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Out of all the Canadian soccer players to come from Windsor, the best player has to be Stephen Ademolu. After university, Ademolu went straight to Europe playing for Trelleborgs, Tromso, Lov-Ham and Ekranas. He then signed for the Canadian Soccer League’s Windsor Stars in 2011 scoring 17 goals in 18 outings. Ademolu is currently a free agent and was recently named assistant men’s coach at the University of Windsor. We recently caught up with him for a quick chat.
RedNation Online (RNO): Stephen, now that you are a free agent, where would you like to sign? I get the feeling that you still have more than enough gas in the tank for some more playing in Europe?
Stephen Ademolu: Yes, I’m a free agent right now. I got a lot left in the tank (laughs) but the game has changed and it’s not how good you are – it’s things I don’t even know anymore. But I’m
going to keep on going until my knees give out on me. Like seriously, you look at my highlights and you don’t think I can play for any team in the MLS? It’s more than how good you are.
RNO: You played in the Canadian Soccer League in 2011 and 2012. Has the league been improving? What are your thoughts on the league in general?
Stephen Ademolu: Well I didn’t know much about it before but there is a lot of potential in this league and a lot of players in this league have played in Europe at a high level. I don’t get why Canada’s national team or even Toronto FC wouldn’t pick up some of the players in this league. If we put an all-star team of CSL players against TFC, we would beat them for sure. Other than the referees – in particular the ones who are on a power high – it’s good. I also have to say that I understand what Canada is trying to do with female referees but I just want to say that it’s too soon to have them in the CSL.
RNO: You signed for the NASL’s Atlanta Silverbacks in 2012. Did you get to play for them?
Stephen Ademolu: No. Due to the American system of applying for a Visa, I didn’t get a chance.
RNO: What was it like representing Canada on five occasions? Was it a big honour?
Stephen Ademolu: It was great! The last time was the greatest experience ever. I played against Argentina and Venezuela. It was a great experience and makes me feel proud to know I was selected as the best in Canada to play against two big teams. I am the first person from my hometown who can say that they played against Argentina and I don’t mean in Playstation (laughs).
RNO: What do you plan on doing after you retire?
Stephen Ademolu: I am planning on opening up an academy. It’s almost done and I believe it will change the game in Ontario and hopefully Canada. I’m very passionate about soccer and I feel this academy will lead generations to come the right way. There are a lot of things wrong with Canada in that a lot of the good players that have played in Europe should spread their knowledge but I will do my part.
RNO: You played in UEFA Cup games against some pretty big teams. What was that like?
Stephen Ademolu: It was another great experience. Even scoring against Galatasaray – I mean, I’m in the history books in Turkey and they will forever know my name. I literally left my mark there. I’m proud of how far I came. I played against some big teams and to have people on the other team say I should play in a better league (especially after the Strasbourg UEFA Cup game) made me feel proud! I also got to play in the Champions League and again, how many players from Canada have done that? Well I am going to make sure with my academy that I won’t be one of a few.
RNO: After studying and playing at Windsor, North Carolina and Cleveland, you made the move straight to Europe – signing with Trelleborgs in 2004. You did well there scoring 12 goals in 30 league outings. What was it like being a university kid from Canada playing in a foreign country? Are you happy that you went to school first or do you wish there was some sort of academy back then (like TFC Academy) to guide you in a slightly different direction?
Stephen Ademolu: It was so fun, coming from Cleveland State where we were partying and playing soccer to actually being able to say that I’m pro and people wanting to shake my hand, take pictures with me, being in the newspaper and signing a thousand autographs. It was a big shock but like my cousin Michael Carter who plays for the Montreal Alouettes says: we just work harder when things get harder and we love it. While I was at Cleveland State University the MLS wasn’t even on my radar. To be straight up with you, Toronto doesn’t really look at people from Windsor as much as we all would think. We get overlooked a lot and that’s just the culture. I mean, at 17 years old I was OYSL MVP of the Year and top goalscorer and never made the provincial team.
RNO: What are your thoughts on the Canadian national team? Do you think you could help them out with your experience?
Stephen Ademolu: Well I’m disappointed because I know I can help and I’m not getting a chance. Steve Hart knew when I was playing that I would give my all and I would play any position asked of me. Any coach will tell you I’m a different breed of player. With my experience and my will to teach, HELL YEAH I would help but since I’m technically unattached it doesn’t make it any easier. Again, I can tell you just like this – and no disrespect to any Canadian national team player – but I am the best kept secret and there is only Dwayne De Rosario who I still consistently watch that brings more to the table than me. If I could get a chance than I could show people. I can do a shooting contest, a sprinting contest, crossing contest, first touch contest or anything-kind-of-contest for the national team and then people would see that I’m a problem on the field. A good problem to have though because I give you everything the right way.
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