A few months ago, CroatianSoccerReport.com did a story on up-and-coming Croatian-American soccer player, Peter Hazdovac. After attending the Kranjčar Soccer Academy in Zagreb and then training with Prva Liga side, NK Zadar, Hazdovac was loaned out to NK GOŠK Dubrovnik of the Croatian Treća Liga (Third League).
Since then, he’s been absolutely tearing the league apart with almost a goal in every game as well as leading GOŠK to the top of the table. Hazdovac is unsure of what he will do when the winter break hits; as he will come back home to Los Angeles for the holidays. Currently, teammates desperately want Peter to return after the break to finish what they all started.
In his most recent game in Split, Peter scored 2 goals in a 2-0 GOŠK win. He was also tripped up in the first 5 minutes of the game by the opposing keeper, who was given a straight red.
Nick Green, author of 100% Soccer and sports columnist at the 100,000 circulation Daily Breeze newspaper, based out of Torrance, Ca. recently had an interview with Peter which ran on October 20th.
One reader left a comment that I think justifies Peter’s current situation:
“I am fortunate to be currently living in Dubrovnik where I am working as a photographer for the two national newspapers, Jutarnji List and Slobodna Dalmacija and have photographed several of Peter’s games with GOŠK. After seeing him play, I agree that Peter is too good for his entire League. The team he is playing for was a pathetic afterthought in the city. After his arrival, Peter brought a new energy and spirit to his teammates, was responsible for goals in every game he played in and took his team straight to first place in the standings. Peter’s energy transcends just physical talent and this is what the “secret sauce” is to being a pro athlete. I agree that Peter most definitely belongs in the MLS. Your team would be crushed to see you go and would most definitely return to being an afterthought, but the MLS is waiting…”
So now the question is: What is the better position to be in? Dominating a 3rd League in Europe where you are most likely to be promoted or start from scratch in America with a nice resume at the age of 22? If you had a kid that was in Peter’s situation- what would you suggest he do?
If there is anyone that knows how to gp from the lower league to the top it is Peter’s coach Milan Petrovic who had a great but short career with Hajduk thanks to an unfortunate incident outside soccer field. So let’s leave Peter’s future to him, his coach and his family. Srdjan Lakic and the likes made it in Europe from Croatia’s lower leagues so why not Peter…
Joze,
Yes, no one outside the US cares about the MLS. Likewise, no one outside of Croatia cares about Prva Liga. Difference is, the US has 300 million people while Croatia has 4.5 million. With that limited population, it would be like the city of Los Angeles starting a pro basketball league and expecting people to care… Outside of Dinamo, Prva Liga is simply a black hole for (usually laundered) money. It is in shambles…
Fact is, I don’t even care about MLS but from a buisiness perspective it is has shown growth that the the Prva Liga could only dream about. Only Dinamo can presently pay the wages required to reach the group stages of the UEFA cup- and only by selling their best players…
Hullo!
I am back for a brief moment, Peter Do NOT come to the MLS! there are tryouts around europe every month or two month time, Championship, 1st and 2nd english division, La Liga, 2nd Spanish league teams, even some 1st division french teams hold try outs, Forget the MLS stay there and wait for a good try out, Im sure you’ll make it.
BTW, Peter scored two more goals this weekend making it four goals in the last two games!!!!
Pav,
Give us some more info about yourself in Vancouver. I don’t know much about the Canadian League, I remember watching a Serbian eagles against a Croatia Toronto or something a few years back. A Vancouver native on the national team would be great! Good luck to you.
Joze,
No one “inside” the US cares about the MLS. Sadly, the ones that do are either Latinos, Europeans, and a slim percentage of “white America”.
Playing in the third league of Croatia will not get you anywhere. Playing in the second division you will be hoping for a first division team to pick you up. Baby Steps Peter.
Talent wise, the MLS has way more talent than the Prva liga. Now, don’t think that I’m saying that “Galaxy can compete with any premiereship team”— former Galaxy president Alexi Lalas, who got canned earlier this year. The Croatian league gets raped of talent every year and there isn’t much left. Only Dinamo has enough $$ to sign foreign players. The rest of the league is playing with players that aren;t going anywhere. As soon as a player is worth a few million Euros he’s gone.
As far as getting “upgrading” from the Prva Liga/MLS level, the Prva liga is the obvious choice for its proximity to the big4–Germany, spain, England, and Italy.
Alex,
No offence but the MLS isnt much of a league. No one outside of the US cares about it. Even if it does improve and become more exciting than the Prva Liga it wont matter because the top few Croatian teams get to test their skill against top European sides in competitive matches every year(unlike in the US where they just play one off friendlies against Chelsea, Sydney FC or QLD Roar).
And building “soccer specific stadia” isnt really that amazing…after all if the MLS is a top league it probably should have had that for decades.
Maybe i have a shot at the National team, i play in the premier league in vancouver. If this guy was so good i think some clubs would have noticed him bye now in croatia
The MLS is a “pro league”; it’s equivilent to a 3rd tier European league like the Croatian PL…while both leagues have a precious few who advance to 1st and 2nd tier leagues, only the MLS is in the ascendency. With it’s ever increasing attendance figures, newly built (“soccer”-specific) stadia and constantly expanding franchise base, the MLS is a (developing) soccer federation’s wet dream… The same cannot be said of the PL/HNS, who, sadly, are simply just trying to stop the bleeding.
