01.30.2010
STAHL EXCITED TO START HIS CAREER IN PHILADELPHIABy Andy Jasner
In Tuusula, Finland, everyone plays hockey.
EVERYONE.
Soccer?
Suffice it to say, it’s not as popular.
“I played hockey, too,” Toni Stahl was saying recently. “I liked soccer more. From a young age, it was soccer. Hockey was played everywhere and soccer was harder to come by. I just liked it and stuck with it. I’m glad I did.”
After a stellar four years at the University of Connecticut, the midfielder was selected with the No. 17 pick (first choice in the second round) in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft by Philadelphia Union.
Hearing his name called was amazing.
There was a point when he considered going back home to Finland. But not now.
“It was tough as a freshman,” said Stahl, 24. “I was pretty homesick and missed home. I got different opinions from different people. I knew I had to make a tough decision. I said, “I came to UConn to give it a shot and I’m going to see it through.’ It was kind of a culture change. Not the weather or anything like that. It was just a different way of living and I was on my own. I stuck it out and I’m so glad I did.”
Stahl sailed over those early hurdles and excelled with the Huskies.
He joined UConn in 2006 and wound up being the Big East Rookie of the Year. In addition, he was a three-time All-Big East First Team selection as well as Big East Midfielder of the Year as a senior.
“I feel like I improved so much from my freshman year to my senior year,” Stahl said. “I think the four years benefited me. I got better and had great coaching to help me along. I matured as a person and that helped me become a better player on the field. Look at me today? I wouldn’t be here without those coaches along the way.”
As a kid, Stahl played with Finnish powerhouse HJK Helsinki. He suffered some injuries and struggled to land in the top division.
It was then that he realized a path to MLS would have to go through NCAA soccer.
“I made a lot of calls and checked the Internet,” Stahl said. “I had a former coach in Finland help me out. One thing led to another and I landed at UConn. It was the very best decision I’ve ever made in my life in soccer.”
Philadelphia Union feel as if they got four first-round draft picks. After getting Danny Mwanga, Amobi Okugo and Jack McInerney with picks one, six and seven, adding Stahl at 17 was a major bonus.
“We got a terrific player in the second round,” said Philadelphia Union Team Manager Peter Nowak. “He’s a multi-talented player. We think he was worthy of a first-round pick. He has gotten better each year.”
Stahl has been impressed with the passion of the Philadelphia fans. Many of them asked him how he got started with soccer in Finland.
“I know the Philadelphia Flyers are big here and they have a couple of players from Finland,” said Stahl, who led the U17 HJK club to the 2001 and ’02 national championships. “I look forward to meeting them. For me, it’s been soccer, soccer and more soccer. I’m so excited to be in MLS. These fans are awesome here. I may take in a Flyers game down the road.
“My No. 1 objective is to help the Union. I’m super excited about my situation. I’ve had a life-long dream of playing professional soccer. To start this career in Philadelphia is perfect for me.”
