It wasn’t often that Barnetta was the one being carried in a Union jersey
The Philadelphia Union’s short lived tenure has not been filled with high profile stars, DP players with huge salaries, or European mercenaries. It has been one of precise, but tedious building. Within the last couple of years the tedium, however, has been lifted. Players like Maurice Edu, CJ Sapong, and Vincent Nogueira gave the Union a new direction, but even with these big names, something was missing. The Union limped across the finish line in 2015, only beating out the lowly Chicago Fire. Somewhere during that season, however, the Union found a talisman.
Enter, from Europe’s upper echelon, Tranquillo Barnetta. His acquisition, late in 2015, came as a bit of a surprise to Union fans. Many likely didn’t not recognize the name at the time, though it will be one that is tough to forget. In just one and a half years Barnetta has become one of the Union’s most talented players. But his short time has come to an end. A mutual agreement between Barentta and the Union has Barnetta returning to his hometown team of St. Gallen for the 2017 season.
For some background, let’s go back to the beginning, at St. Gallen. “I signed for them [St. Gallen] at 11 years old. When I was in the youth team I would sit in the stands and cheer for the first team. Then, at 17, I had the chance to play on that field where I was in the crowd a couple months before. It was amazing to play in front of my friends and family on that field, it was truly a great feeling.” Barnetta’s love for his hometown team is no secret. St. Gallen has and always will hold a special place in his heart.
Barnetta learned a lot more than just playing football in Europe
But after two years at St. Gallen, Barnetta was ready to make the step up. He transferred to Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga. “I was 19 at the time, and it was my first time away from home. It was a really hard time. On top of that there was the pressure to perform. I tried to handle everything as best I could. My friends and family came to visit and things did work out. I played 7 years [2005-2012] at Leverkusen so it became like a second home. It was a great life experience to go out at such a young age to a new country.”
Barnetta then transfered to Schalke 04, where he played for 3 years until 2015, and his inevitable move to the States. “Schalke was a great place. The fans are great there. They really get behind you because soccer is everything for them.” Both Schalke and Leverkusen provided Barnetta with experience at the top level in Europe, in the both the Bundelsiga and Champions League. “Every single minute in a Champions or Europa League game is really special,” he reflected. “You walk out and hear the anthem and get a great feeling. Those two teams have played at a high level for a long time. I think you can see the experience they have at building top teams.”
But despite being two top level teams, Schalke and Leverkusen have two completely different styles of play. “We always had a really technical team in Leverkusen so we played very offensive and tried to create a lot of chances. In Schalke we focused more on hard work and aggressive play. Nobody wants to play in Schalke’s stadium (Veltins-Arena.) What the fans create is special on the field, and it’s always hard to win on the road there.” Leverkusen and Schalke are two Champions League teams, and the level of play needed to play at either team requires tremendous talent. Barnetta brought that level of play with him to the States, and his impact on the team is evident in the teams 2016 transformation.
Champions League experience can be a big asset in MLS. Both Kljestan and Barnetta have played in the CL and it shows on the field.
On July 29, 2015 The Philadelphia Union announced the landmark transfer for Tranquillo Barnetta. Many did not expect the team to sign a European player who is still in the prime of his career. Since most Europeans make the switch in the twilight of their careers, it was an unusual sight to see such a fit player make the move.
“I was looking for a new experience,” Barnetta explained. “I had first talks with Jim [Curtin] and Chris Albright. I was happy with their plans, and I wanted to move on. I wanted to be a part of a growing and changing club. I would always make the choice again.” Though he was in good form, and playing at a top team, Barnetta made the switch before the European season begun. Because he was still in preseason mode, it was difficult for him to adjust to a league that was closing in on the playoffs.
He must have known about the teams poor position that year, just before his move, so it likely didn’t affect his decision. “My expectations truthfully weren’t too big,” he admitted. “I was mostly looking for something new. I was actually surprised about how the practices and games were so similar to Europe. I knew it was a club that is trying to grow, but I didn’t know we could do so much in a year.”
It wasn’t 2015 where Barnetta truly transitioned to the league, however. The end of that 2015 was a difficult transition period for ‘Quillo, who struggled to fit into a floundering Union side.
“It’s really fast and physical here. It was very hard to adjust to that in the beginning. It’s a good league over here and its getting better. I also didn’t expect it to be so hard to go road trips, I wasn’t used to that. It wasn’t easy in the beginning, but everyone accepted me right away and supported me the whole time and I really appreciate what they’ve done for me in one and half years. I didn’t expect to transition in that time.”
Despite his expectations, Barnetta became a stand out player in 2016. He brought his own, unique style to the Union. “I think it’s important that you have your own style,” he added. “You can see these really good players, but you can’t be somebody else. You have to try to improve your own style every day, and get better and better.”
The group now plays with a new sense of purpose, with flair and creativity. There is no doubt that the unique style that Barnetta brought has lifted the Union’s play. He sets up plays and makes everyone around him better for it.
The opposition did whatever then could to stop Barnetta
Barnetta has quickly accepted his role as a leader in the team, and the need for him to step up in the playoffs. Even after just a year and a half, Barnetta has earned the vice-captains role (captain when Brian Carroll is out). It is Barnetta’s chance to use his experience from Europe to help grow the next generation in America. “I see the kids here and I’m really impressed,” he noted. “We had the rookies come in and play like it was nothing, it seemed easy for them. But they also want to learn. If you say something to them they will stop and listen. They try to improve their game, which is really important because as a rookie you are not done, you have to improve your game. We have all these rookies, and yet they start almost every game, it’s really amazing.”
The development of players like Keegan Rosenberry, Josh Yaro, Fabian Herbers and even Ken Tribbet has undoubtedly been impressive. But with leaders like Barnetta, Alejandro Bedoya, and Ilsinho, it’s no wonder the kids have been learning so quickly.
Now, with the regular season at an end, the Union have barely worked their way into the last playoff spot. Over the last 5 games, the Union have lost 4, only pulling a single draw from the game in Toronto, which might be the only bright side to an otherwise weak finish. Barnetta isn’t too worried about the Union’s chances, however.
“It’s nothing special. We just have to get back to the basics. I, specifically, have to get back to the basics in my game,” he said. “I think we play the best when I have runs at goal, and can feed my teammates good balls. It’s important I go back to that, and hopefully we can make a run in the playoffs.”
Who could forget Barnetta’s freekick in stoppage time to beat Orlando in the beginning of the year?
But life will go on for the Union after the playoffs, win or lose. That life, unfortunately, will be one without the talent of Tranquillo Barnetta. “I always dreamed about returning and finishing at St. Gallen. But you never know in football. Sometimes injuries or other things can happen, so I’m really happy that I’m still in shape and can hopefully help the team.”
The club and fans will certainly miss Tranquillo next year. We can only hope that he will miss Philadelphia as much as the city will miss him. “I’m grateful for everything,” he added. “From minute one they [the club and fans]supported me as a player and I’m thankful for that.”
The fans can at least look forward to the playoffs, and with a few good results, maybe we can see Tranquillo Barnetta in a Union jersey just a couple more times.
