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Halifax born Canadian International Ante Jazic is off to an excellent start in 2012 with Major League Soccer side Chivas and his consistency and veteran leadership have him well placed to be selected by Canadian National Team Head Coach Stephen Hart later in the year for when Canada resumes its qualifying campaign for Brazil 2014. A consumate professional who is thriving in his seventh season in the MLS, Jazic looks set to play a key role for a Chivas USA side that looks like it is going to challenge for a playoff spot this season.
In this interview, Ante and RedNation discuss his career in Major League Soccer with the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA, his longevity as a professional player thriving at age thirty-six and the current state of Canadian soccer.
RedNation Online: Ante, you are one of the elder statesmen on Chivas USA and with the Canadian Men's National Team. Given that you are now 36 years old, how long do you plan to keep playing?
Ante Jazic: I take it day by day. I have one more year left on my contract and this season has started off pretty well for me. I feel pretty physically fit, just like I did last year. So we'll see. At my age, form can probably deteriorate pretty quickly, but right now I feel really good and really strong, so I will keep going as long as I can.
RedNation Online: Your former Los Angeles Galaxy teammates David Beckham is also 36 and is noted for his longevity as a player. Did he ever give you any tips in terms of prolonging your career?
Ante Jazic: I really didn't get any tips from him. I watched him and he is an ultimate pro in terms of the way he takes care of himself and the way he trains. So I think I have been pretty professional throughout my career and that is what has allowed me to play for as long as I have at the level that I have. I know what I have to do to get ready and I know how my body reacts. We'll see what the future holds. I still have a passion for it and, if I have a passion for it, I can still play at high level.
RedNation Online: How do you think you have changed as a player compared to the young Ante Jazic who started his professional career in Croatia back in 1997?
Ante Jazic: Obviously with age comes experience. I feel I can see things on the pitch before they develop and that allows me to get into the proper space where I can just read the game and make things easier for myself. That's the biggest difference.
RedNation Online: What are your impressions of the next generation of Canadian players? Did you get a chance to watch the Canadian U-23 Olympic team competing in the recent qualifying tournament in the United States?
Ante Jazic: I watched the Olympic team and they did great. I'm really proud of Tony Fonseca and the job he did. The guys battled and had an unlucky result against Cuba. Obviously they would have liked to have played Honduras rather than Mexico. But overall I thought they did the Canadian nation proud with their effort.
RedNation Online: You are a Chivas USA player, but I am curious about your thoughts on the current situation here in Toronto with TFC struggling to start the season and the Toronto fans in a turbulent state of mind. Have you ever experienced anything like TFC is going through now?
Ante Jazic: I've played on many teams that have struggled and the thing is, they played well against us, but they aren't getting the breaks. Our keeper made a few critical saves for us. They are battling and they're trying. It is just one of those things that they are in a funk right now. Hoepfully the fans will still support them. They are putting the effort in, but they just aren't reaping the rewards. If they continue to work hard and continue to play the way they did against us, I'm sure the wins are just around the corner.
RedNation Online: What do you think is the secret to winning in the MLS?
Ante Jazic: You have to be solid defensively first and foremost. Your back line has to be a cohesive unit and then you build from there. I think we have that now at Chivas and I don't think we had that in the past. I think you definitely have to start from the back line and then build up.
RedNation Online: As a Canadian, what are your thoughts on the fact that, with Montreal joining the MLS this year, there are now three Canadian MLS teams?
Ante Jazic: I think it is fantastic. The more Canadian teams the better. I know Jesse Marsch really well and he is great coach. There are a few Canadians playing there and I think if we can get more Canadians playing at a high level week in, week out, it just bodes well for the future.
RedNation Online: Back in 2006, you had other options in Europe but chose to return to North America and sign with the Los Angeles Galaxy. When you made that decision, did you ever imagine that the MLS would grow to become what it is today?
Ante Jazic: No, I had no idea that the players that have signed with league - like Thierry Henry and Torsten Frings - would be here. The league is improving, the quality is getting better and the fans are coming, so it is an exciting time to be part of MLS.
RedNation Online: It is my understanding that you are settled and enjoying life in California. That said, you were born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, so I'm wondering how often you get back to Maritimes?
Ante Jazic: I do get back for Christmas. I'm back for a couple of weeks a year. I enjoy Los Angeles, especially the weather, as opposed to Canadian weather. But I am Canadian at heart. I'm happy in L.A., but in soccer you never what can happen tomorrow. At thirty-six I can't see myself moving on to play anywhere else.
RedNation Online: The Canadian National Team will resume World Cup qualifying in the summer. Have you heard anything from Canadian National Team Head Coach Stephen Hart and are you hoping to play for Canada later on in the year?
Ante Jazic: I haven't heard anything from Stephen (Hart), but if I have the opportunity, I would love to. Like I said, I feel good and I'm pretty fit right now. So if he needs me, I'll be ready. If not, I will be rooting the team on.
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