Steve Covino was a fan favorite in 2010 when he starred for the Pioneers. He was kind enough to talk to us on the eve of the US Open Cup match between his new team (F.C. New York) and his old team (Pioneers)! Steve is the first Pioneers player to turn pro since the Pioneers joined the PDL in 2010 and focused on developing future professional soccer players.
What were your soccer experiences after the 2010 PDL schedule ended?
After the 2010 season ended I returned to Siena College to start my senior year with the team in Loudonville, NY. I ended up having the best year of my career and as a result I signed with F.C. New York in February 2011.
What was your most memorable event with the Pioneers?
My most memorable event with the team was definitely traveling to Ottawa to take on the Ottawa Fury with only 11 fit players. We found a lot of ways to pass the time on that long bus ride and even though we lost the game, we stayed in a great hotel with plenty of attractions right down the street and luckily all the international players were allowed back into the states!
What was the biggest challenge or change from playing in the PDL to playing pro soccer?
I think the biggest change from playing in the PDL to playing pro soccer is the speed of the game. Everything happens much quicker at the higher level and the biggest challenge for me was adapting to that change by learning to quicken my game in every way that I could.
In what ways did the Pioneers help you in turning pro?
Playing for the Pioneers definitely played a major role in helping me develop into a better player which allowed me to then go on and become a professional. The entire club operates in such a professional manner that it practically feels like you are already playing for a professional team. During my time with the Pioneers I received fantastic coaching through the likes of long time Pioneers coach Leszek Wrona and I also had the pleasure of playing in front of such dedicated and passionate fans in Western Mass. Overall, I enjoyed every minute of playing for the team that I myself grew up watching as a child, and maybe i'll get the chance to play for the Pioneers again at some point in my career!
What tips do you have for current Pioneers in their dream of becoming pro?
I think the best advice is to always remain positive in every aspect of the game and to keep training hard and if you put enough time and effort in, you’ll get rewarded in the end.
