There are often times during a young professional soccer player's career when they ask the question: Is this all worth it?
Eight years ago, when Toronto FC defender Adrian Serioux was a United Soccer Leagues All-Star defender with the struggling Toronto Lynx, the question was front and center in his mind.
The Canadian international center back was a standout but applied his trade in relative obscurity before sparse crowds, at small stadiums and with little fanfare for a losing team that struggled to score goals or get a win.
Fast forward to 2009 and a mature 30-year-old MLS journeyman now knows the sacrifices he made early in his career have finally paid off.
Every time Serioux steps out on the pitch at BMO Field in front of a sellout crowd at Toronto's soccer-specific stadium, he is reminded just how far things have come for the game of soccer in Toronto and also for himself in a relatively short period of time.
"It is a huge thrill to be back home and playing a sport that you grew up playing and finally being appreciated in your hometown," said Serioux during the Reds training session on Thursday. "Before guys like myself and [Dwayne] De Rosario [who also started his career with the Lynx] never really had an outlet.
"Yeah, we had some recognition but it is not even close to what it is now with TFC -- I am playing the sport I love, getting the recognition in the city where I grew up and it is a great feeling."
The rugged Serioux eventually left the Lynx for English Championship side Millwall in 2004, where he spent two seasons and became a fan favorite for his aggressive, take no prisoners style of play.
Returning to North America in 2006, he spent his first season with the Houston Dynamo, where he helped them to an MLS Cup victory against New England.
His homecoming almost came during the Reds inaugural season when he was selected in the 2007 expansion draft, but Serioux never played a game in a Toronto uniform and was traded to FC Dallas in exchange for Ronnie O`Brien.
Many soccer observers recall how TFC general manager Mo Johnston had to grit his teeth when he made the move -- the temptation of bringing in O'Brien was too good to pass up as he built his offense for the young expansion club.
Serioux dusted himself off though and became a mainstay in the FCD backline and as a defensive midfielder for two seasons.
During a match last summer, a late tackle with LA Galaxy icon David Beckham gave him a great deal of the wrong kind of publicity and a suspension, but it is something the hard-nosed Serioux does not apologize for.
Last February his eventual Toronto homecoming and date with destiny were a lock, though, as Serioux rejoined the Reds -- this time for good -- in exchange for Toronto's 2010 first-round SuperDraft pick.
He quickly adjusted to a new system and a new team, proving his worth at breaking up opposition rushes at the top of the penalty area and long searching crosses.
"Coming into a new team there are always obstacles, trying to fit in and mold to the new coach's formation," said Serioux. "But the whole transition has been easy because I am playing alongside such a great group of guys and that is what makes it so much easier to go out there and do what I was brought into do."
Aside from being Toronto`s big stopper at the top of the 18-yard box, Serioux is also considered to have one of the best throw-ins in the league. His deadly pinpoint hurls strike fear into opposing defenders and goalkeepers whenever he backs up a few steps on the touchline, setting laser-guided throw-ins on the 6-yard box and on-rushing forwards.
During a 1-1 tie with FC Dallas on April 11, it was a long toss by Serioux which helped De Rosario out jump two Dallas defenders and score the Reds only goal of the match with a scorching header.
"Adrian has come in -- he is a warrior, he makes the big tackles and headers at the right time and is also our go-to guy on throw-ins," said Toronto interim head coach Chris Cummins. "He also has a calming influence and the experience, especially with the young kids. It is just his general experience: he knows the league, is from Toronto and wears the badge and shirt with pride. He has brought an awful lot to the team."
Serioux has also played through some intense pain this season with a shoulder injury after Toronto's first few games and later a back and neck injury forced him to miss TFC's 1-0 Canadian Championship match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on May 6.
While still in pain, Serioux was back in the lineup three days later when Toronto clawed out a 3-3 tie at RFK Stadium in Washington.
"He has done very well for us -- he has a very strong physical presence in the back, so always head balls or just one-on-ones, he makes forwards second-guess whether they want to take him on," said Toronto defender Marvell Wynne.
He refused to discuss chances of a first playoff berth for the 3-year-old Reds during Thursday's training session, but Serioux said he and the team are taking a realistic approach to the season, the postseason and this weekend's meeting with the point-hungry New England Revolution in Toronto.
"You can't focus on what they are capable of doing too much -- obviously we will look at a couple of their players and try and stop them from doing things -- but we need to go out there and concentrate on our games and work hard in training," Serioux said.
Peter Mallett is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
