Diego Valeri, the Argentine attacking midfielder that plays for MLS Western Conference Portland Timbers is working towards the upcoming Major League Soccer season, which he hopes will resume soon.
Although remaining hopeful like many, Valeri admits he doesn’t really know what the rest of 2020 will bring for the MLS. But in the meantime he isn’t only training to keep fit physically, but also using the downtime to work on his strategic soccer development.
Making the most of the break forced by the Coronavirus pandemic, Diego Valeri is taking online soccer-coaching courses that are taught from his native soccer-nation Argentina.
Diego Valeri’s MLS Career
Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Diego Hernan Valeri played for a decade in local soccer club Atletico Lunas. He arrived at 2013 to MLS club Portland Timbers, and won MLS Newcomer of the Year Award and helped Portland to reach first place in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference for that year.
In 2015, Valeri scored in the MLS Cup Final after 27 seconds against Columbus Crew, and it was considered the fastest goal in MLS Cup history. He also won the MLS Cup MVP Award for that year.
Throughout his career with the Portland Timbers Valeri has been, and still is considered an instrumental player to the team and has won several more awards, such as the Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award for 2017 and more.
Working From Home
Like many around the world, Diego Valeri is also facing the challenges of working from home. Especially as this 33 year old midfielder’s office is the Portland Timbers training facilities, Providence Park 25,000-seat stadium, and other Major League Soccer stadiums with tens of thousands of fans in the stands.
For now Valeri is kicking a soccer ball with his daughter on the balcony of their Portland family home. He is trying to keep himself updated on the news, especially when it comes to Major League Soccer. Valeri says he keeps in constant touch through video conferencing and phone with three main groups: Timbers’ team and coaching staff, Spanish-speaking players and English-speaking players.
Predicting What’s Next
When asked if he believes the Portland Timbers will get back to playing this season, Valeri says he hopes for Major League Soccer to return in 2020, but that it has nothing to do with the MLS, and everything to do with science and being able to deal with the Coronavirus. “The medical part of this society has to find a treatment,” said Valeri. “Otherwise it’s going to be tough.”
When asked about the possibility of games being played in empty stadiums soon, Valeri said: “It’s a bit part of the game at any level, but it is the only way to do it, we can play a game without supporters there.”
Studying to Become Coach
Between home training, family time and connecting with his MLS and Portland Timbers’ colleagues, Diego Valeri is also taking online coaching courses.
“Basically, it is an online course with different licenses, started by Cesar Luis Menotti in Argentina.” Valeri explains, citing the legendary coach that led Argentina to the 1978 World Cup and founded an all-attacking coaching movement.
“I like his style a lot and admire him, and I admire the majority of people who are teaching through this portal, I love it.” Said Valeri. “I started two and a half years ago. I basically finished it and finished the exams.” He added.
But the 33 year-old attacking midfielder still doesn’t want to commit to coaching being the next step of his soccer career. “I don’t know if I’m going to coach. I’m just having something else to be prepared…You don’t need to be a coach. What Menotti has is a style, a vision for soccer and for the soccer player.”
