FRISCO - Things couldn’t have gone much better for Tesho Akindele in his rookie season. The Colorado School of Mines graduate became the fourth forward in MLS history to win the Rookie of the Year, scoring seven goals in the regular season as well as a crucial strike in the playoff win over Vancouver.
It’s not uncommon for second-year players to experience a sophomore slump after a strong first campaign, but the thought hasn’t even entered the mind of Akindele.
“I’m just looking to improve on the little things this year like my touch, my shot and focusing on the little details that make you a good player instead of focusing on thinking I need to score more goals or something,” said Akindele. “I think if I focus on the little details then I’ll do better whether I score more goals or less goals. I just want to be a better player.
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Head coach Oscar Pareja has certainly coached his fair share of young players including the last two Rookie of the Year winners, and he says there’s something special about his young forward that sets him apart from others around the league.
“I don’t have any doubt that Tesho is in a different direction,” said Pareja. “He’s mentally stronger than many of the rookies that I have worked with. Tesho’s mentality is very strong. Normally with soccer, you don’t always know and things may happen, but I’m not concerned about him. I can see him fighting for his spot and working very hard.”
Akindele’s 2015 preseason has been a bit of a rollercoaster beginning things in California at his first U.S. Men’s National Team camp before suffering a minor injury with FCD that kept him out of training in early February. Akindele returned to the pitch in style on February 20th tallying the game-winning assist and scoring a goal in twenty minutes of action in the 3-1 win over DC United. Akindele followed that up with 75 minutes in last Saturday’s match at San Antonio confirming he is definitely ready for the season opener.
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“I think that game [against DC] helped my confidence,” said Akindele. “I was injured for a little bit which is why I hadn’t played, but I came back and showed that I’m still here ready to go for the season and sent a message to everyone. I’m 100%.”
Whether he’s in Saturday’s starting eleven or an impact substitute off the bench, Pareja knows he’ll get everything he’s got from the young forward.
“He came in and helped us and that’s one of the highlights of his approach to the game,” said Pareja. “You ask him one minute or 90 and he gives it to you with the same passion, discipline and intensity. I need to praise him in that regard. It’s a reflection of the whole group.”
