Cozier: ‘We have a good mix’

Mac Cozier, who played 13 games for the Columbus Crew in 1996, has returned to his hometown to play for the A-League’s Jacksonville Cyclones after a season in Chile’s Second Division. Cozier’s 12 goals have put the Cyclones in playoff contention.

SOCCER AMERICA: How did you end up in Chile? MAC COZIER: It was a stroke of luck. One of the coaches here in Jacksonville [Jorge Alvial] is from Chile. When I came home for the holidays he said, “If you’d like to go down to Chile, I can take you down there for a tryout.” He was willing to take a chance on me and it all worked out. I tried out with a few teams and finally made Second Division Club Deporte Antofagasta. It was a thrill to play [in a foreign country]. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. … I got to learn the language and to see a different style of play. I had a chance to stay another year, but I decided to come home and play for the Cyclones. I got offered a good deal where I could play in front of family and friends for the first time, and I jumped at the chance. SA: The Cyclones are a cosmopolitan team, with players from Chile, Iceland, Argentina and Zambia, among others … MC: Yeah, we have a good mix. Unfortunately, everybody can’t play at the same time because of the foreign-player limit. During practice you see the different styles of play … [The combination] is a real fun style to watch and fun to play, too. We’re especially good at the offensive end of the field. It’s great playing with all these guys because they all know how to play, they’ve all played soccer at a high level. They understand what to do with the ball, where it needs to go. SA: You’re also involved in coaching youth soccer … MC: I have an under-12 boys team. At that age they’re like sponges. They want to learn. It’s so fun to teach them. In the games, these guys are doing step-overs … they’re running off the ball, doing overlaps. The high point of my day is when I go train with my boys. Every once in a while they let me get a touch on the ball. For me, it’s a way of giving back to my community. by Soccer America Associate Editor Poul Swain