Published: Wednesday, Jul. 01, 2009
Soccer: Former Poly star Peterlin agrees to contract with English team
Graduated Mustangs midfielder will play for Everton FC, the team he tried out for in March
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closeAnton Peterlin made the most of an opportunity.
The former midfielder for the Cal Poly men’s soccer team was granted a 10-day tryout with Everton FC in March and left an impression on the team’s coaches. Peterlin headed back stateside and soon entered into contract negations with one of the English Premier League’s top teams.
That left little surprise in his voice when he announced at a news conference earlier in June that he’d be playing for the Toffees this summer. Peterlin said Tuesday the two sides agreed to a one-year contract and will finalize the deal today in Liverpool, England. Financial terms were not disclosed since the contract has not been signed.
“It’s been a while since I’ve heard about (joining Everton),” Peterlin said. “I have a chance to play and prove myself. It’s been a longtime dream of mine. It’s unbelievable in my opinion. I’m excited, and I’m emotionally on a high.”
Peterlin expects to join Everton’s reserve team and will have only a few days to settle in. The Toffees’ preseason begins July 6, and their regular season begins Aug. 15 at home against Arsenal.
The 22-year-old is near the upper end of the age range for the reserve team but is on the young end for the first team. Players in the top level of the EPL range between 18 and 40.
Regardless of where he lands, Peterlin will be playing in front of some of the most passionate soccer fans in the world. The EPL, one of the world’s top soccer leagues, gives its rowdy fans something to cheer about and Everton is no different.
Everton finished fifth in the EPL and was knocked out of the finals of the FA Cup in May by Chelsea.
“Pretty much it’s the number one sport in England and by far it’s the number one sport,” Peterlin said. “It’s everywhere. It’s very central to people’s hearts in England. I don’t know how to explain it.”
To reach this level all Peterlin needed was a chance to showcase himself.
While playing for the Ventura County Fusion, coach Graham Smith recommended Peterlin to Everton manager David Moyes. Moyes granted the 10-day workout, which placed Peterlin on the field against Everton’s first and reserve teams.
“That whole process was unbelievable,” Peterlin said. “It’s different from the states. The speed was much faster and physically everyone was much stronger. The consistency was much higher, too.”
Working out for Everton wasn’t the first time Peterlin displayed himself to professional talent evaluators. He went through spring trials with the Chicago Fire and San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.
Neither team came calling and that’s when Smith contacted Moyes on behalf of Peterlin.
“It came out of nowhere but (Smith) has the connections,” Peterlin said. “I knew he had connections and I wanted to pursue his connections.
“Graham is a friend of mine and I trust him. A lot of Americans don’t get the opportunity to get a shot.”
The tryouts came after Peterlin earned All-Big West Conference first-team honors and was named to the NSCAA All-Far West region team following his senior year in 2008 with the Mustangs.
His senior season concluded after the Mustangs lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to UC Irvine. It was Cal Poly’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 13 seasons.
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