Europe is the dream destination for soccer players who want to get out there and make a career for themselves, with the big teams and the big leagues the ultimate goal. One of the newest Americans to sign on with a European team is Jordan Bender.
The Floridian midfielder recently signed on with FK Metta in Latvia’s Virsliga, the country’s top division. Jordan spoke with Yanks Abroad about his journey from the youth leagues of Central Florida to signing a professional contract in Europe.
“I basically started playing soccer as soon as I could run,” the 22-year-old said. I’ve been playing my whole life.”
Spotted by Orlando City FC, he joined their academy as a 12-year-old.
“I moved up the academy age groups, I think it was up to the U18s. I was playing U18 when I was 16 and then I signed for OCB (Orlando City’s B team) on an amateur contract. I signed an amateur contract with them just in case I needed to go to college. But then that ended because things kinda got complicated.”
Jordan then returned to the OC academy and even went to a few pre-season games with the first team.
“They liked me and they kept watching me at the academy. Eventually they signed me to a first team contract. I stayed with the OC first team for two seasons before parting ways with them.”
Bender then decided to test the waters outside of the United States but it wasn’t to Europe. The young man found himself about 8,000 from home when he landed in South Africa. He signed on with Cape Town City FC of the South African Premier Division where he spent a season, making 10 appearances.
“I wasn’t starting consistently but I was making more appearances than I did with Orlando City. I was coming off the bench getting 20 to 30 minutes here and there.”
Leaving the African continent, Jordan was offered a chance to play in Latvia for a second division team. The whole ordeal however was not straight-forward and it took some time to actually get to where he is today.
Eric Friedlander, an entrepreneur, physical trainer and owner of the Ricfit brand, was starting a team in Latvia.
“Eric was starting up a team here in the second tier and he offered me a contract to play for them. At the time, I really didn’t have anything else concrete, although I had trials set up here and there, but that was the only thing concrete. I told him yes, I think I’ll come.
“While waiting to head to the Baltic country for the pre-season, an opportunity came up to trial for a division 1 club in Sweden. While I was with them, Eric sent me a message saying that the investors pulled out of that club.”
Eskilstuna (the Swedish club) wanted to sign me but they had just gotten relegated the season before so they weren’t getting as much money coming in from the league for international players; and they weren’t able to get sponsors that quickly. (I was told that) I was going to have to find a sponsor in order to play for them, which was complicated because I’ve never heard of that before.”
The Lake Mary native was then thrown a life line. His agent contacted him to let him know that a team in Latvia wanted to see him. Friedlander was key in helping make this move possible with his Latvian contacts, where he has been living and also playing for the past couple of years.
“It was very last minute and I didn’t know where things were going at the club in Sweden because of the money issue. I told them that I wanted to play for them but if we can’t make a contract work right now then I’m going to have to go to Latvia.”
Arriving in Latvia days later and trialing with FK Metta for two weeks, Bender signed on the dotted line.
The Virsliga season starts early in the year, goes through the summer and then concludes before the frigid weather arrives in the Baltic States. The season is only seven games old, so early days for this team that has had a bit of a turn-over of players from last season, so they are still working on getting to know each other on and off the field and most importantly, working on becoming one cohesive unit.
Bender quickly slotted into the team, starting six of the seven games though not yet finding the back of the net from his midfield position. He is one of six foreigners on the roster.
Hoping to improve on their seven points over the seven games, Sunday will be derby day for Futbola Klubs Metta, as they welcome Riga FC to Daugava Stadium.
Yanks Abroad will continue to follow Jordan on his European adventure, so do check back to find out how things work out for Europe’s newest Yank Abroad.
