Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

July 16, 2016 Twitter

@HarJournalist

Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device





VANCOUVER, B.C - As an avid MLS supporter you may be familiar with the MLS anti-discrimination campaign 'Don't Cross the Line'. The MLS initiative looks to eliminate discrimination, bias, prejudice and harassment and in turn wants to provide an environment where supporters, clubs, players, and MLS staff are treated with dignity and respect. Unfortunately, sometimes this isn't always the case.



On Friday, July 8 following a nil-nil draw between Orlando City SC and the Houston Dynamo at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. Lions midfielder Antonio Nocerino was involved in an intense argument with a group of Orlando City SC supporters after the match.



Below is video of the incident filmed by Orlando City SC fan Nicholas @WilkenNick.



Nocerino arguing with the supporters pic.twitter.com/CtKVKjPeEw — Nicholas (@WilkenNick) July 9, 2016 As Orlando City gets set to take on Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place tonight. Nocerino spoke to Red Nation Online and wanted clarify what had happened. The former Italian international spoke in broken English as he explained why he was so upset and what in his opinion ultimately crossed the line.



"A person said (something) for my mother, no. I no have a mother. One year for my mother I no have. I understand if I play no good. You pay the ticket, it's no problem. Nocerino is a expletive, it's no problem, it doesn't matter. Not my family, understand. I play good or no good, you speak with me, not with my mother, daddy, or with the kids, no. I understand if I play good or no good, it's no problem, ok. I have a personality of playing with pressure or no pressure, for me it's no problem. The problem is the respect. The family is very important for me. It's no problem to speak to me man to man, speak is easy, no problem. Why you speak about my mother? Why? It's the player Antonio Nocerino, not my mother. I don't understand, I no like. It's no good."



Both of Nocerino's parents passed away last year. The loss of any family member is extremely tough for anyone, professional athletes aren't emotionally bullet proof and deal with grief just as you or anyone else would. Nocerino's play with Orlando has not been where it should be, but that leaves no excuse for a personal verbal attack on his family.



Whitecaps goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi spent time in the Italian Primavera system with Inter. He recognizes that fan interaction that crosses the line in Italy is much different than in MLS. The vast majority of MLS supporters from across the league are respectful, polite, kind, and terrific fans. It's only when a few fans cross the line that you have a problem. Tornaghi has not himself had a problem.



"No, No. I think one of the beautiful things about MLS and North American sports, it's very respectful for the players and I didn't have any bad experience. I remember some games when we are warming up maybe you hear some jokes, but nothing I can become offended."



The 28 year-old, Milan native personally knows how hard it is for a European player to come over to MLS and fit in. When a player with the calibre of a Giovinco, Pirlo, Lampard, Gerrard, Kaka, and of course Nocerino come in on a high wage and don't produce... fans get upset. People get impatient and eventually it can start to bother some footballers. Tornaghi agrees that it's not as easy as it looks.



"Yeah that's for sure, he's (Nocerino) coming from Europe and it's completely different. I lived through it myself coming here during the season. After a couple of months in Europe, the season is over so your body needs to rest. Here you play all summer long so there is a moment that you feel really tired coming from Europe and maybe your performances are not very good. That's why maybe people start to criticize."



The Euro 2012 runner-up with Italy is still adjusting to MLS. Playing in MLS is a completely different style of play to what Nocerino is familiar with in Serie A and England. MLS is a league with more physical play, the technical skill level is not there from top to bottom. A lot of teams play a long ball and look to attack with speed on the counter instead of holding the ball and gradually advancing up the pitch.



"Soccer is the same in the whole world", said Nocerino. "There is no difference if it is played in Italy, in England or any other country. In my opinion, the problem lies in the mistake of thinking that when we come here, we are not prepared, but that is not the case. The ball is the same, the pitch is the same, and the game is the same. Therefore I think the problem lies in having confidence in the capability of the soccer player, but we are able to bring a lot of experience and another type of mentality which is important. We have played in Europe, and Europe is at the top level. Therefore, once you have played in that top level, you can help the young players to better themselves. Therefore self-confidence is the most important as I think ultimately, there is not much difference and the only thing I would like to stress is that soccer is the same everywhere."



Off the pitch, players have to look at fitting into a new community. Finding schools for the kids, just trying to navigate in a new city can be a challenge, especially if you don't know the language. Travel is certainly something that catches players from Europe by surprise. Taking a train or a bus to an away fixture is common place. Flying five hours from Newark, New Jersey to Vancouver on a Thursday night is out of the norm. Nocerino again, isn't complaining. It's a life he picked and just part of the job he loves.



"No, travel is nice. I feel fortunate because I am doing what I like and I visit many countries and I love doing this. Soccer is my life and therefore travel is just a part of the job I have decided to do."



The 31 year-old Nocerino is able to get advice and find friendship with other MLS Italian players who have come over from Serie A. Sebastian Giovinco, Andrea Pirlo, and Marco Donadel have all been in the same boat as Nocerino and together it can be easier to work through the growing pains of being in a new league and all the new experiences that come with it.



"I talk a lot to them," revealed Nocerino. "And I repeat, we all have the same idea. We hear that MLS is tough, MLS is this, MLS is that.... well I have played in the Champions League, in the Europa League, I played in Serie A and the national championship, and I repeat, soccer is the same everywhere. There is the ball, the pitch, the goal and it is self-confidence that makes the difference because we can help, give something to everybody, with our presence in the field, at practice and even here... but this is important. The body does not rule the mind... it is the mind which rules the body, therefore if the mind is strong, you can play everywhere and I have been fortunate to play everywhere."



Orlando comes into the match against Vancouver with a 4-5-9 record. A win for Lions tonight could potentially boost them back into an MLS Eastern Conference playoff spot. It won't be easy as Kaka (Injury), Brek Shea (Suspension), Carlos Rivas (Visa Issues), Harrison Heath (Injury), Pedro Ribeiro (Injury), Rafael Ramos (Injury), and Tony Reeding (Injury) will all be unavailable for selection.



The Lions have not scored an MLS away goal in since a May 29, 2-2 draw against New York City FC. Since then, Coach Adrian Heath was sacked on July 6 and Bobby Murphy was named interim head coach. Orlando has yet to score a goal since the departure of Heath and needs to find any sort of momentum.



The Naples born Nocerino has played a lot of football in his career and has watched a lot of managers come and go. It's often a cruel way to send a message to a team, but it's a lot easier than the alternative.



"Unfortunately, soccer is like this," admitted Nocerino. "If you don’t win, it is easier to let go of one person, not 25, but the fault lies with everyone, not just the coach, but also the players. If you don’t win, the loss doesn't belong to one person but to the whole team and I think that once a coach is let go, it is a loss for the whole team. This is unfortunate, but soccer is like that. You have to try to look to the future, try and do well and play better."



At the end of the day winning is what it's all about. Winning and finding a run of victories can silence the critics, fans, and solve a lot of problems. Orlando has the ability to come together and earn a massive result on the road in a difficult place to play. Nocerino wants to see a result against the Whitecaps.



"What is important to me is to get positive results."



Notes: A special thank you to Sonja Cori Missio, and Mrs. Missio (Mom) for translating Antonio Nocerino's comments to Red Nation Online.



