GETTING SERIOUX Canadian international impresses in debut
Adrian Serioux certainly impressed coach Mo Johnston in his first appearance in a Metros uniform. Photo by Michael Lewis
By Michael Lewiw
BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
Bradenton, Fla. -- One game or even 45 minutes certainly doesn't make a case for a player, but defensive midfielder Adrian Serioux made a promising first impression in a MetroStars uniform Wednesday morning.
Serioux played the opening half of the Metros' 2-1 pre-season loss to Real Salt Lake at IMG Academy, impressing coach Mo Johnston with his overall play and ballhandling.
The Metros have lacked an experienced and physical ball winner at defensive midfield in recent years and Johnston is hopeful he has found his man in the Canadian international
"You see he was very active," he said. "He was closing people down. That was his first day. He's very athletic and he's got youth. And again, with what we have in front of us (in the salary cap), his salary is not high."
Serioux, 26, most recently played with Millwall in the English Second Division, but returned home due to personal reasons. He has made eight appearances for the Canadian National Team, his most recent cap being the scoreless tie with the U.S. Jan. 22.
"I just felt this was a little bit closer for me to be able to go back and forth when I do have to," he said. "I like MLS. It's obviously a league that's on the rise right now."
Serioux, a discovery pick, felt his chances of making the team were "pretty good."
"My position right now and the experience I that gained being in England, hopefully I could bring to the team and just give them that extra boost they need throughout this year," he said.
Serioux already has demonstrated how flexible he can be. He joined the team here Monday night and acquitted himself well Wednesday.
He hadn't played in three months and was solid with the Canadian National Team vs. the U.S.
"You've got to just take in stride," he said. "Obviously, sometimes you're going to get some praise, sometimes you're going to get some negative words. We've got to stick with it. The U.S. was a very good game for me even though I was off for a couple of months. I'll take it and keep going with it."
Serioux could very well be a perfect fit for the Big Apple, whose fans in any sport can be quite demanding. But MetroStars supporters can't hold a candle when they are compared to the notorious Millwall fans, who have a reputation of getting on players any time anywhere.
"Most definitely," he said. "Millwall is known to have, I guess you can say, one of the worst crowds in the league. It's good. When they're on your side, they love you. But if you're not doing too well, they're going to give you it. That's just the way English soccer is."
Signed in Aug. 2004, Serioux didn't play much with Millwall before returning home. But he learned plenty.
"The physical aspect of the game is a lot different," he said. "The pace of the game is just a lot quicker. That's just something you've got to bring over here."
