By Kendra Lee
Get To Know A National Team Player: The Next Generation
Name: Marcus Godinho
Age: 18
Position: Defender
Hometown: Vaughan, Ontario
Current Club: TFC II in the USL
The next generation of the Canadian National Team are already training to represent their country on the international stage. Marcus Godinho grew up just outside of Toronto and his love for soccer began by accident when his grandfather signed him up for a team. He attended a Canada Men’s U-18 camp earlier in the year in April, and now he’s been called to the U-20 camp. We had the chance to chat about his experience at that camp in September.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Vaughan and I played soccer for North York Hearts. Then, I moved down to Toronto for a little bit, played for Toronto Sporting just for fun at the time and then back up to Woodbridge. I played there for a couple of years. Then I moved to Kleinburg, in that little area and then I made my way back to Toronto and onto TFC.
What got you hooked on playing soccer?
It was actually my grandfather by mistake. Yeah, I was supposed to play hockey and he decided, well he got mad and signed me up one day. My parents didn’t know about it so he brought me. I enjoyed it and fell in love with it.
What has inspired you to keep going?
Just a love for it. I really enjoy my time out there. I always have the best time of my life.
Do you have any players you look up to?
Yeah, Dani Alves and Philipp Lahm. Both are in my position and exceptional players. I’m really inspired to be like them.
Who has helped you develop the most in your youth career?
I have to say my U-15 Toronto FC coach Anthony Capotoso. He really taught me defensive principles of the game and gave me a lot of confidence going forward. He was a huge influence on me.
Now that you’re into your professional career are you finding any difficulties or an adjustment period?
A little bit. Obviously training’s a lot harder so in recovery I have to be a lot more focused than I used to be. For the physical portion, it’s a lot harder to adapt to the game so I’m having to think a little bit more to find my way around because I’m not one of the biggest guys on the pitch. But other than that, it’s been a pretty smooth transition.
Are you finding the mental part of the game is a little bit tougher as well?
It is, but I feel like I’m up to the challenge. It’s been one of my stronger areas of my game. I really feel like I think before I get the ball so it’s been alright.
What have you been learning about the game and yourself?
Well, about myself, for sure, how hard I can actually push myself. Especially in the last camp, I had to play four games in five days so it was really tough. So I’m learning my limits. About the game, just tactically I’m learning a lot of new things, especially in this camp. It’s good to revisit some things and learn about formations and it’s always good to learn some new things about your position. There’s always something to learn.
How do you hope that the sport in Canada is going to grow in the future?
Well, I feel like they’ve already taken a good step with the USL teams, adding that in. Hopefully that will continue to push young players through and eventually if that connection continues with the National Team I feel like it’s going to keep progressing.
Would you hope to play in Canada for your whole career?
Hopefully, yeah! For the National Team, I really enjoy it I like the coaching staff obviously, the players and what better than to represent your home country. And at a club level, obviously I want to start here it would be a dream to play for Toronto FC in my home city, but eventually I do want to progress further and maybe move to Europe.