When Magnus Eriksson signed as a Designated Player in San Jose ahead of the 2018 MLS season, he knew he would have two major hurdles to overcome: fitting into a new culture and getting ready for the regular season much quicker.
“It took some time to adjust,” explained Eriksson from the team’s hotel in Orlando. “I’m not used to a short preseason. It’s always challenging to move to a new country, but I think I’ve adjusted OK. I feel really comfortable now. I feel like I’m in good shape and I’ve enjoyed the time to get to know my teammates.”
Eriksson’s talent is evident. Through the first six games of his MLS career, the Swede has tallied two goals and three assists, including one of either in each of the last five matches. He was also heavily involved in the team’s game-winning goal in Week 1 without appearing on the scoresheet and narrowly missed out on another assist last weekend in Orlando when his corner kick was headed off the crossbar by Chris Wondolowski and put away by Florian Jungwirth seconds later. He is currently the club’s co-leader in goals and leader in assists, possessing the team’s most dangerous left foot in attack in recent memory.
“I’ve always seen myself more as an assist player than a goal-scorer. But either way, it’s always good to help the team try to win games.”
Many players who come to Major League Soccer from another country are subject to a steep learning curve, both due to the league’s unusually strenuous travel demands and on-field style of play. Eriksson, much like teammate and fellow Designated Player Vako, hit the ground running from day one, despite obvious differences from their previous leagues.
“I think the biggest difference that I had in my mind was that MLS was a bit more back-and-forth than the leagues I was used to in Europe, which were more ball-possession based. After six games in the league, I can say that is the reality. I also knew that the top players in MLS would be much better than the best players in Sweden.”
Despite the team’s slow start, Eriksson feels confident in the club rebounding. After all, San Jose has held a lead in four of their six games to date.
“This is a good group of guys and really good players, so it’s about time we start taking three points now.”
Catch the Quakes take on Eastern Conference side Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, April 28 at 4:30 p.m. PT. The match will be broadcast live on NBC Sports California Plus, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF. In addition to last weekend’s contest in Orlando, the Earthquakes play five of their next seven matches away from Avaya Stadium.
