By Quin Welch, LouCity Insider | Photos by Alena Schuckmann
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Through four days of Louisville City FC’s invitational camp this week, Vincenzo Bernardo’s entered with a globalized list of soccer experience.
The 5-foot-6 attacking midfielder grew up in Morristown, N.J., and played with the nearby New York Red Bulls’ youth academy for three years before making a big move. Bernardo moved to his family’s native Italy to play in Napoli’s youth academy when he was just 16 years old.
“It was a tremendous experience to leave my home at the age of 16 and to live in a different country,” Bernardo said. “I was lucky enough to know Italy pretty well; my family is from Napoli. It was a dream come true for me to actually play for the club.
“I’m just honored and blessed to have had that experience.”
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Most 16-year-olds would probably be scared to move abroad without their family, but being without his family didn’t stop Bernardo from chasing his soccer dream.
“In the first three months my dad came with me, but when I signed a contract and I was living with the team, he headed back home to New Jersey,” Bernardo said.
After spending four years with the Serie A club, Bernardo searched for a new home. He went on trial with several Major League Soccer clubs, but ultimately decided he wasn’t quite ready to come home just yet. Bernardo signed with Austrian club FC Hochst, extending his stay abroad. After living in Italy for four years, Bernardo said moving to Austria was probably the toughest adjustment he went through in his travels.
“Living in Austria was completely different compared to Italy,” Bernardo said. “No one spoke English or Italian so it took me some time to adapt to the country, to the language and to the style of play.”
However, Bernardo found a way to adjust and managed to smash in eight goals in 15 appearances with the club.
“Overall, I got used to it and I got comfortable on the field and I enjoyed the experience I had there as well,”he said.
Although Bernardo enjoyed his time abroad, in the end, all roads led back home. So, he packed his bags, and ended up with the United Soccer League’s Harrisburg City Islanders.
“After spending several years in Europe and travelling, you kind of miss home,” Bernardo said. “It was good to be home. I got to play for the Harrisburg City Islanders in USL and I was fortunate enough to play in the USL Final that year. It’s always good being home and it’s a good part of my career.”
This week, Bernardo found himself in Louisville as part of the four-day invitational trials for Louisville City FC. Bernardo said he has really liked what he’s seen of the Club and is hoping for the best.
“I was very impressed with the quality of play from the first day to the last day. I felt like I progressed every day,” Bernardo said. “It was a good experience to visit the state of Kentucky and get to see the coaching staff here. I’m just looking forward to moving on and seeing what’s going to happen.”
Entering the 2016 preseason this month, Louisville City FC has returned 13 players from the 2015 roster while adding new additions like MLS Cup-winning forward Chandler Hoffman, University of Louisville alumnus Paolo DelPiccolo and University of Kentucky alumnus George Davis IV.
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O’Connor and his team will begin training with a two-week camp at the state-of-the-art IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., before returning to Louisville for a four-game preseason schedule.
Louisville City FC will begin regular season play on March 26 at Charlotte Independence. LouCity then returns to Louisville Slugger Field on April 2 to host New York Red Bulls II in the home opener, with a special 3 p.m. kickoff.
Fans can stay up to date with all of Louisville City’s breaking news, roster updates and ticketing information by following the Club on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Season tickets are available for Louisville City’s historic second season via the Club’s official website.