The journey of “Italians” continues in search of Italian sportsmen who play abroad in sporting activities and championships that are culturally different from those in Europe.
Let’s go back to North America to talk about football again. Yes, in the MLS soccer championship , precisely in Canada , there are not only Italian phenomena such as Giovinco, Mancosu and Donadel, but the Milanese Paolo Tornaghi plays in the Vancouver Whitecaps goal .
A goalkeeper who grew up in the Inter youth teams and the first Italian ever to sign with a Major League soccer team , he did so in 2012 with Chicago Fire .
In Italy, unfortunately, he did not have a very easy career. The experiences on loan from Inter in Lega Pro (Como and Rimini) did not give Paolo Tornaghi that situation of stability also due to injuries.
From there the plan to fly overseas, signing a contract with the Chicago Fire and the following season with the Vancouver Whitecaps where he is now a pillar of the locker room .
How is your experience in Vancouver going
I’m in the fourth season in the Whitecaps. I would say that after the first few years of satisfaction (MLS playoffs and Canadian Cup victory), this year we have struggled a bit more. Luckily we made it to the Concacaf Champions League semi-final in February, which was a historic milestone for the club.
Why did you choose to fly to America
From 2010-2011 I started to think concretely about having an experience abroad. I lived from inside the failure of Rimini in Lega Pro, with the great difficulties it entails for a player and perhaps then the long groin injury I had burdened me even more. In January 2012 the Chicago Fire came forward looking for a goalkeeper to support the owner who would often be involved with the US national team for the Olympics. I took the gloves and left.
Raised in the youth academy of Inter, then it is difficult to break through in the football that matters to him. What must be done to enter the big team
Whether for the role, or for the situation in the post Mourinho, there was a lot of confusion at Inter at that time. It was very clear to me that my opportunities should be sought elsewhere. There are few who have made it (Balotelli, Bonucci, Destro and Santon). I would say that already at the Primavera level you really need to establish yourself among the 4-5 best players in the entire league. Obviously it takes quality, humility but also a lot of effort and a good dose of luck.
⚽️ #TBT # 1998 #Inter pic.twitter.com/b0i5L1QPiO
– Paolo Tornaghi (@PaulTornaghi) December 15, 2016
How are the relationships in the locker room
Our team reflects a lot the city from a multi-ethnic point of view. We are the club with the most foreigners. The fact that there are many South Americans is less nostalgic for Italy. The North Americans are the glue between the various foreigners and it is thanks to them that the group is united.
How do you live in Vancouver
Vancouver is a very liveable and multi-ethnic city, at the top of many world rankings for quality of life. In winter it is not very cold but you must always have an umbrella with you (laughs, ed). A lot of people here do winter sports but clearly I’m not allowed. Fortunately, with the arrival of summer you can relax on the beach, walk or cycle in the large city parks or along the promenade. Thanks to the many cultures present, even the restaurants are particular and of quality. I also follow other sports such as NBA and Football.
“If someone pushes me towards a weakness, I’ll turn that weakness into a strength” -Michael Jordan #determination
pic.twitter.com/Eix9CeACNu
– Paolo Tornaghi (@PaulTornaghi) May 24, 2017
How was the setting in America
The impact with the US was massive since I didn’t come here as a tourist. At the time, the Chicago Fire didn’t give me a big hand in adapting and I had to make do by myself, for example, to find a house. There have also been awkward episodes such as difficulty getting used to sleeping without darkening the windows. Here they are used to having no shutters and the first few nights were nightmare with the sun in your eyes as it wakes you up. Furthermore, in my first apartment, the laundry room was shared throughout the building, as happens in many American buildings, there are countless times I forgot my laundry in the washing machine all night or even until the following evening (laughs, ed. ).
How do you currently rate the level of the championship Mls
The level has grown a lot and is developing more and more. I would say that a big hand has been given by the many South American players who, not yet ready for European football, move to Mls first. Then of course, players like Giovinco, Villa, Drogba and Pirlo make up 70% of the attacking phase of a team, scoring goals and creating chances in every match.
There are some dreams that you have not yet realized
. Well yes of course a lot. Surely the biggest one, which I was able to savor as a guest when I was aggregated to the first team at Inter, is that of playing a Champions League match. For a player it would be the best to hear the anthem directly on the pitch.
Have you always had a propensity to be a goalkeeper or was there someone or something that pushed you by chance to stay in the goal?
I started at the age of 7 as a forward in the team of my country, Cormano. During a shooting exercise on an empty goal, you had to go and retrieve your own ball just kicked into the net. I, after having kicked and recovered mine, stopped in the door waiting for my partner’s shot. Four shots saved and the coach asked me if I wanted to be a goalkeeper and from there I started it all.
Among the various foreign experiences which satisfied you the most on a professional and human level
Both in Chicago and here in Vancouver I have had beautiful seasons. The debut with the Fire in front of 60 thousand spectators was exciting. The staff had great faith in me. In Canada, on the other hand, I also live well for the beautiful human relationships cultivated with companions and their families and for life in the city.
You intend to return to Italy
By doing this job, there is no limit to the future. I don’t really exclude anything thinking about the continuation of my career. After almost 6 years so far from Italy and Europe I am sincere that I feel the lack of many aspects and if an opportunity should happen I would really think about it. But if this does not happen, I will go on together with the entire MLS in this incredible growth of American football.
The goalkeeper wanted to greet our readers …
Dario Sette
