Diego Kauan, better known as ‘Dija’, is 20 years old and is a right back for the NY Red Bulls 2. The boy transferred to the US at the beginning of the year to the American club and has been fighting for his space.
After passing through the youth teams at Red Bull Bragantino, Diego headed to the United States, to the club’s partner in New York and has had opportunities to adapt to soccer in the country playing in the MLS Next Pro – MLS development tournament.
In MLS Next Pro, Dija has played seven times and had one assist this season.
Território MLS interviewed the Brazilian player and talked about his life in the US, his beginning back in Brazil and his plans for the future within the Red Bulls.
How is your adaptation to the United States going? Do you feel much difference in comparison to Brazil?
I think I’ve managed to adapt well here in the United States. Right when I arrived, I thought it would be something more difficult but there were other Brazilians at the club who made this process easier. From the first day the group gave me full support in what I needed and explained to me how things work here. The main differences I feel for Brazil are the food, which is a different luxury in fact, and the culture itself but I’m doing my best to adapt as quickly as possible and do a great job.
Tell us a little about your career in football so far.
I started with the project for my city, Itabuna, in the interior of Bahia. Afterwards, I had my first opportunity at SKA Brasil, in the interior of São Paulo, where I played in the Copinha (São Paulo’s Cup, the biggest U20 soccer tournament in Brazil). I did well and I had the chance to transfer to Red Bull Bragantino, on loan. There, I played in the Brazilian and Paulista championships in the U-20 category, in addition to the Campeonato Paulista A3, professional and, later, I was acquired by the club and loaned to the New York Red Bulls.
Regarding soccer, have you been feeling good playing in the United States? Can you already recommend to your other player friends about moving to the United States?
I’ve been feeling good on the field, at first it was a little difficult because soccer here is more aggressive compared to Brazil, but I stopped to analyze the matches, listen to the coaches and I think I’m doing a good job. I do recommend this move to my friends, the United States is a country that has evolved a lot in soccer, from the base categories and that offers a whole structure so that we can reach our best level. Moving to another country can be difficult for some at first but with time you will adapt and feel more comfortable.
You left Bragantino to transfer to NY Red Bulls, when the proposal and the idea of coming to MLS arrived, what went through your mind?
I was very happy when I received the proposal to come to the NY Red Bulls, because it has always been a dream for me to play abroad. I was also a little apprehensive because I didn’t know what it would be like to adapt to a different country with a language completely different from ours, but in my mind it was just that I had to seize this opportunity and, thank God, everything is right. I am very happy and content to be here.
How have you been facing this challenge at MLS Pro and the path to join the NY Red Bulls first team?
I think my life has always been a challenge and I’m looking to face this one as I’ve always faced others, with hard work, discipline and a lot of focus to be prepared for when the opportunity to join the main team comes. I feel that I have been improving my soccer more and more here and I am very excited and motivated to be able to help NY Red Bulls in the MLS.
(Cover: Inter Miami)
