John Tolkin of Chatham is one of two players from New Jersey selected for the United States men's Olympic soccer team.
The starting left back for Major League Soccer's Red Bulls, Tolkin made seven under-23 appearances in the lead up to the Olympics, as well as one with the full national team. Known for his bleached-blonde hair, Tolkin has seven goals and 13 assists in 109 MLS matches over five seasons.
The 21-year-old grew up playing in Chatham Borough, but transitioned to Ironbound at age 9 or 10. He transitioned to the Red Bulls Academy in 2015, signing a homegrown contract five years later.
For the men, the Olympics are an under-23 tournament, with only three players born before Jan. 1, 2001 permitted. Team USA will begin play against host France – coached by former Red Bulls and international midfielder Thierry Henry – on Wednesday, two days before the Opening Ceremony. The Americans will also play New Zealand on July 27 and conclude group play versus Guinea on July 30.
Tolkin did a media Q&A from the team's training camp in Bordeaux leading up to the Olympics.
How did you find out you'd made the team?
"(Head coach Marko Mitrović) texted me, giving me a call after training. Sometimes that's a scary message, because I knew the roster was coming out. I called him and he didn't answer. He FaceTimed me, and I've seen before FaceTime roster reveal videos. I was like, 'Oh, this should be a good call.' He got on the phone and was like, 'I have some good news." It was super exciting to hear what he had to say. 'You made the squad,' and here we are now."
How did you react?
"It hits my parents more than me, because I'm living through it every day. Everything comes at you so fast, and it's hard to slow down. After I got off the phone with Marko, I called my mom (Sara) that I made the team. She just started crying, because of all the hard work she's put in from where we started to where we are now. Then I realized how deep it really goes. It was a humbling moment, to be honest."
How did you get into soccer?
"It started where I grew up in Chatham. That was more playing for fun with my friends. Everyone I played with was in my neighborhood. Obviously, we already had a great connection. It was a fun town team where you play other towns. Initially, I said no to Ironbound because I didn't want to leave my comfort zone and my friends. My dad (Chris) was like, 'Yeah, you have to go for your career. It's just the next step.' Once I got there, I was playing with guys from all over the state. Where we were in Ironbound there's a really strong soccer culture, a lot of South American influence. I think it was a different playing style, way more intense from Chatham. As you grow up, you start to realize those experiences really helped you out, forced me out of my comfort zone, learned new cultures and met different people and played with different players who had different ideas.
"I must've been 9 or 10, and I was still playing other sports at the time. I had to cut those off, which was tough. We had a backyard basketball tournament league in my town. One day, my dad was like, 'We have to leave for training.' I was like, 'No, I have to finish this basketball game here.' Eventually, I had to get rid of all that stuff. That's when I thought it was like, 'All right, it's getting more serious. Maybe there's possibilities past this town team.' "
Ready for the Olympics?Our guide to NJ athletes headed to the 2024 Summer Games
Did you ever think you'd be on the Olympic team?
"It's kinda trippy. Five years ago, I started playing professional (soccer). If I thought this would happen down the line, I'd probably laugh at myself a little bit. It's surreal being here, getting ready to prepare for the first game. It's really cool and an honor."
How do you feel heading into the opening match?
"Once we realized it would be France in the first game, I think everybody, myself included, you start to think what that's going look like: walking out onto the field, seeing the atmosphere, all the French flags, then seeing the tiny American section. Hopefully it's not tiny, but just what that would look like, seeing our families in the stands, and playing alongside each other in a huge game.
"I always say if I'm not nervous, I don't really care enough. When the nerves are there, that's good. Usually, they're always there. I think everybody will be feeling the nerves for these games coming up."
What's up next for you? Is the Olympics a stepping stone to the 2026 World Cup?
"Yeah, 100%. That was one of the conversations we had within the group. (Former Seton Hall midfielder) Sacha Kljestan, last camp before this, he came and talked to us because he played in the (2008 Beijing) Olympics. A lot of guys on his team used it as an opportunity to go to the senior team in the future, and make moves to new clubs. He established the importance of it, and how big of an opportunity it is. I think everybody took that to heart, and everybody knows that here."
How has your mindset changed throughout your career?
"At first, as a young guy, you kinda try and take in all the information you can. Maybe it's more self-performance related, making a name for yourself and establishing that starting role on your team. As I went through the years, it went from myself and my performances to trying to help my teammates out as well, and trying to be a vocal leader. Last year, especially, I tried to grow in that area. This year, I'm trying to tie it all together with performance and leadership."
Most Popular
Comments / 0