Posted by

Harjeet Johal ,

August 4, 2014 Twitter

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ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - On a cloudy Sunday afternoon FC Zurich battled BSC Young Boys in front of 10,295 fans at Letzigrund, Stadion in Zurich. FC Zurich sit at the top of the Raiffeisen Super League table with a 4-0-0 record. Having drawn their only two matches this season, BSC Young Boys had yet to secure a victory this season. FC Zurich wasn't willing to slip on a banana skin as they scored twice in the second half to take all three points and the match 2-1.



A key contributor to FC Zurich's early season success is former Vancouver Whitecaps playmaker Davide Chiumiento. Having scored 3 goals in four matches, Davide is an important player in Coach Urs Meier's offensive tactical game plan. With FC Basel right behind them, FC Zurich are sure to be in a tough fight this season as they look to win the Super League title. Chiumiento is not looking that far ahead as the season is still in the early stages of competition.



"We've had a really great start this season and we are really happy for that, but there is still a long way to go,” Chiumiento told RedNation. “This year we obviously want to go for the title, but it is early to speak about that."



On this particular day, Chiumiento is not the only former Whitecaps player on the pitch. Alain Rochat joined BSC Young Boys last summer after being transferred by MLS side DC United. Rochat played centre-back against FC Zurich and also donned the captain’s armband. The veteran defender is an integral part of the defensive formation for BSC Young Boys. The 31 year-old spoke about his role with his club on and off the pitch.



"I'm like the second oldest guy on the team so I have to bring my experience to this young team,” Rochat said. “We have a lot of guys who are not over 22 years-old. I'm the kind of guy who has to bring experience, bring calm, and teach the young guys how to behave themselves when they have pressure. It's a nice role."



BSC Young Boys Coach Uli Forte has leaned on Rochat to help guide his back-four and provide a leadership voice on the pitch to help mentor the younger players on the team.



"He (Alain Rochat) has helped us a lot because he is a very important player for us,” Forte said. “He is a leader and we saw that today, he played a superb match and he is very important for us."



After spending time with the Vancouver Whitecaps, both Rochat and Chiumiento are enjoying playing football back in Switzerland again. They are thankful that their families are able to attend every home match in the Super League. Playing in Europe allows them to spend more time with their loved ones, and that is something no Major League Soccer team could ever offer. With many of his family and friends in Switzerland, Chiumiento still has time to keep an eye on the Whitecaps.



"I'm really happy, my whole family is here, they're really excited to see me play every weekend,” Chiumiento explained.” I'm always connected to Vancouver, I follow the Whitecaps a lot and I see they are doing not bad. I hope that they can make the playoffs because Robbo and the whole team, they deserve it."



FC Zurich gaffer Urs Meier believes he has a world class player in Davide Chiumento and he is excited to be able to pencil him into his starting lineup when Davide fit and raring to do. The former Liechtenstein national team manager is quick to point out the goal contributions Chiumiento has provided early on this season.



"He's a great player,” Meier stated. “This season he has 3 goals and last season zero goals, that's a big difference. He has good form, he is very important for the team and he has good character. He is very important for our tactics, I'm happy for Davide Chiumiento and for the team."



The former Juventus product is still the same dynamic player that took to the pitch at Empire Field, and BC Place, but now he is much more involved in his team’s offensive game plan and tactical strategy. Wearing the number 10 kit, Davide cuts in and out of the BSC Young Boys box and shows his creative bag of tricks that made him a fan favourite in Vancouver. He is still quick, dynamic, and precise with his ball dribbling technique. In the first half, BSC Young Boys kept Chiumiento off the score-sheet, but had difficulty getting the ball off him when he got going.



The Heiden, Switzerland native appreciates the confidence his coach has in his abilities on the field. That is something that Chiumiento did not always feel during his time with the Vancouver Whitecaps. FC Zurich have focused their offense around Chiumiento and he is happy to be involved in those tactics.



"Yeah, maybe we could invite Martin Rennie so then we could change some tactics,” Chiumiento said. “This is my position (Attacking Midfield), like the position that Pedro Morales is playing in Vancouver, a free role behind the strikers. I'm happy that our coach gives me a lot of confidence and I'm happy that I can repay him with everything on the field."



In the 58' minute Chiumiento showed just why his coach depends on him to get things going as he scored the opening goal of the match. Marco Schonbachler sprung him on the left flank and Chiumiento cut in past the BSC Young Boys back-four to break in alone on goal. Yvon Mvogo was left with little chance to make a save because his young defense deserted him. Davide fired low for his third marker of the season.



After the match the 29 year-old midfielder was not so confident that he would be able to get past his former teammate, Alain Rochat, in a 1 v 1 situation.



"I'm happy that I didn't have to go 1 v 1 against him because he is too strong,” Chiumiento explained. "I was always a little scared, so I stayed away."



BSC Young Boys have faced an unusual amount of injures this season, and it is Alain Rochat's job to stop and prevent Super League players like Davide Chiumiento from scoring and taking advantage of a depleted Young Boys team. Sometimes it can take a while for a young squad to shake the nerves and play at their top potential. Rochat is constantly giving advice to his younger teammates to help them grow and become better footballers.



"We have many injuries, and today I was made the captain,” Rochat said. "My role was to guide them, show them the way and try to bring the young guys confidence. I don't want them to be shy on the pitch, so that's my role."



On June 7, 2013, when the Rochat family got the news that Alain had been transferred from the Whitecaps to DC United they were less than thrilled by his trade. Upset with the Vancouver Whitecaps organization, social media became an outlet to voice displeasure with Rochat's departure. Looking back to those events that unfolded, Alain and his family are now excited everything eventually worked in the long run.



"That was a tough time last summer, but now that was a good option for me,” Rochat stated. “I joined the club (BSC Young Boys) who I played for 10 years ago. I knew a lot about this club from before. Now we are settled down and everybody is happy and that's good news."



Alain Rochat, and Davide Chiumiento were both an important part of the Whitecaps Martine Rennie era. The team had some growing pains, and players often move on when a club is looking to stand on its own feet and form an identity. Switzerland has always provided a great opportunity for Alain and Davide to fulfil their football careers and they are thankful that they had a chance to don the Vancouver Whitecaps kit and experience life as players in MLS.