Toronto FC coach Preki always preaches about teamwork, but this week he will be in the spotlight for his achievements as an individual in the game when he is inducted into the United States National Soccer Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place ahead of the United States’ international friendly against Brazil on Tuesday at the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey.
“It will be a proud moment for me to get this individual recognition, but I wish I could share the achievement with a lot of other people who have been involved and really helped me throughout the years.”
“I am going to be part of an incredible group of people, and throughout my career everybody who I have come across has contributed in one way or another to my success. You always try to pick up the good things, but sometimes you also pick up bad things and learn from those examples as well. That’s how I grew as a player and that is how I am growing as a coach now.”
Preki’s playing career started with his hometown Red Star Belgrade, and he also spent time in England with Everton and Portsmouth, but as a Major League Soccer original, he is known as one of the best attackers to play in the league.
He won the MLS Cup during a nine year spell with Kansas City Wizards and is the only player to have won the MLS MVP Award and the MLS Scoring Champion Award twice. He retired in 2005 and was named to the MLS All-Time Best XI.
Preki also made his mark at international level and after gaining his U.S. citizenship in 1996, he represented the United States at the 1998 World Cup in France. He scored four goals in 28 international appearances.
“I appreciate all of the moments I have had in the game.” said Preki. “All the people around me have helped tremendously, but my love and passion for the game itself is something that is always going to be part of my life.”
“I will enjoy the moment but my job here is all about the team and not individuals. Soccer is a team sport. If the team is successful, we are all successful. If the team is not successful, nothing else really matters. When we speak to the team it is always about ‘we’ and ‘us’, it is never about ‘I’. We are strong as a group and we are strong as a franchise so success will come. If you believe in doing the right things and have a group of people that understand what you are trying to do and are committed to doing those things, you will achieve your goals.”
