Suburban soccer star emerges with new World Cup cycle
A new World Cup cycle has started, and with it comes new faces.
Eric Lichaj is the kind of new face U.S. soccer fans want to see when the Yanks take the field Saturday night (7 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel, Galavision) at Soldier Field for a friendly against Poland.
At age 21, the former Downers Grove Roadrunner is one of this country's bright young talents. A right back who just signed a new contract with Aston Villa in the English Premier League, Lichaj (pronounced Lee-high) is getting a chance to prove himself in one of the world's best professional soccer leagues.
He also wants to prove he can play international soccer, with a goal of going to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“Hopefully, I'll get my first cap, Lichaj said after training Wednesday at Toyota Park. “I'm looking forward to playing at Soldier Field. Hopefully, I'll get on. That's the plan at least. But it feels good as well because I'm in Chicago. All my family is here. Hopefully, they'll be watching it at the game. So it's all good.
Lichaj is taking advantage of this brief break from his EPL season to visit with some family and friends and a special local girl he has been seeing. It's unusual for him to return home during the season, and he's enjoying this six-day trip.
He'd enjoy it more if he sees the field Saturday night.
“Eric is a young guy that obviously we've been keeping our eye on, U.S. coach Bob Bradley said. “I think we had him in one other camp (though he was not rostered with the team at that camp). This is nice because it's a whole week of training. It gives him a chance to settle in.
“So far he's been good. I've seen him when he played in the one Carling Cup match for Aston Villa. Even with things there you can see he's moving up the ladder little by little. So a young player that we still are excited to bring into camp.
Ironically, Lichaj could have been on the other bench Saturday night. The Polish federation sent Aston Villa an e-mail inquiring about whether the kid with Polish heritage would play for Poland.
“I just said I'd rather go with the U.S., Lichaj said. “It was that simple.
Lichaj is just one of the Americans called in with Chicago ties. Michael Bradley grew up in Palatine when his father, the U.S. coach, had the same job with the Fire. The older Bradley's assistants include former Fire players Lubos Kubik, Jesse Marsch and Mike Sorber. Former Fire defender Carlos Bocanegra is back in town with the national team, as is Arlington Heights native and West Ham left back Jonathan Spector.
“It's a great feeling to be back, said Spector, 24, who went to this summer's World Cup with the U.S. team but did not play. “It's always nice to come back here and play in Chicago. There are some special memories here. I made my debut for Manchester United here against Bayern Munich. I played in the Gold Cup final here. Playing in front of family and friends makes it extra special for me.
oschwarz@dailyherald.com