

Posted by

Steve Bottjer ,

January 21, 2013 Email

Steve Bottjer

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@BottjerRNO

It was about this time last year that Canadian International Andres Fresenga was on trial with the Vancouver Whitecaps and endeavouring to make a professional return to Canada after spending six years developing his game in Uruguay with Racing Club de Montevideo. While an injury prevented the right back from catching on with Vancouver, and ultimately necessitated a move back to South America, it appears that a seed that was planted in British Columbia is what lead to Fresenga recently becoming a member of the inaugural edition of the Ottawa Fury’s NASL side. Asked how the recent deal to sign with the Fury came about, the Toronto native mentioned the name of someone with a rich history in the Whitecaps organization. “Martin Nash,” Fresenga told RedNation Online. “He was there from my days in Vancouver and he actually spoke to Russell (Teibert). Martin asked him if he knew anyone that didn’t have a team right now and he told him that I didn’t have a team. So Martin called me and that’s when it all started.” “It went pretty quickly from there,” Fresenga added. “I spoke with Marc Dos Santos and went to have a coffee with him in Ottawa. He showed me the city and talked about his plans for the team. I really liked his plans and his vision for how he wants the team to play. It is not actually something that I’m used to seeing in Canadian soccer, so that’s why I liked it so much. And that is why I didn’t hesitate to say yes to going and playing for him.” Fresenga, like TFC midfielder and fellow Canadian International Jonathan Osorio, spent a large portion of his developmental years as a player in Uruguay. With that in mind, he was quick to admit that playing for Dos Santos, who has returned to Canada himself after coaching in Brazil for several years, is something that very much appeals to him. “Brazilian soccer and Uruguayan soccer aren’t the same, but they have the same guidelines,” Fresenga explained. “He knows what it is like to play with pressure and the different situations in a game that you don’t experience playing in MLS or any other leagues here in North America. Everything is different in South America. I think he will bring a different style as a coach and I think I will enjoy playing for him.” “(Dos Santos) is conscious of me being able to play centreback but he has a couple of really good central defenders, including one who played in Spain,” Fresenga added. “So I expect to be playing right back.” According to Fresenga, in addition to play for Dos Santos, his new club not only offers him the opportunity to play professionally in Canada, it also offers a chance to be part of something special as the Fury embark upon their first campaign as an NASL club. “It is a joy for not just me, but also my family and friends,” Fresenga said. “Being close to them and being able to have them come and watch games is really nice.” “It is actually very special being with a new club because everything you do will be part of history, the first goal and everything,” Fresenga continued. “Being the first player Fury called up to the national team will be part of history. So being able to write history at a club is always important, no matter where you play. So this is a good opportunity for me and my teammates to make history. There is going to be new fans and a lot of hype around the team.” With his club situation now settled, Fresenga is also excited about the prospect of earning more call-ups with Benito Floro and the Canadian Men’s National Team. However, he stopped short of suggesting that playing close to home in Ottawa will make it any easier to earn further opportunities to pull on a Canadian kit. “Every time you put on the Canadian jersey it is always a pleasure,” Fresenga said. “As I have said before, Canada opened its doors to my family, so I’m always there for the Canadian team no matter what they need me for.” “(Being in Canada) might help on one level, but it all depends on the player,” Fresenga added. “You can be playing here in Ottawa and Toronto, but if you’re not showing that you are capable of playing at the national team level, then it won’t make in a difference. Certainly, being in Ottawa, they will see me more, but it all depends on me and how I play. I don’t think Benito wants to bring me in if I’m not playing well. At the end of the day it all depends on how I play regardless of where I am.” Fresenga, who is now finishing up his second national team camp overseen by Floro, was quick to praise the Spaniard for the manner in which he has been revitalizing the Canadian program over the last several months. “Benito is a really good coach who has a good mentality towards the game,” Fresenga said. “He plays a different style, an old style with a lot of touching and no straight balls. It is like the Spanish way of playing. It is an exciting style and, if we can adapt to his style, I think Canada will be able to do a 180 degree turn and start winning a lot of games.” With many looking at Fresenga as a player capable of being the Canadian National Team’s right back of the present and future, the player himself was open in admitting that he likes the position he is in now, playing for top quality coaches at the club and country levels and having a really good opportunity to prove himself with both teams while working hard to build towards a breakthrough year. “The sky is the limit right now,” Fresenga said. “The more games I get under my belt for Ottawa and the national team, the better. There is nothing like game experience. A player who isn’t playing isn’t playing at the same level of intensity as one who is always playing. Hopefully I can get a lot of games under my belt and continue to develop my game and mature as a player.”