“If I get a chance to get close to (Barcelona midfielder, Sergio) Busquets, I’m going to give him a big kiss,” Richie Ryan told me perched somewhere in Madrid. Ryan is currently in Madrid to watch Saturday’s El Clasico, an experience he describes as “one I’ve always dreamed of.” Much like Busquets, Ryan may not get the plaudits he deserves. Fans who do not have a deep appreciation for the artistry of the game, who focus on goals, assists and saves, players like Busquets and Ryan are often an after thought. For those of us who watch football, and indeed NASL regularly, Ryan is one of the best players in the league, regardless of position. The regista around whom head coach Alessandro Nesta built the attacking juggernaut of Miami FC; one that with no disrespect to the likes of the New York Cosmos and Louisville City, was the best attacking unit in lower-division American soccer in 2017.

If Miami FC were a living, breathing human body, the likes of Stefano Pinho, Kwadko Poku, Vincenzo Rennella, Mason Trafford and Hunter Freeman would be the appendages – the effectors producing action. Nesta would be the eyes – overseeing everything. Dylan Mares would be (sorry, cannot insert compliment here, because I’m still upset that Mares left Indy Eleven). Whereas Ryan would be both the heart and the brain. A leader in the dressing room and on the pitch, as well as the nucleus synchronizing all the defensive and attacking actions of Miami FC.

I caught up with Ryan via a phone call and we discussed his debut, his move to North America and the current predicament players like himself find themselves in – given the uncertainty about the NASL’s future.

Nipun Chopra (NC) – Your debut for Sunderland came during the Tyne-Wear derby, playing against a Newcastle team including Jonathan Woodgate, Jermaine Jenas, Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy. What do you remember from that day?

Richie Ryan (RR) – We got beat 1-0 (laughs). At the time, it was a little bit unbelievable – I was eighteen and I found out the night before that I was in the squad. I thought I’d be there just for the experience. But Mick McCarthy (then manager of Sunderland) told me I’d be on the bench. My captain, Michael Gray, came over and shook my hand, looked me in the eye and told me, “Just be yourself.” It was a brilliant experience.

NC – Did you ever think, at that time, you would be playing professional soccer in America?

RR – Not back then. When I made my debut, I wanted to make it in England. But obviously in football, things don’t work out the way you’d like them to. When I was in Ireland, someone asked me if I’d like to go to America to play, and I considered training with FC Dallas. But, it didn’t work out. I was 26 then, and I didn’t think it made sense to go on trial at that age. But, as you know, things changed for me with an opportunity in Canada.

NC – Along the way, you played in Belgium and Scotland. How was that experience?

RR – Well, firstly I met my wife when I moved to Dundee United (laughs). Belgium has a different style of football, it was a little more technical. Scotland was a lot more direct and similar to what I had experienced coming through at Sunderland.

NC – Tell me more about how you met your wife.

RR – We met on a night out (laughs), at a bar. We hit it off pretty much straight away. We spent a lot of time getting to know each other, but I was about to go back to Ireland because it was the end of the season. We’d been seeing each other for about a month and were going to be separated. She told me that she was worried we would lose touch. But, we spoke almost everyday and she’s a wonderful person. At the time, things were falling apart for me at Dundee, and I asked her if she’d go with me to Canada and she said yes. She said, “I’ll go with you wherever.”

She’s from a football family. Her dad and brother are big Dundee FC fans; which didn’t go down well when we first met. I had to charm her family a little bit initially.

NC – How much did you two know about Canada at the time?

RR – Honestly Nipun, at that time, absolutely zero. We’re both laid back people. I’d spoken to Marc dos Santos a couple of times, and he was inspirational. I wanted to go play for him.

NC – What was it like for you two living in Ottawa and Canada?

RR – We absolutely loved every minute of it. There is a huge Irish community there, and that helped us a lot. It was a chance to make connections and make friendships. You get the best of everything – you get snow, you get a lovely spring and autumn and a gorgeous summer.

We had our first child when we were in Canada. My wife is a nurse, but it was difficult with all the paperwork for her to do that there. Our little girl was born in October 2014. My wife looked after our little girl and worked at a coffee shop on occasion.

NC – How would NASL losing Division II status affect your livelihood?

RR – To be honest, I don’t really know. Nobody speaks about what the alternatives are. We’ve heard that if the league loses the appeal, it won’t exist anymore. But, why wouldn’t they exist? It’s a question without any answer. To be honest Nipun, nobody is put any thoughts into the players/families/coaches. It’s a sad situation to be in it especially after the turmoil of last season.

I know it’s not the NASL’s fault for what’s going on this year. But from the outside, it doesn’t look good. I speak to many folks in other countries and they don’t understand what’s going on here. Who would be able to?

NC – Could you elaborate as to why you believe NASL is not at fault?

RR – I think the league needs to do things better, but it has to be given time to do that. I’m hoping if the league does exist next year, that US Soccer works with the league and allows it to succeed.

NC – How do you explain this entire NASL situation to your family?

RR – My wife is laid back like I am, and she doesn’t really ask me too many questions about it – which is good, because honestly I don’t have any answers for her. The league has lost some good players this week. Like Jimmy Maurer, Lance Laing and Pinho. If there wasn’t all the uncertainty around the league, perhaps they would be given contracts to convince them to stay.

NC – How do the players discuss all of this internally?

RR – I think at this time of year, we don’t talk too much to each other (laughter). We still have a Whatsapp group, and every ten days someone will ask each other if there has been any news. The only sources of info we have are folks like yourself and journalist covering the league.

It’s a difficult time now – it’s Christmas. And nobody knows if we will be back next year. It makes absolutely no sense.

NC – Is there anything else you would like supporters of soccer in America to know?

RR – From a player’s perspective, we need protection. This cannot keep happening. We need to take care of the players, without whom the game doesn’t happen. I know the MLS has a player’s union, maybe that’s something we should do. I’ve really enjoyed playing in this league, and I want the league to grow in every aspect.

NC – Final question, you played with Indy XI’s Colin Falvey during your time at Ottawa. What do you think of his beard?

RR – He looks better with the beard than without it. I’m not bothered about the beard, but it is the Peaky Blinders haircut that bothers me.

NC – The haircut is a bit embarrassing, isn’t it? (Author’s note: I am well aware this is a leading question, and I’m not sorry.)

RR – It is! I saw him towards the end of the season, and he had a full quaff slicked back. I told him, “what the hell is wrong with you?” (laughs). We wouldn’t have let him to have that at Ottawa.

You can find Nipun Chopra at NipunChopra7 on Twitter.

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