Eustaquio, a Canadian youth international, became an integral part of Fury FC's midfield a year ago

The trajectory of Mauro Eustaquio’s professional career has mirrored that of his club, Ottawa Fury FC.

After a slow start in 2014, Eustaquio and Fury FC, had a breakout year in the NASL in 2015. Ottawa claimed the Fall Season title and reached The Championship Final. Eustaquio became an integral part of the club’s midfield.

“Coming into Ottawa in my first year I knew it was going to be tough, it was my first professional season,” Eustaquio, 23, told NASL.com. “I knew I had to put in a lot of extra work. I didn’t have as much playing time as I wanted, but I kept focused. The second year I helped the team with goals.

“This year I’m hungry and I’m going to continue to work hard. I’m here to help Ottawa Fury FC build off of last year.”

Playing alongside the veteran Julian de Guzman has only aided Eustaquio’s development.

“He’s been a great role model, a teacher,” Eustaquio said. “He knows the sport more than almost anyone in the league. He’s played in La Liga and the Bundesliga, he’s an international, and the captain of Canada. He knows a lot about the sport and whatever he tells me I take in, think about it, and it always ends up working.”

Eustaquio, who represented Canada at the recent Olympic qualifying tournament, is hoping to follow de Guzman, Canada’s captain, into a role with the senior team.

“I think about reaching the men’s national team and helping the country in their goals,” Eustaquio said. “It’s not my main goal for this season, but it’s definitely one of them. I’m going to be working hard in Ottawa because to get called up to the national team, you have to be playing well for your club team.”

He added, “Hopefully if Benito [Floro, coach of the national team] likes what I’m doing, he calls me up and I’ll work there and help the national team.”

Eustaquio tallied two goals, the first of his pro career, in 20 appearances last year, up from eight appearances in 2014. He could play an even bigger role as Ottawa looks to cement its place at the top of the NASL after a surprising run in 2015.

“Last year I’m grateful we were able to win the Fall Season title and reach the final of The Championship,” Eustaquio said. “The standard is up there and the players that came in are hungry for titles, the coach is hungry for titles.”

Eustaquio added: “For us to get to our goals that we reached last year and better we have to keep focused, work hard – there’s a lot of new bodies – and jell as soon as possible, and take it from there.“

With hopes of reaching Canada’s national team in the back of his mind, doing everything to help Ottawa win more silverware in the NASL remains at the top of Eustaquio’s to-do list.

“That’s what everyone on the team and coach wants,” he said. “I’m going to dedicate myself to Ottawa Fury FC. I’m going to work hard and show the coaches that I want to play and help the team. If I’m on the field I’ll give it 100 percent and I’ll take it from there.”