Just five minutes after stepping onto the field against FC Dallas last Sunday, Chivas USA new signing Bojan Stepanovic did what any player hopes to do in his MLS debut: he scored a goal.
The Serbian midfielder had officially signed with the Red-and-White only two days earlier, capping an impressive preseason trial with a spot on the Chivas USA roster.
"I'm really satisfied with my start," said Stepanovic through an interpreter, teammate Ante Jazic. "I'm happy to score my first goal and I hope to keep my momentum going."
Jazic is of Croatian heritage and speaks Serbo-Croat, Stepanovic's primary language.
"I'm helping him out for this week only. Then he's on his own," joked Jazic.
Stepanovic's goal came in the 75th minute of play when a collision between Chivas USA striker Justin Braun and Dallas defender Aaron Pitchkolan left the ball near the top of the penalty area. Stepanovic quickly secured possession and, with opposing defender Steve Purdy in pursuit, slotted the ball perfectly into the lower left corner of the Dallas net.
The 26-year-old Belgrade-born Stepanovic didn't start playing organized soccer until the age of 11, when he joined the youth system of local side FK Radnicki Jugopetrol. The club signed him to a professional contract when he was 18, and he went on to captain the squad at the age of 21.
Stepanovic also spent time with sides FK Srem and FK Vozdovac in the Serbian first division, one division below Serbia's Superliga, before coming to MLS. The aggressive midfielder immediately made an impact with the Red-and-White, appearing in all three of the team's preseason scrimmages against MLS competition.
"He's a talented player," said Chivas USA head coach Preki. "I saw him play about four years ago when I went back home to Serbia and I was scouting, actually for Bob [Bradley] at that moment.
"He impressed me with the way he can move around and the way he sees things, and finally we got the opportunity to sign him."
Stepanovic's ability to create offensive chances from the midfield should add some potency to a Chivas USA attack that has scored four goals in the first two games.
"I'm still getting adjusted, but everyone at the club has been really helpful," said Stepanovic. "MLS is a very athletic league with a lot of running."
Part of Stepanovic's adjustment will include getting used to life in southern California.
"I'm extremely happy to be here in Los Angeles. The weather is great," smiled Stepanovic. "It's definitely different than Serbia."
Weather aside, Stepanovic has big plans for the 2009 campaign.
"I'd like to score five or six goals and set up that many at least," said Stepanovic. "I want to help get Chivas into the playoffs."
Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
