He's back! We got another chance to speak with USL Championship Charleston Battery goalkeeper Daniel Kuzemka. The former Clemson and UNC Charlotte men's soccer standout has gone from an inexperienced rookie at the professional level to a penalty stopping Open Cup performer. He took some time to share his journey at the professional level with us. Check it out below!
1. Last time we spoke for the blog, you were a standout college goalkeeper at UNC
Charlotte. Let's reflect back on your college journey. When you look back, how
would you describe your college career?
Looking back on my college career, it definitely had its fair share of ups and downs.
From transferring, to getting covid in season, to college soccer player of the week
performances, to stinker of games, I went through it all. Some may have looked at is
as nowhere near perfect or ideal; I think it was the perfect college journey to shape me
into the goalkeeper that I am today and help me be a professional.
2. As you were coming to the end of your college playing days, what was the transition
like to the professional level? Did you do combines? Hire an agent? Talk us through that
process.
As my college days were winding down, things started to get overwhelming. I always
knew I wanted to pursue the professional level but there were so many moving pieces
once my final season finished up at UNC Charlotte. First, it was speaking with several
agents to try and find the best person to represent and showcase me to MLS and USL
coaching staffs. I spoke with maybe 3 or 4 different agencies, and I couldn’t be happier
with the Wochmaker team and how they have helped guide me throughout the course
of my career so far. After having an agent, I spoke with a couple MLS teams and they
had me on their big board, so I was therefore eligible for the MLS 2021 draft. I went
undrafted in the 2021 draft, which was unexpected after several conversations I had
with clubs and my agent. It put me through a whirlwind of emotions because that part
of my dream of getting drafted was no longer attainable. My agent had some USL
Championship teams that were interested in me, but they wanted me to prove myself by
coming in on trial. I ended up signing with the Charleston Battery after showcasing
myself in friendlies against MLS teams and having a strong couple weeks of preseason
with the team. The path to me becoming a pro was an emotional one, but I kept
believing and betting on myself in every situation I was put in.
3. What was the adjustment period like once you got to the professional level?
There was a big adjustment period once I got to the professional level. I went from a 5th
year senior who was one of the captains of the team to a rookie on a brand-new team
with professionals. The speed of play was the biggest adjustment that I had to make
since becoming a pro, especially with the ball at my feet. My decision-making process
had to be much faster than what it was at the college level. I quickly adapted to the level
of play and raised my level. I ended up playing a couple of games my rookie year which
was great because I was signed to be the 3rd string and solely a practice guy.
4. You just finished up your third season with the Charleston Battery. What has life been
like in the United Soccer League for you?
It has been awesome being in the USL the last 3 seasons. The league is truly taking
big steps and is growing rapidly. From new CBAs to better resources, bigger stadiums,
better benefits, the league is really taking steps in the right direction to make the USL
Championship a top tier professional league. It really has been a dream come true to
play in this league. Playing soccer for a living and being a role model to the younger
generations is an absolute dream and I’m blessed to be in the position that I am in.
5. What are some of the best habits you have that prepare you for training and games?
I have many habits I do daily to prepare me for training but one that stands out to me
that I do before training and games is my activation routine. I like to get to the facility
early and take advantage of the resources that I can use. I start off with riding the bike
to warm up my legs, then get into foam rolling my lower body and back. I will then
transition into some active range of motion stretching and some band work to get my
muscles primed and firing to perform at my highest level.
6. You've spent most of your career as a backup in Charleston, having played a few
games each season the past couple of years. How do you stay mentally focused and
ready when your chance comes?
It has been tough not getting as many games as I would like my first couple years as a pro. I
have performed at a high level in the games I have gotten. I take pride in training like an
animal every day and it has kept me ready for the opportunities that have come my way.
My mentality has helped me stay focused and hungry for more because I know I have
only scratched the surface of my potential as a professional goalkeeper so far.
7. What advice would you give goalkeepers at the youth or college level that are looking
to play professionally?
Never quit, don’t give up. Throughout my life I have always had people who doubted
me. From the youth level to college ball and in the professional game as well. Just keep
working hard and believing in yourself, that’s all that really matters and all that you can
control as a goalkeeper. Your path to being a pro will never be linear or what you picture
it to be. You don’t have to be with an MLS academy to be a pro one day, you don’t need
to play for a big university, you don’t need to get drafted, you just need to be a good
goalkeeper and only you can control that. This is what I live by and has helped me
become a pro- be a good person, a good teammate, and work your tail off. If you do
these things, good things will happen,
8. What are some key goalkeeping (or other) products, besides gloves, that you use on
a consistent basis?
Besides a quality pair of goalkeeper gloves, some good tights are game changing for training. I
always wear tights when I train to protect my skin, especially when training on turf. I
highly recommend all young goalkeepers to invest in a pair of tights.
9. What are your long-term goals as a professional?
I have a couple long term goals as a professional soccer player.
- Be the best teammate, and person in the community that I can be while having this
platform as a professional soccer player
- Win a championship for the Charleston Battery. I just signed a new multi-year deal with
the Battery and I want to win the club a championship in the next couple of years. The club
has given me the opportunity to live out my dream and be a professional soccer player
and I will always be grateful for the club.
- Earn an MLS contract. It has always been another dream of mine to play in the MLS. I
think it is still attainable to accomplish that dream, so I will continue to be the best
person and player that I can be each and every day to put myself in a position to
hopefully reach that goal one day.
10. What has been your favorite game that you've played as a professional so far?
My favorite game so far that I have played as a professional was this past season
against Atlanta United in the Open Cup round of 16. Atlanta brought and played a
strong lineup with DPs and national team players. I put together my best performance
as a professional and kept a clean sheet and took the game to PKs. I saved a US
National team player's penalty on the first kick and the crowd erupted. Definitely a game
and a moment I will never forget.
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