Mohammed Saeid arrived in Colorado from Minnesota at the same time that Marc Burch and Sam Cronin went in the opposite direction. Swedish-born, to an Eritrean father and Yemeni mother, Saeid came through the soccer academy at English club West Bromwich Albion. He spoke with Richard Fleming.
Richard Fleming: Mo, welcome to Colorado. How tough was it for you to make this move, and how much easier that you’ve done it with a former teammate in Josh Gatt?
Mohammed Saeid: It’s been tough, of course - the process of everything - but I’m happy to be here. The guys have made it easy for me.
RF: What do you think you can bring that can help this side?
MS: We’re trying to be more dangerous going forward, and hopefully my passing ability can help get the team going forward and help to create chances.
RF: How tough, also, has it been being at a Minnesota side that - although their last result was a good one - it must have been tough, and then coming here gives you a chance to be part of a side that certainly had a decent 2016?
MS: Of course it was a tough time in Minnesota, but what do you expect? It’s a whole new team and it takes time for an organization to get used to MLS, and it’s not an easy league, and you could see that, but Colorado is a stable team. It’s done well before, and even last year they had a very good season and just unlucky not to win, so hopefully this year we can go all the way and this time we can win.
RF: An incredible story that you have. Your journey to Major League Soccer, from Fulham, to West Brom, to Sweden, and then to Major League Soccer, and still only 26. It’s been quite a journey so far.
MS: Yes. I’ve learned a lot, going through all these places and the ages that I was there, and the experiences that I have got, so hopefully I can put that to this team and to help this team going forward.
RF: What of those different style - England, Sweden and now the US. Have you been able to blend the three?
MS: With time I have, but it’s very different styles. In Sweden you have more of the tactical awareness. In England it’s more physical, and the speed of play, and MLS is kind of similar to England, it’s very fast, and a lot of players have very good technique, so it’s improving and I’m improving with it.
RF: And you’re from an Eritrean background. Is that one parent, or both?
MS: Just one. My dad is from there, and my mom is from Yemen, so a nice complexion (laughs).
RF: And you were born in Sweden, so when did the family make that transition to Europe?
MS: Just a little bit before I was born. They were in Europe traveling and they ended up in Sweden, which is where I was born.
RF: You’re softly spoken. Experience tells me that softly spoken midfielders are very competitive on the field. Would you put yourself in that category?
MS: Yes, of course, I mean I hate to lose. I don’t like losing, even drawing, but I don’t show a lot of emotions. Sometimes they get the better of me but I try to control it within me, and try to show it by the way I play.
RF: And early days, I know, but what’s it been like in the locker room as one of the new guys?
MS: It’s been surprisingly well. The team has taken care of me good, and the players have been very nice, so I’m happy and excited and looking forward to it.
