The Cosmos were in our favor as we scored our 2nd interview of the year with this perennial fan favorite, once in the off season and just days before the big rematch with the one team that got in their way of yet another title last year, Detroit City FC. Bledi got the start in Warwick taking on New Amsterdam and yes of course he delivered with a goal and was dangerous throughout.
We opened by making sure that he and all of his family both here and back home are well from the virus etc., he asured us that yes, all are well. During the worst of times of the CoronavIrus crisis locally he told of it being very difficult to train as there were no fields open, but he tried to stay fit. With pre-season. it became better with small group training in groups of 5 for about 3 weeks, then it was onto full contact. When his teammates arrived, all were in shape, that is a very good sign of the dedication of all.
The Independent Cup was he felt an important thing as it helped to get all match fit, playing within your team does get you there as it does an opponent, they were able to play 2 of the 3 games (weather) with players getting in for a half each game.
Unsigned for the better part of the off-season with Queensboro FC and David Villa, they know eachother well, lurking, the USL & others in NISA showing an interest, the interest was not reciprocated as he had the Cosmos as his sole interest, it they want him, he was going back.
As for his goal at the Christian Fuchs owned facility in Warwick, in a Derby, their second meeting this year, it was needed as they had been tied very late in their last game. He told of Shavon dribbling a few players then getting the ball to him for the goal. New Amsterdam had a 17 year old in goal, he was doing a great job, not showing his age and had a number of goal saving moments, came off his line well and has yet to play his senior year in HS.
Next up, their nemesis of last year, Detroit City FC, tied them, beat NY, beating them again in the final and the title. As it was last year, Bledi sees this as a must win game to get the three points is crucial. Last year DCFC took the trophy and NY now needs to prove they are the better team. He sees no advantage to either side as there are former Cosmos players there and Matt Lewis was with Detroit during the earlier part of the year.