With the 2008 season in sight, Damiani said he is impressed with the athletic ability, technical soundness and camaraderie being demonstrated in the Knights’ preseason engagements. “We are getting the guys to show their talent and our prospects look good as a team, going in,” remarked the 27-year old, who is regarded in the clubhouse as the epitome of adeptness and goodwill, on and off the field.
The endearing player had just finished a pre-season game against Adelphi University at Long Island’s Tully Park, and noted that coach Joe Balsamo is “rounding the squad into shape and giving us the exposure to get our best team fully ready for our season.” The Brooklyn Knights kick-off their 16-game regular season at home to the Westchester Flames on Friday, May 9th.
“Everybody expects us to be one of the best teams in the league, so we hope to do well and win it all this year,” said the former collegiate All Conference midfielder at St. John’s. He remembered experiencing fervent fan-following during his college sojourn, and remarked that the Knights would glow with similar support. “At this level once you have fans out there, they cheer you up and you get that mental strength to do well, especially if it’s a difficult time.”
“Last year, they didn’t expect us to go so far, but we came together as a group towards the end of the season and our soccer became stronger.” Damiani said highlighting the diversity among the Knights’ squad. “We’re from different cultures with different soccer mentalities, but we came together to show what we are capable of and we believed in ourselves, and that helped us.”
Like any PDL player, Damiani’s aspiration is to don an international team shirt. “I always dream of the best. I am a player with a lot of soccer passion and respect and I would like that to take me to the next level,” he noted, adding that he shares with the other players so that the Knights’ thrust to be the strongest team in the PDL can be achieved.
A leader by nature and accomplishments, Damiani is awfully ambitious and tolerant. This has helped him as a player, as well as the very diverse Knights. “I’ve been purposeful, but patient with my training, and me and the guys are focusing on being healthy and sharp for the whole season.” In 2007, he logged an amazing 1,066 minutes in 13 games – the 3rd highest for the club.
The Italian-born ballweaver who played midfield for local sides Lucera and Perugia, said he was bounded by soccer from an early age. “When I was a kid, I was surrounded by relatives and family friends who were in the game. My family played semi-professionally, and my dad (Marcello) was a good goalie (goalkeeper).”
That early injection of soccer to his psyche has fuelled his drive to success, thus far. And, we’ll bear witness to its continuation everytime Damiani creates a play for the Knights, this year.
