Szetela: I approach things in a positive way

Danny is ready to lead the NY Cosmos to another title. Photo: Danny Blanik

The New York Cosmos started off their 2014 NASL campaign with a bang: a 4:0 demolition of Eric Wynalda's Silverbacks at home. One of the brightest spots on the winning team was midfielder Danny Szetela, who - prior to the game - claimed to be ready to lead the team to another title run. On Sunday afternoon, when team's captain Marcos Senna had a day off, he stepped up and backed it all up. 

Danny, congratulations on your first win of the season. Not only a win, but a thrashing of Soccer Bowl 2013 finalists Atlanta Silverbacks! Did you think it was going to be that easy? 

D.S.: The score was 4:0, but it was not as easy as it would indicate. The conditions were windy, both teams played hard and both had their chances. The only difference was that we finished ours and they did not. We also took advantage of our set pieces - scoring on two of them. And our defenders scored three goals, which is pretty rare.

Szetela had a very solid game for NY Cosmos.
Foto: Danny Blanik

Who needs strikers, right? However the fourth one was added by your new addition - Mads Stokkelien. What can you tell about his level of play? Is he going to be a right fit up front?

D.S.: Mads proved that he is a great player during our preseason games. He was good and patient with the ball, holding it up. Ale (Noselli) and himself developed a pretty nice chemistry. He had a good game on Sunday and I am glad that he scored a goal in his first game.

Speaking of scoring - you said you wanted to bag a few more goals this season than in 2013, where you found the back of the net only once. Somehow it did not work out last night?

D.S.: Yes, I did mention that I want to get involved with the things up front, but yesterday despite making a few good runs the ball did not find me there. I definitely will keep on trying in the next games.

No goals for you, but it was one of the best games you've played for Cosmos so far. You played with a a lot of grit and "owned" the midfield, which was especially important because Senna was not at his usual best. Are you as confident as one can be right now?

D.S.: I don't know. I just approach things in a positive way. Just like everybody else on the team. The coaching staff and all the players are all growing with each other. It does not matter if you are the first or the last guy on the team we know that we have to help each other and do what's important for the team. Marcos had some pre-game ankle problems, so I am glad that I could make things easier for him.

And it worked out great. How awesome was it to start the season this way, in front of a good crowd with Pele in attendance?

D.S.: It felt great. The fans showed up and we won and scored four goals. Thanks to all the supporters: the Cross Island Crew, Borough Boys and La Banda del Cosmos. They gave us this extra boos of energy and we hope they continue to show at our games.