Jalil Anibaba was recently selected in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire (1st round, 9th pick). It’s been a great year for Jalil so far, who also recently awarded the 2011 Tom Fitzgerald MVP Award. Originally from Davis, CA, Jalil first played college soccer at Santa Clara University and then transferred to University of North Carolina Chapel Hill where he helped captain his team to a Semi Final appearance in the 2010 NCAA College Cup. I had the pleasure of chatting with Jalil the weekend after the draft.
Questions
TPOV: First off, congratulations on being selected by the Chicago Fire.
Jalil Anibaba: Thanks
TPOV: You were playing at the collegiate level only a few months ago and now all of a sudden you’re a professional soccer player! How’s this experience been for you so far? Did it take a while to sink in your head or were you pretty prepared for this next step in your career?
Jalil Anibaba: I mean…I was well prepared but it’s still a little surreal you know? When I was at the draft, at the combine it kind of sunk in. When I’m at home with my family it still feels a little fake.
TPOV: I noticed you used to play as an attacking midfielder, and now obviously you’re a defender. When did you make that switch and how did it happen?
Jalil Anibaba: It happened early in my college career, I got recruited by SCU as an attacking mid. They moved me to the back after our 2nd or 3rd match, been playing in the back ever since and I’ve made it my home. I’m way more comfortable in the back.
TPOV: Do you miss not having more of a playmaker role, helping both setup and score goals?
Jalil Anibaba: I feel like I think like a defender now I would call myself an attacker converted into a defender. I used to think like an attacker at first. But now I think I actually think and process the game as a defender.
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| Jalil at Santa Clara |
TPOV: There’s always a lot of mixed opinions on the MLS Combine. In just a few days, you’re expected to develop team chemistry and perform well with a bunch of players whom you hardly know. In my opinion (and almost every soccer blog I came across), you were one of the better performers coming out of it and saw your stock rise. How responsible do you think your performance there was for your high draft pick?
Jalil Anibaba: I think it definitely helped in my case the combine definitely helped me. In the end it’s tough to say because you never really know what coaches are looking for. You never know exactly what factors in to going to Chicago at #9. In the end it doesn’t really matter because what was meant to happen happened and I’m happy about it.
TPOV: What players were you most impressed by at the MLS Combine?
Jalil Anibaba: I thought literally everyone on my team was exceptional and it has a lot to do with…it has everything to do with my success at the combine. Our team was solid and very unselfish and as far as individuals go…all the CAL guys on our team, Hector Jimenez and Davis Paul, were very exceptional. But again it was a team effort and everyone on our team showed well at the combine.
TPOV: What clubs were you in contact with during the MLS Combine?
Jalil Anibaba: I was in contact with a few clubs. It was just more of them trying to get to know me, trying to see what I’m like off the field. In the end Chicago was the team that was interested enough to believe in me to take a pick on me.
TPOV: Was it pretty clear that Chicago was a definite possibility for you or was it still pretty up in the air?
Jalil Anibaba: They didn’t’ talk to me before hand, I hadn’t met the coaching staff until literally right after I was drafted. I think that shows how much they believe in me as a player.
TPOV: The SuperDraft always has a lot of surprises and this year’s was no exception. When Omar Salgado was selected 1st I’m sure that changed the game plan for several teams. Did you have any guesses on where you were going to end up? Did this change after Omar Salgado got picked 1st?
Jalil Anibaba: I feel like the only way to go about it or go into it as far as a mindset is to be as open-minded as a possible and to understand that, “look, this is a draft and the only thing that you can really do to control your own destiny is to play well at the combine and to play well on your college team.” We had already done that so as far as a draft goes you literally just have to be open to whatever happens.
TPOV: How did you feel when you heard your name called (especially so early on in the draft)? What emotions and thoughts were going through your mind?
Jalil Anibaba [chuckles]: If I could explain it to you in a way that would give justice to how it felt I would, but I can’t. It’s one of those things that’s literally indescribable how you feel when your name’s called. I mean it was just…I don’t know. It felt like I was literally dreaming while I was walking up to the podium.
TPOV: What is unique about you that you can bring to the Chicago Fire this season? What parts of your game are you looking to develop and improve most?
Jalil Anibaba: Just a willingness to learn and a willingness to become better. Everyday whether that’s taking a student role from the veterans and just learning with an open mind I think I’ll be able to contribute in the best way possible.
TPOV: You had a big role at SCU and UNC since you were captain of your team. I’m sure you developed some good leadership qualities in the process. Now that you’re playing on the professional level as a rookie, how will your role change? Are you planning on using some of those leadership qualities you developed as a captain or are you planning to play the more conventional role of a learner?
