA, almost 9.000 kilometers from his hometown of St. Georgen. The midfielder has been a member of the Oregon State University college soccer team for four years. Straudi's goal is clear: He wants to play his way into the spotlight in Major League Soccer, or MLS for short. And thus join the ranks of stars like Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Thomas Müller (Vancouver), and others.

Lionel Messi is the big star in the MLS. © APA / IRA L. BLACK

But first things first. Fabian Straudi is certainly no stranger to local football. Growing up at FC Südtirol, he, like his older brother Simon (who last played in the Austrian Bundesliga), was drawn to Werder Bremen as a youth. There, the talented Fabian progressed through various youth teams and dreamed of the Bundesliga. But things turned out differently. "In 2021, the championship ended prematurely due to the coronavirus pandemic, and my contract was not renewed," explains Straudi.

A call that changed everything What's next? That was the question the then 20-year-old was asking himself. Then a surprise phone call came at just the right time. "A player agent contacted me and opened up the possibility for me in the USA. And after a conversation with the coach in Oregon, it became clear to me relatively quickly that I wanted to embark on this adventure." In October 2021, Straudi finally found himself on a plane – with a full scholarship in his luggage. "Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to afford it. A year of study here normally costs tens of thousands of dollars," Straudi said.

Fabian Straudi has had a strong season.

It's worth noting that the football world ticks differently in the United States than in Europe. There's no traditional club system in the US; instead, the best young players flock to colleges, which serve as a springboard to the top league (MLS). Like in ice hockey or American football, there's an annual draft in which MLS clubs select the best players and give them a chance to earn a spot on the team. “I would like to stay in the USA for a few more years, preferably as a professional.” Fabian Straudi Fabian Straudi is also hoping for that – especially because he's in really good shape. "The college season is very short, lasting only from August to the beginning of December at the most. In 2021 – when I came to Oregon – I only played a few games. In the two years that followed, I struggled with injuries more often, but last season went well for me." The numbers prove it: two goals, twelve assists – those are strong numbers. Straudi even set a university record by scoring in nine consecutive games. "I was hoping to get drafted, but unfortunately, it didn't happen. So I'm giving it another try this year."

Away games by plane The season, which begins at the end of August, will be a special one for Straudi anyway. "It's my last year at this college," says the 24-year-old, who wants to go as far as possible with his team. "The goal is to qualify for the playoffs. There, 64 colleges will compete for the championship. Two years ago, we reached the semifinals," explains the Pustertal native. Another special feature of this championship is the long travel distances. So, it often happens that Straudi and his team have to fly to the other side of the USA for an away game.

Straudi feels right at home in the USA.

Fabian Straudi still dreams of professional soccer. But what if things don't work out in the MLS or the second-tier USL? "Then I'd probably look for a job here. While I'm playing soccer, I'm studying kinesiology at university. Later, I'd like to work as an athletic trainer. In any case, I could well imagine staying in the USA for a few more years – ideally as a professional soccer player."

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Adventure in America: A Pusterer dreams of Messi & Co.

Nine thousand kilometers from his hometown, Fabian Straudi from Pustertal is fighting for his dream of becoming a professional footballer. And of one day being able to play against Lionel Messi, Thomas Müller, and the like.

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