Minnesota United: Interview with Loons full back Jérôme Thiesson

MLS Multiplex:  What are some things you like about Minnesota, and what are some things you miss about Switzerland?

Jérôme Thiesson: To shorten the list we’ll have to talk about the things I love because I like pretty much everything! I loved the way people welcomed me and my family. Everyone, no matter whether it was someone from the club, at the bank, at the store, in a restaurant – wherever. We felt so well treated and everybody was always so nice (I know now perhaps it was “Minnesota Nice” sometimes ☺️).

I really love how people like to be Minnesotan. They are proud to be from the North. They like to stand up against the cold. They like their Red Wing shoes, Sota clothes, sports teams, and still they are as I already said very welcoming and open-minded. The Twin Cities offer everything: every sport at the highest level, movie theaters, restaurants, lakes, four seasons, the state fair. They’re family and kid friendly, there’s a big airport. I don’t search for it, but I wouldn’t know what to wish for.

Still, there are some things that I miss about Switzerland. But it’s mainly people, my family, and friends. I’m lucky and already found new friends, very good people, but you can’t forget the boys you grew up with, your parents who raised you, sister, uncles, aunts, cousins. I miss them. And espresso like I know it from Switzerland. We have it from the Italians, obviously, but here in America, I still haven’t found one espresso like the kind I’m used to and love.

MLS Multiplex: The Loons recently drafted 4 players in the MLS SuperDraft. Have any of the new Loons stood out to you so far?

Jérôme Thiesson: This is a tough one. You know, preseason, especially the first weeks, the focus is on physical work. You get your bodies to the limit and try to push them further and further. So quality play and nice football are more difficult to come by when legs are heavy and tired. So it’s really difficult to stand out on a technical level at this point – and that goes everybody by the way, not just the “Little Loons”.

But I’m really impressed by how all four of them take the hard sessions. No one has left out one minute of practice. I remember when I came up to the first team after a week of inflammations on my patella and Achilles, I had to take it easy for some days. These guys are ready. Not only are they holding their own, they’re running in front of and faster than many. That’s the perfect mentality and I’m happy that it’s something that stands out, because mentality is the most important thing, especially when you’re young.

Next: Minnesota United: Loons submit $4M bid for Colombian playmaker

We here at MLS Multiplex would thank Jérôme for his time, and we wish him and Minnesota United the best of luck during this upcoming MLS season.