Jalil Anibaba: Yeah that’s kind of part of my game (to try and lead the people around me) but I honestly feel like that’s not my job going there. When you go into a new environment or new situation you have to learn how things are done. Learn how the coaches want things, learn how the veterans do things and them from there impose your personality on the club.
TPOV: You’ve played on the national level a few times with both the U-18 and U-20 youth teams. What was that like, and how do you think it helped you develop as a player and better prepare you for your professional career?
Jalil Anibaba: It was…it was just an amazing experience…there’s no greater honor for an athlete and definitely not for any soccer player than to wear your country’s colors and your country’s crest. First off it’s an incredible honor and as far as learning goes you just learn so much in such a short period of time and I think that’s what I took away from my experience with the youth national teams….just learning how to be a good professional and how to deal with circumstances you wouldn’t deal with if you weren’t traveling across the world to play at the highest level. I feel like it’s definitely prepared me in a sense that it’s kept me grounded and it’s kept me hungry and eager to learn throughout my career.
TPOV: 2010 marked the last years for several key players on the Chicago Fire team including Brian McBride. Moreover, Wilman Conde left to play in Mexico and C.J. Brown retired. Even with the recent arrivals of Corry Gibbs and Josip Mikulic, the Chicago Fire still lacks depth in defense. Do you expect to challenge for a starting position right away?
Jalil Anibaba: In the end it’s up to the coaching staff, it’s up to Coach Carlos to see how it goes in terms of preseason and all that stuff. I have to prepare myself to go into camp and be ready to learn, try to get better every single day every minute of training and then the chips will fall into place.
TPOV: A lot of players decide to opt out of MLS and try their luck in Europe after college (Charlie Davies, Alejandro Bedoya, etc). Were you ever considering heading to Europe after college? When did it become clear to you that you wanted start your professional career at home in MLS?
Jalil Anibaba: It was definitely something I heavily considered. In the end it was a matter of taking my time with it all and really figuring out what would be best for me. I had a lot of talks with my family and my Dad and making sure that we didn’t just jump into any situation. It became clear to me that was the best option when MLS offered me a contract.
TPOV: What’s your opinion on MLS and US Soccer? Do you think the league is getting stronger and where do you see it heading in the next few years?
Jalil Anibaba: It’s definitely improving tenfold. It’s definitely making strides to be compared to the more prestigious leagues in the world. I think people need to really start keeping an eye out for US Soccer and start to give it the respect it deserves.
I think the World Cup has proved that we really know how to play this game. US Soccer is really making a statement as far as development goes, both in terms of the league and the federation. I really honestly think people need to reevaluate the impact we’ve had on soccer.
TPOV: The list of notable alumni from Chicago Fire is pretty impressive: Carlos Bocanegra, DaMarcus Beasley, Bakary Soumare, and Chris Rolfe all started their careers at Chicago before making the jump to Europe. Do you have aspirations to play in Europe? What’s your game plan for the next few years?
Jalil Anibaba: Go in to Chicago and learn and become a better person, a better professional, and a better soccer player. Those are my short term goals. As far as European aspirations go, I just want to play the best soccer I can. When that will happen in my career I don’t know but I think right now I’ll be playing good soccer so I’m happy to be with Chicago.
Lighter questions
TPOV: Favorite soccer team? Apart from the Chicago Fire obviously.
Jalil Anibaba: Barcelona is definitely my favorite team. They’re just amazing and I honestly don’t think anyone that is unbiased can say anything bad about them, the organization, or the club and how they play the game.
TPOV: Favorite player? Not necessarily one you try to emulate, but just one you really enjoy watching.
Jalil Anibaba: Messi is my favorite player to watch by far. He’s unbelievable…if you ever hear interviews and his mannerisms on the field, he comes across as one of the most humble guy…and he’s the best player on the world! That’s something I really admire
TPOV: Who’s a player in college you think we should keep an eye out for?
Jalil Anibaba: There’s a forward at SCU his name is Eric Hurtado. I think he has the potential to do very, very special things as far as soccer is concerned. I think people need to understand how good he is and keep an eye out for him
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| Logan Pause |
Jalil Anibaba: Definitely coach Carlos. He came across as a student of the game and a great teacher at the same time. I’m really excited to get to know him better and work with him.
As far as players go I can’t wait to work with Logan Pause
TPOV: Are you excited about moving to Chicago?
Jalil Anibaba: Yeah definitely, it’s historically known as one of the most amazing cities in the country. To actually move there is really exciting to be honest!
TPOV: Jalil, on behalf of everyone at The Pursuit of Victory thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me.
Jalil Anibaba: Thanks for having me.
Jalil is heading to Chicago for pre-season training towards the end of the month. You can follow him on twitter (@NigerianFuture).
