

Posted by

Armen Bedakian ,

December 19, 2013 Email

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Remember Nicholas Lindsay?



The young TFC Academy graduate burst onto the scene back in 2010 and immediately made a name for himself. His powerful and confident runs on the wing and his fearless approach to playing against MLS veterans was a breath of fresh air for a team known for its cautious approach in the attack.



RedNation Online caught up with Lindsay, who updated us on what he’s been up to, his new team, recovering from a season-ending injury and finding happiness with life after Toronto FC.



“I signed a nice deal with Burlington SC in the CSL, and it’s been a lot of fun!” said Lindsay, when asked what he did after leaving the club. “The staff, the teammates, they all welcomed me with open arms. I had a great year there, I was able to get 11 goals, a lot of assists and do well for the club. I had a great time.”



Burlington is a new franchise in the Canadian Soccer League, and one that Lindsay helped kick off. He scored the first goal in the club’s history, but also coaches the U10, U12 and U14 kids’ teams. Come January, Lindsay will also help with coaching with the Burlington SC Academy.



When Lindsay played with Toronto FC, he was one of the first TFC Academy players to make his way to the senior roster. He handled that transition with his trademark positivity.



“It was a lot of fun, moulding myself into a pro,” said Lindsay. “I had a lot of older pros that took me in with open arms, De Rosario, de Guzman, a lot of older veterans who knew what it took to play at a high level. I really appreciated their help teaching me.”



But a bright start soon turned into a dark reality. Lindsay was injured in a snowmobiling accident, ruling him out of the 2011 season. One year later, he returned to full fitness, but he found it difficult to find a chance under new management.



“I’m a fighter, I’m someone who’s never going to give up or give in,” said Lindsay. “I came back within a year, playing 100 per cent. The way it happened wasn’t as I thought I would have expected, because when you had other guys like Adrian Cann or other people who came back from injuries, they had that shot to jump right back into the line up. Unfortunately, the coach at the time, he didn’t want me in the line up.”



“After starting off the season when I signed with three goals, three assists in three games, I really made headlines, but coming back from the injury, I just never had that shot,” Lindsay continued. “The only time was that last game against Santos Laguna and there was five minutes left in the game and the coach wanted to put me in, but even that game, I wasn’t even supposed to go in. The coach and GM at the time got into a huge argument, and then I was told, ‘okay Nick, go warm up.’”



Lindsay believed that, having recovered from his injury and showing so well before picking it up, he deserved a shot at proving himself once more. Five minutes at the end of a match was not enough, though, and Paul Mariner released Lindsay at the end of the season.“



“I was disappointed,” said Lindsay. “I really for sure thought there would be a fair chance given because you can’t base playing in practice, it’s going to be in the game, that’s when you’re going to show what it takes and I thought I’d be given that chance to really show this team, ‘hey guys, I’m back, I’m 100 per cent, I’m ready to go!’ but things didn’t happen that way.”



Lindsay lamented on the lack of a chance, repeating several times that he was 100 per cent fit and ready to play. Those words fell on deaf ears.



“When Paul [Mariner] was there, he never said a word to me, to be honest with you,” said Lindsay. “Throughout the whole time I was there, he really never even looked at me, talked to me, he never spoke to me at all.”



“I was hungry. I was ready. I saw how bad the club was doing and knew that stepping in I could make something happen. Not being able to get that shot was disappointing,” he continued.



“Even when I spoke to Paul, I was the person who had to come to him and say ‘listen, I’m ready to go,’ and his first words were ‘okay, we’ll get you in the academy and then you’ll be ready to play with the first team,’ but nothing ever happened,” said Lindsay. “You know what you can do and the qualities you possess and not being able to express that with Toronto FC was very disappointing.”



It’s not the only thing about the team that disappointed him, though.



“Aside from that, I guess having nobody really there for you,” Lindsay said. “When I had my meeting at the end of the season, only Earl Cochrane was there with me. There was no Jason Bent, there was nobody. It was disappointing but at the same time, I’m a person who never holds grudges. I forgive and forget. I wish them all the best.”



“Jason Bent, Danny Dichio, Jim Brennan, Ryan Nelsen – the new coach there – I wish them all the best,” said Lindsay. “I really am thankful for Danny Dichio and even Stewart [Kerr], the goalie coach, he would pull me aside sometimes and he spoke to me about things I could work on. Jim Brennan as well, for letting me know ‘listen, Nick, all you need is a preseason and you’ll be ready.’ I’m very thankful for those people.”



In Burlington SC, Lindsay has found that chance to shine once more.



“They’ve been awesome, they’ve been great!” said Lindsay, of his new club. “They’ve given me that confidence and that chance to really show what I can do. I really appreciated all the coaches’ help, everything they’ve done for me, it’s really been a blessing.”



A blessing, one that Lindsay has never taken for granted. His faith is a major part of his character and a driving force in his professional and personal life.



“Soccer, family, everything in life, God comes first,” said Lindsay. “That’s one thing I’ve been taught growing up and that’s one thing that has really helped me throughout my career and in my life in general. I’ve been dependant on God and Jesus Christ is my Lord and saviour, he’s the King of kings and Lord of lords. I love having him in my life and sharing the Gospel.



“It’s something I’m really passionate about,” Lindsay continued. “I also go to a Men’s Bible study every Monday and we talk about God and how we have to make sure he is the first priority.”



“Playing with TFC, playing with Burlington, it really, truly is a blessing, and without God none of it would have happened,” said Lindsay.



He recalls his days at Toronto FC with fondness. For Lindsay, more than most, playing for Toronto FC was indeed a dream come true.



“When I was a young kid watching Toronto FC on the coach when I first started out, I said to myself, ‘listen, I want to do whatever it takes to play for that club.’ I accomplished that in the end. I really do wish a fair chance would have been made because we went through a lot of coaches, and when Nick Dasovic was there, he really gave me a fair shot.”



He also remembers the stands at BMO Field



“Putting on that jersey every day and getting into training, it was more than just playing soccer. It was making sure I could do the best I can for this wonderful city that we live in,” said Lindsay. “Bringing success to Toronto was my first and only goal, and I loved that. With TFC, the fans were amazing, I really, truly admire their support and I’m really thankful for all the support they’ve given me and the team.”



His favourite memory of Toronto FC was his first game with the club.



“I still have the jersey at home!” said Lindsay. “That’s pretty memorable, being able to know that, wow, this is your first game ever, that you’re going to be playing pro and know that you’ve accomplished something but it’s only the beginning.”



“To put that jersey on, to put the boots on, the shin pads, I mean, it’s an honour,” said Lindsay. “It was something I’ll never forget.”



He also recalls a particularly impressive bit of production during his playing time.



“I still remember the D.C. United game, where we won and I got that assist as well with De Rosario!” said Lindsay. “The way we came back and won that game, it’s still in my head, like it was yesterday. Definitely a moment I’ll never forget.”



So, has Lindsay found happiness with life after Toronto FC?



“God is all I need in this life, to be honest with you. He brings me all my happiness and my joy!” said Lindsay. “I’m at such a happy place. Life is too short to think about what could have happened or how things were done. You need to put life into perspective: There are a lot of people who are struggling right now.”



Lindsay has found new callings, too, whether it be feeding the homeless on Mondays with his friends or working in barbershops.



“I’m really at a happy place in my life, never been happier playing for a great club in Burlington and being healthy.” said Lindsay. “Burlington really over-exceeded my expectations. I’m really happy, I’m at a great place in my life!” Related: ‪Life After Toronto FC: Andrea Lombardo