Thats just my opinion… Peter, good luck,
Small steps first Joze. Peter has to remain consistent and make up a decision to what he’s going to do over the break. I only only hope and pray that Peter gets a shot at the national team sometime down the road. But small steps in the right direction first.
Good luck Peter, whatever decison you make I hope it is the best for your family, you, and your career. Good luck!
Considering the amount of Croatians in northern America it suprises me that no one has ever made the Croatian team before.
Over here in Australia, Croatians dominate soccer. We have loads of clubs and the basis of the Australian team in the last 10 years has been Croatian(Bosnich, Kalac, Viduka, Skoko, Culina and the rest) and Seric, Didulica and Simunic played for Croatia.
I guess it would be good to have a Croatian team with players who are born all over the world. Hopefully Peter can make it!
whats up!
i love reading your guys opinions on my situation.
as for right now…im going to finish out the games till winter break. i plan on coming back to la for a month to hang out and relax with friends and family. if some tryouts or options for me to play in other places happen i will be sure to keep the people at CSR posted. i have croatian citizenship so that could help with maybe going to some foreign countries.
anyway….all the best to all of you. take care….cujemo se!
Ivica,
Great advice about getting Croatian citizenship. However, I am 99% sure that Peter has dual citizenship. If not, Peter, you’re slippin’ dude.
Also,
“It sure would be nice to see a Croat cracking that roster who represents the North American diaspora. “
Besides Australia, there hasn’t been a player outside of the old continent that has cracked the Croatian National Team. Hopefully, I will get a chance to watch an American or Canadian born suit up for the vatreni. We are long overdue.
It would be interesting to see how much love an American would get on the national team. What if he played in the MLS? Wow, the media would be all over this.
Peter, MLS is the way to go. Most MLS players that get a chance in Europe are somewhere in England. Even if you get a 2nd or third division gig, you will be on the pound my friend. Also, you can catch a cheap RyanAir flight direct to Croatia. Ok, so I have your life planned out for you.
Good luck
i forgot to mention something before:
Peter, if you can, get your Croatian citizenship now before things may get complicated. What I am getting at is this:
The national team represents is partially composed of players representing the Croatian Diaspora throughout all continents of the world. Josip Simunic (Australia), Ivan Rakitic (Switzerland), Kovac brothes (Germany) and Dario Cvitanich of Argentina (if he is ever capped.)
It sure would be nice to see a Croat cracking that roster who represents the North American diaspora.
Again, just a thought, but definitely something to think about. Good luck with your future in the game Peter. I am sure you will make all the right decisions.
Peter if I was you, stay in Croatia. As Ivica said, it is rare that once you are in the MLS you will land up in Europe again. But then again, it’s up to you. Playing in the MLS seems like a safer bet. Trying to make a first division team in Hrvatska is a risk but might come with greater reward. Good luck!
keep it up peter your doing good kid party time soon ..!!
thanks for all your guys support and comments. i really love to hear what u guys all have to say. all the best…see u soon
Personally, I would stay and at least finish the season over there in Dubrovnik, hopefully getting promoted to the 2nd division. From there it is really up in the air. I am sure the 2nd division games get scouted more often than the 3rd division games by bigger clubs in the first division, so you have to take that into consideration with regards to your status for next season, Peter.
Being from New York, I just see the MLS as a semi pro league where young budding stars like Peter don’t have the talent around them to grow and mature with regards to their own game. There is no depth and very rarely do you see guys from the MLS go off to play in Europe and have success.
Peter,
Come to the MLS. We know that you are living the life in Croatia, however, at 22, you have to think about your future. Imagine starting for the galaxy doing a little one-two with Beckham and Donovan.
By the time you get to the first league in Croatia, you will be too old, a waist of talent.
The MLS season is about to end. Do your homework. Tryout for every team in the league if necessary. Jump on at least a reserve or youth team in the MLS.
I remember we were discussing how to control Croatia’s fans I thought you might be ineterested by this article Ante:
http://www.javno.com/en/croatia/clanak.php?id=194354
I remember we were discussing how to control Croatia’s fans I thought you might be ineterested by this article Ante:
http://www.javno.com/en/croatia/clanak.php?id=194354
Mate Dugandzic was loaned to Lokomotiva Zagreb but I’ve heard the performances he had for Melbourne Knights(Vidukas and Simunics former club) were really great.
I dont know much about Vrbesic but on Sportske Novosti they were likening him to Modric so I guess he’s alright.
Do you have any more info on these guys Joze? Are they currently on a Dinamo junior team or are they playing elsewhere? And I have mixed feelings on Peter. No way his current team could handle Druga Liga let alone Prva. I agree with Marko. See what you got in the states and then ship back out to Europe. But stay tuned…
I would stay and get promoted to the next league. It would be a new challenge and you can see whether you could possibly cut it in the prva liga.
Theres another couple of guys from over here in Australia doing alright. Their names are Mate Dugandzic and Stefan Vrbesic. They both got signed by Dinamo Zagreb and I think their about 18 years old.
Head to the MLS for 2 years and if all goes well as it has in the Third League move on to a European League if anyone is interested.