Up for challenge
Winger van der Water, newcomer to US, eager to get going in MLS
Silvester van der Water came to Orlando City for a challenge.
The winger had never been to the U.S. before signing with the Lions in February. He’d never even played outside of his home country of the Netherlands before, spending six seasons working his way up to the top flight.
But van der Water knew it was time to push himself into a new league.
“I like to have an adventure,” van der Water said. “I was a little bit done with Holland, with the football. And for me, I was looking for a new step.”
Van der Water didn’t take the typical path for a European professional footballer.
While most professionals spend their youth training for club academy teams, the winger spent the first 11 years of his development playing for SDO Bossum, the amateur club close to his hometown of Blaricum.
Although he’d always dreamed of becoming a professional athlete, van der Water was beginning to consider a different path — either applying for university or picking up a full-time job — by the time he was 18.
When second-flight team Almere City offered him a spot in their academy, he said it was “a dream come true.” But that dream came with challenges as he fought for a roster spot against more experienced players.
“It was really new to me and it was really difficult,” van der Water said. “Most of the football players, they started in the professional football when they are 10 years, 11 years old. I was 18. They had more steps in their lives, and for me it was difficult and it made me grow up with my talents and football skills.”
Within a year, van der Water worked his way onto the senior team; after another year, he was a starter. The winger quickly moved up to the Dutch first flight, signing with Heracles almost three years after turning professional.
In three years at Heracles, van der Water became a dangerous threat to opposing defenses, scoring 10 goals in his second season with the team. By the third season, however, he was already restless for something new.
Van der Water said he was drawn to the Lions for a variety of reasons — the coaching staff, the allure of Florida’s warm weather, the team’s success in 2020 and big-name players like Nani and Pato.
For the Lions, van der Water can become an immediate impact player to boost the team’s goal production in 2021.
Although he’s typically a winger, van der Water said he feels comfortable playing at any attacking position. Lions coach Oscar Pareja noted his ability to shift in and out of an interior role, giving the Lions the ability to make in-game adaptations to their attack.
“He brings us some diversity in the game,” “That versatility, that will provide us to be a team that is less predictable.”
For van der Water, the hardest part of the transition has been the distance from his family and his girlfriend.
After spending his entire life less than two hours from his hometown, the winger is now separated from his family by six time zones and a continent. Van der Water said the COVID-19 pandemic only adds to his anxiety as spiking cases forced an extensive lockdown throughout the Netherlands.
The winger takes comfort in daily FaceTime sessions with his family, calling his girlfriend three or four times a day.
“I miss them always,” van der Water said. “They know what I’m doing. They’re standing behind me always. Sometimes when we do nothing on a day, or when I’m early finished with training or just at the hotel, then I feel that I miss my family the most. But they keep me strong on my legs and they tell me to keep going, keep going.”
Van der Water arrived in Orlando only two weeks ahead of the Lions’ season opener against Atlanta on Saturday.
His departure from the Netherlands was delayed as the club navigated the visa and immigration process. Although frustrating for the young winger, Pareja said this came with an added benefit — giving van der Water a full month to rest and recover after playing the first half of the Dutch 2020-21 season.
As he continues to get up to speed with the Lions, Pareja said he was impressed with his mentality.
“What I like the most so far is the way he adjusts to the trainings and understands what we need to do,” Pareja said. “He’s making a terrific effort on merging and glueing with the team. I value that from the athletes. It’s a highlight for me.”
After going a month without a soccer match, van der Water scored within his first 20 minutes of a preseason match against Minnesota United. The goal bolstered his confidence; it also showcased his style of play — quick and decisive, weaving between players with minimal touches.
Pareja said the team might ease the new addition into regular season minutes until he’s fully integrated into the team.
But whether he’s starting or coming off the bench, playing on the wing or in the middle, van der Water has one goal for this season — making an impact on and off the pitch. “The only thing I want is to be important for the team,” van der Water said.