Alex Smith coasts to A-League berth

It hasn’t been an easy road back into professional football for Alex Smith. But after landing a two-year contract with Gold Coast United, he’s determined to make the most of his time in the Hyundai A-League.

Credit: goldcoastunited.com.au ©

“My goal is to have a good, solid first year and become a regular starter in the side,” Smith said.

“I’ve just got to put my head down and hopefully score a few goals this season and push on to next season.”

Born in England and raised in the US, Smith had remarkable football talent and as most young athletes in the States do it wasn't long before he was playing competitive college football.

Playing for Division 1 teams at the Centenary College of Louisiana and Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Smith was tipped for big things. That was until an error in judgement cost him his playing eligibility under NCAA rules.

By trialling for professional sides in England during his summer break, Smith lost his amateur status and was no longer able to play in the college competition.

But his scoring proficiency during college did not go unnoticed. Though still young, he was signed on a one-year deal to FC Dallas in the MLS.

So how did he end up in Australia?

“Basically I just got tired of the business side of football and I was a bit young at the time, so I decided to quit for a year or two and then finished university over there,” he explains.

“Then one day, I just said, ‘You know what, I’m just gonna go.’ So I packed up my bags, emptied my bank account and moved over here,” Smith said.

After six months in Cairns, Smith moved to Sydney where he slowly rediscovered his love for the game.

“I started getting back into it a little bit. I just tried to keep in shape and one thing led to another, Fraser Park one year, then Sydney Olympic the next,” he said.

At Fraser Park, Smith exploded back on the scene taking out the 2010 NSW Super League Player of the Year award before moving up into NSW Premier League side, Sydney Olympic, where he continued to impress.

“I got to know a few people in Sydney and they got me in contact with the Gold Coast. I came up here for a week trial last year, and here we are today,” Smith said.

“There were a few other clubs interested, but this was the one we decided on with the best opportunity for me to play every game and get noticed and get some more recognition.”

Smith is confident of the direction of Gold Coast United under coach Miron Bleiberg.

“Miron’s a great coach. He doesn’t get a lot of credit for that, but he’s a great guy and very funny,” he said.

After finishing fourth last season, Smith gave some insight into the style of football they’ll be aiming for in the 2011/12 season.

“Most of the players here are very technically sound. So we won’t be playing any long balls. We’ll try to play football the right way,

“The team’s not getting too much hype because there’s a lot of younger players but they’re going to have to step up, and I’ve got no doubt that they will,” he said.

Credit: goldcoastunited.com.au ©

He isn’t yet familiar with the players he’ll be up against in the A-League, but Smith has already earmarked fellow Sydney Olympic product, Joel Porter as someone he’ll be working with.

“I’ve been here about a week and I’m already looking forward to combining with him. We have a similar type of game and we seem to be on the same page already,” Smith said.

The priority for the A-League’s only American player is making the change from the NSWPL to the Hyundai A-League, a successful one. And Smith says fitness is the key to that.

“I’ve already spoken to the physio on working me out a program because I know I’ve always had the talent. It’s just about the work ethic and being in the best possible shape you can, so you don’t get tired in the 60th minute and go downhill from there,” he said.

There’s plenty Smith can offer to Gold Coast United this season. Along with his undeniable attacking potency as a striker, Smith also brings with him some life lessons and plenty of advice for younger players in the squad.

“The biggest thing that I’ve learnt over my career is just to keep on going,

“Even if you’re playing bad, you’re out of form, things aren’t going right in your personal life; you just keep on going, you don’t let anything knock you down,” he said.

Despite his rocky history in the US college system, looking back, Smith doesn’t regret his time there.

“It’s a very professional environment, a lot of money involved in it as well, and of course you’re getting a first class education pretty much anywhere you go. It’s definitely something I’d recommend to some young Aussies over here.”

He says the combination of styles played in the US made it an exciting place to play football.

“In the States there’s quite a mix of different styles being played because you’ve got your South American influence, your American football influence and a bit of European influence as well, so you never really know what style of football you’ll play,” Smith said.

But for now Smith is certain he can make his mark in the Hyundai A-League.

“Here it’s very free-flowing, a very open game which I like. You’ve got a fair amount of time on the ball, so it should suit me well,” he said.

“There are a lot of players with ability here and I’m excited about the season.”