Going on the road with a team, especially in a country as vast as the United States, can be tough. But after joining Orlando City this season, defender Scott Sutter has not been the only one who’s had to deal with lots of travel.

His girlfriend, who is working on her doctorate in Switzerland while Sutter lives in the U.S., has spent a lot of time traveling between the two countries.

“Kind of more often than not, she’s here,” he said. “She’s kind of back and forth quite a lot. She’s racking up some serious miles.”

Sutter and his girlfriend have always dreamed of living in America, and given how quickly he adjusted to playing for Orlando City and the boost he has provided the team, they may be able to live that dream for a long time.

After leaving the Swiss club BSC Young Boys to join the Lions two games into the MLS season, Sutter has played in 20 games and started 18 times, recording three assists and scoring his first goal in late June.

Moving to another continent to join a team during a season is not an easy task, but Sutter felt that he fit in with his new team right away.

“Everyone at the club, from the back room staff that made me feel adjusted so quickly, to the coaching staff and obviously the players, I mean it’s just been … such an easy transition for me coming here,” he said. “I think you can tell that I’m happy being here. I feel very much at home, so I kind of hope that that shows on the pitch as well.”

While Orlando City has been struggling recently, failing to earn a win in July, Sutter attributed part of his quick adjustment to the team’s performance to the timing of his arrival. He joined the club midway through its 6-1-0 start to the season.

“I came off the back of two home wins and then my first game when I came on, we got a loss, but then we kind of kept it going, especially with the home run that we had,” he said. “I think it would’ve been probably worse off if I would’ve come into a team and then you start losing match after match. That would’ve not been the ideal start.”

While Orlando City is still searching for a way to start winning again, Sutter’s teammates have been very impressed with what he brings to the club.

“He’s a really, really good player, really good with the ball, very technical and one of the best with the ball on our team,” forward Cyle Larin said. “He’s really a valuable player to our team and I like him being here.”

While adjusting to the Florida heat and working to prove himself has been tough, Sutter was not too surprised by how well he has slid into coach Jason Kreis’ system.

“Obviously, I think they did their work and looked at what kind of player I am and what I can bring to the team,” he said. “So, I just try and bring that into the game and if there’s anything that I’m doing not as good or that I need to improve on or do something differently, then he’s very open and would tell me about it.”

Sutter’s teammates and coaches are not the only people to help him feel welcome in Orlando. Since arriving, he has been impressed by the team’s supporters.

“The support that I’ve had from the fans everywhere pretty much has been overwhelming,” he said. “I’m really touched by it, to be honest, ’cause I feel at home after only four or five months.”