CHESTER, Pa. – This past weekend, MLS fans around the country bore witness to what Philadelphia Union coaches and players have seen for weeks.
Union rookie Eric Ayuk, who uncorked a wild backflip celebration during Philly’s 2-1 win over New York City FC on Saturday, is a fun-loving teenager with a youthful exuberance for the game.
And it’s becoming contagious.
“He brings that innocence and joy back into the fold,” Union midfielder Michael Lahoud said. “He’s always smiling. You saw how excited he was to celebrate a goal that wasn’t even his. He reminds a lot of us older guys to have fun and play with a smile on our face, because not everyone gets to do this.”
The fact that Ayuk is having so much fun has impressed his teammates, who didn’t know much about the Cameroonian midfielder before he arrived at Union camp as a preseason trialist. During those first few days in camp, Union head coach Jim Curtin said Ayuk’s “head was spinning” as he tried to figure out the training sessions, more structured than those in his previous stops in Cameroon and Thailand.
But the precocious 18-year-old never lacked enthusiasm or freakish athleticism – Curtin said he does backflips all the time at practice and can even do one while taking a penalty kick – and he quickly paired that with a thirst to learn a new culture and language.
“I’m the little one,” said Ayuk, who’s been taking English classes ever since he got to the United States. “I listen to everybody when they speak to me in training. … It’s a team and it’s a family.”
“He’s become a guy now that all the guys love in the locker room,” Curtin said. “He’s won them over. He gets treated like the little brother by everyone. He puts a smile on everybody’s face, because he brings a smile to the field every day."
Being so young comes with another perk: Ayuk is fearless during games. Just before making his first start in Kansas City on April 5, Lahoud remembers captain Maurice Edu finishing his talk in the pregame huddle when Ayuk chirped in with a simple request: “Give me the ball.”
“Those were his first words,” Lahoud said with a laugh. “Welcome to MLS. He’s a very confident kid. He’s got fantastic determination. And his balance – he’s got three legs, practically.”
Ayuk has played in four straight games for the Union and started the last two, providing important minutes in the midfield as the team dealt with a rash of injuries. He also showcased his ability to run at defenders and his creativity, with Curtin saying, “I don’t think he knows what he’s going to do, but then when he gets the ball, he goes by guys."
The Union coach added that he felt bad that Ayuk didn’t get credit for the goal last week that led to the backflips. But it seems like the young Cameroonian will get the chance to start – and possibly flip – again for Thursday's rematch against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium (7pm ET, MLS LIVE).
“I can’t say enough about how well the kid has come into a tough environment and not just accepted making the 18, but he’s pushed to be a starter,” Curtin said. “He’s earned the right to be a starter. I can’t take him off the field after his last two performances.”
Dave Zeitlin covers the Union for MLSsoccer.com. Email him at djzeitlin@gmail.com.
