Posted by

Mat Rooney ,

August 29, 2017 Email Mat Rooney Twitter @rooney_matthew

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Red Nation Interview Series: Adam Straith

Adam Straith has been one of Canada’s most reliable players for the last decade, picking up 43 caps since 2010 and being a part of Canada’s squads at the 2013, 2015 and 2017 Gold Cups. Over that same time, the Victoria native has also enjoyed stints in Germany, Norway and Canada and earlier this week made his debut with Sportfreunde Lotte of Germany’s 3. Liga.



We spoke with Adam about his recent move, his career and other developments going on in the Canadian soccer world.



Red Nation Online: How does it feel to be back in Germany?



Adam Straith: It feels great to be back in Germany. This is the country where I “grew up” in professional football and its somewhere that I feel comfortable being in. It's been a wish of mine to come back if given the opportunity, so when this chance came in Lotte, I was extremely excited and happy to get back.



RNO: Peter Raco mentioned there was interest in other parts of the world, including the Indian Super League club. What made you sign with Sportfreunde Lotte?



Adam Straith: Yes, there was interest from other parts of the world, but like I said before Germany was always a country that I felt comfortable in and I have always been a big fan of how football is played and how seriously it is taken over here. I actually had a chance to sign with Sportfreunde Lotte last winter, but for a couple of reasons, the deal could not get done in time before the deadline. It's a club that I have admired from a for a little while now. It's a humble club, which prides itself in being well connected with everyone that plays a part at it, so you get a big sense of family even after just being here for a few days. I also followed the team last year as they made their deep run in the German Cup, and it always excited me how well they played against some of the best teams in the country. The club is still trying to grow, and hopefully, with a positive year of results, we can get to where we want to be.



RNO: How does Liga 3 compare to the NASL? We’ve seen quite a bit of movement between the two leagues.



Adam Straith: It's always hard to compare two leagues from different parts of the world, they are in my opinion two completely different environments where I feel like there is significantly more pressure to get results over here in Germany. Not to say that results are not cared about in the NASL, but there is a different level of competitiveness when you play over in Germany and other parts of Europe, and this is something that I like to be a part of. I enjoy the pressure that playing over here brings, I feel it is something that every young player should try and experience if the opportunity presents itself.



RNO: What do you feel made Sportfreunde Lotte want you? My understanding is it was a short trial. What are your initial thoughts on the club, the staff, and teammates?



Adam Straith: I had a chat with the new coach on the phone, and he indicated to me that he had seen game videos of me from the past few years and wanted me to come into the team and be one of the leaders in the group. I think my gained experience over the years not just in Germany and Norway but also with the National Team played a role in it as well, he wanted someone that other players could look to and I feel like I fit this role well, even if I’ve only been here a few days now. The players and staff have been great to me so far, they’ve made me feel extremely welcome which I think relates to the feel of family at the club. I look forward to going to the training facility every day and working with everyone at the club.



RNO: How was it with FC Edmonton and playing pro in Canada?



Adam Straith: It was a great experience for me to come back and play in Edmonton the past few months. It was the first time I was able to play professionally in Canada and something that I am still very proud of. I enjoyed my short stay at the club, and being able to work with people that I am already familiar with was something that made the move that much easier for me. Everyone at the club was fantastic towards me, and I feel like there its no surprise why Edmonton is providing some very good young Canadian talent and will continue to do so for what is hopefully a long time.



RNO: How does playing in a soccer mad nation like Germany impact your play with the national team?



Adam Straith: As I touched on before, playing in a country like Germany where everything is about football is something that I missed and thrive on. I think just the day to day pressure even at training from not just the coaching staff, but also from the other players is something that makes me a better player. If anyone is surrounded in an environment like this, it is very hard to not get better if you decide to take the challenge on and accept it. This is something that can translate to playing with Canada because me makes me accountable not just for myself, but also for the other players and as I get older, I hope that younger players can look to me as an example of someone who has been around not just the National team for a while but also playing in a country like Germany for a number of years.



RNO: What are your thoughts so far on coach Octavio Zambrano? How does he compare to Benito Floro?



Adam Straith: Octavio came in when we had our game against Scotland and although he did not officially run the camp as a head coach you could see as a player what he wanted us to improve, and that was our mentality. I think in the short amount of time he has been with the team, he has changed the way we think about ourselves and what we are actually capable of. I have really enjoyed working with him so far and know that he still has a lot to work with us on, I don’t feel like anyone is satisfied yet even after what most would say was a positive Gold Cup. He is also very involved with us while we are not with the National Team, and keeps in contact regularly which is something I feel is extremely important as well, to have an open dialogue with him and see what he wants from us as players is only something that can benefit everyone.



RNO: You’re 26, have played 177 league games and 43 times for Canada. Most people see you as a key player in the first Canadian Premier League season. Do you ever think about that or are you more of a “right here, right now” kind of guy?



Adam Straith: I do follow the latest news on the CPL, and am very excited to see what happens when it eventually starts. Right now at this time, I am not thinking too deeply into it as I don’t really know what “it” is yet, but I don’t shut it down as an opportunity in the future. I, as well as I know like many of the other guys, hope that the league is a success as it can only be good for the future of Canadian Soccer if done correctly.



RNO: With your club set for 2017-18, what are you looking forward to most over the next year?



Adam Straith: Playing as many games as possible, both at club and with Canada. I'm very excited to be back in Germany and am hungry to have success with this new club, everything that comes after that is a bonus but I feel like being back here at my age is the right place at this time.