OBETZ, Ohio – In terms of a field player in soccer, Gino Padula is getting up there in years but the 34-year-old Crew defender wants everyone to know he is not ready to retire just yet.
“I want to play, if I can, three more years,” he told MLSsoccer.com. “I love to play soccer. I play soccer [since] I was five. It’s very hard to make a decision not to play anymore. I feel physically and mentally very strong.”
At least that was the case before he experienced some left knee inflammation just before the team was to leave for Carson, Calif., on Thursday and he did not make the trip.
It’s been a rough stretch for the proud Argentine, who was a key player in the Crew’s run to the MLS Cup title in 2008.
A healthy Padula was replaced in the starting lineup last week by rookie Shaun Francis, who had only 33 minutes of previous MLS experience. Francis made no glaring mistakes in a 3-0 win over Houston and is expected to be at left back again Saturday when the Crew face Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center.
Padula missed the May 1 game at Seattle because of a knee sprain and there is ongoing speculation that the injury has not healed. He has played in 12 of 17 matches (10 starts) after being in the starting XI for all but three of 30 games last season.
“The games I didn’t play was because of the manager’s decision,” Padula said. “Of course, when you don’t play you’re not happy. But sometimes it happens. I want to find try to find out here if I can play. If not, we’ll see what happens.”
Despite the latest setback he scoffs at the notion that he is more susceptible to injuries at his age.
“When you are 23 years old and you have one injury, nothing happens,” he said. “When you are 30, they say you are too old.”
Padula’s statement rings true as, ironically, it was a sprained ankle that the 23-year-old Francis suffered in preseason that stymied the young defender’s development and ultimately his ascension up the depth chart.
Francis finally got his first opportunities in two US Open Cup match and earned his MLS debut in relief on July 17 against New York. It’s his speed, Francis’ biggest attribute, that contrasts with – according to critics – Padula’s diminishing quickness as he gets older.
“I never was fast; I never was slow,” Padula retorts.
However, the Argentine defender’s experience should still be of great value as the Crew work toward the playoffs and the CONCACAF Champions League tournament that starts next month, a busy stretch during which Padula is sure to see some playing time.
“Every player on this team is going to play sooner or later,” Warzycha said.
In the meantime, Padula and the other veteran defenders are making sure Francis gets the best tutoring available.
“They do a good job of keeping me focused,” Francis said. “They are experienced and I’m just coming in. They will come to me and let me know if I’m doing something wrong or something right.
“One of the best [pieces of] advice they have given me is you need to be in position to have more than one option to pass,” he added.
Padula said helping his protégé is a natural progression.
“When you are young, you always try to look to older players,” he said. “When I was young, the [older] players tried to teach me something from the position – when you go forward and when you don’t. We have many players here who can help the younger ones. It’s a good mix.”
So, while on most gamedays, Padula will from the sideline as the action unfolds before him, he might take some satisfaction in knowing that Francis is using his advice to keep the left flank secure. But surely, the proud Argentine will be ready in case Warzycha gives him, and not his protégé, the nod.
