FRISCO, Texas – As Tesho Akindele prepares for his second MLS season, he has one simple message: “One good year, that’s not a career.”
And with that mind, FC Dallas forward is attacking preseason with the vigor that earned him the 2014 AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year award.
“Last year I was an unknown,” Akindele said. “Nobody knew me in the league, so no one knew what to expect. There wasn’t too much pressure on me, but I proved that I can score goals.”
Coming out of the Colorado School of Mines, Akindele became the first NCAA Division II player drafted in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft, and, under the tutelage of head coach Oscar Pareja, earned his way into the record books as the first player in FC Dallas history to win Rookie of the Year after scoring seven regular-season goals and adding three assists.
He also added an extra-time winner against FC Dallas’ in-state rivals, the Houston Dynamo, in the US Open Cup along with the opening goal in the team’s 2-1 playoff victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Now he’s left to answer the question of whether he can follow it up now that he’s come to the attention of the other MLS clubs.
“Here the coaches are expecting a lot more out of me,” the Canadian-born forward said. “Throughout the league, the teams are probably looking at me a little closer before the game, so I need to step up my performance and I’m working hard.”
He’ll also have to eventually answer the question of which international team he chooses to represent.
Born in Canada, but raised in Colorado, Akindele became the subject of interest from both the Canadian and US national teams as his play became harder and harder to ignore and he completed his US citizenship requirements.
He was asked about the Canadian training camp held late last year, but as FC Dallas was still in the thick of the playoff hunt, he was not able to participate. Last month, though, he did join the US national team for their camp leading into friendlies against Chile and Panama.
“I went to the camp to get a taste of international soccer,” the forward said. “I talked with both programs before I went. Jurgen [Klinsmann, US head coach] was understanding that I was undecided – he didn’t rush me into any of the games.
“I had a great time,” Akindele added. “I’m really glad I went. It opened my eyes up to another level of the game that I want to push myself to reach where they are.”
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The camp was successful for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the coaching and feedback the forward received.
“The coaching staff said I did well,” Akindele said. “I didn’t look out of place; I competed well. I felt good the whole time I was there. They told me that they would like me over there. They said I can compete for the position.
“Obviously, I need to keep improving, which I know and they told me that straight up. I thought I made a good impression.”
The experience now on his resume, Akindele can digest what he went through and continue to work on his game. As for his international future, that decision does not appear to be coming any time soon.
“It’s a lifelong decision, so don’t want to rush into it,” he said.
Echoing advice he has gotten from teammates and coaches, he added, “Take your time and go with your heart.”
