Gonzalo Segares has been making the most of his retirement.
When the longtime Chicago Fire defender announced the end of his playing days earlier this year (Feb. 4), that didn’t mean he was stepping away from the game or the club where he made his name. Since hanging up his boots, he’s transitioned to the dual roles of club ambassador and an assistant coach for the Fire’s U18, U16 and U14 Academy teams, working to impart his wisdom and provide unique guidance for aspiring professionals like he once was.
“It would’ve been harder if I had stepped away completely from the playing field, but staying involved in the game, I think that’s made the transition a little easier for me,” said the 32-year-old Segares, who made 264 appearances across all competitions for the Fire over 10 seasons. “The teams have been great.
“I love the way that [Academy Director Larry Sunderland] has set up everything, the way the teams play very professionally, all the kids. It has been a lot of fun for me. I don’t know if it was time for me to retire or what, but I feel that the transition has gone pretty smooth.”
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Fewer than three months into his coaching career, Segares has already set up a big event for three Academy teams. From June 9-16, the U18, U16 and '02 age groups will all be venturing to Segares' hometown of San José, Costa Rica, competing in the 2015 Costa Rica Internacional Cup.
From his playing days with Saprissa, one of the foremost clubs in Costa Rica, Segares knew the tournament was played annually around this time. He contacted his former coach, who moved the tournament to the week his teams had off.
“It worked out perfectly for us to be able to take part in it,” Segares said.
The tournament also will include the Costa Rica U13 national team and another local minor league team in Alajuela. It will serve as a great opportunity to prepare for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoffs in late June and July. Games will be held at Estadio Ernesto Rohrmoser, and the players also will have the opportunity to use the Costa Rican Football Federation’s Proyecto Goal facilities, where the national team trains.
The U18, U16 and '02 teams were chosen to participate because they had not experienced an international trip in 2015. The U14 team traveled to the Cayman Islands in May and played five games in six days, winning the Cayman Youth Cup Championship. After experiencing the whirlwind nature of the Cayman Islands event, Segares arranged for the Costa Rican tournament to be round-robin style with a day to recover between games. The team with the most points at the end of the week will be the winner.
WATCH: Segares' Path from Saprissa to Chicago Fire (2013)
In addition to his duties with the Fire, Segares recently signed on as a volunteer assistant coach with the DePaul University men's soccer program.
"Gonzalo has done it all as a player including 10 seasons with the Fire and playing on the Costa Rica national team," DePaul head coach Craig Blazer told DePaulBlueDemons.com. "His experience and knowledge will be a big benefit to our players."
Segares, who will have his family alongside him when he is honored at halftime of the Chicago Fire's July 25 match vs. New England, is eager to go home, as he was only able to visit for two weeks in December. He’s also excited to give his players the chance to visit a nation much different than the United States.
“Being from Costa Rica, to be able to bring these teams over there, for the kids to experience a different culture, I think that it’s going to be very big for them,” he said. “The opportunity to go to a different country, to experience a different style of soccer, it’s great. Right now, Costa Rica is probably one of the top teams in CONCACAF, so the game has grown a lot.”
Much like the aforementioned U14 squad, these three squads will go in looking for a championship. They’ll be competing against each other and against some of the top young talent in Costa Rica. It’s an event Segares was proud to have helped organize, and one he’s confident will have a big impact on his players.
“They’ll definitely grow and mature,” Segares said. “That experience of playing for a trophy means a lot. I think it will help the players compete as well, and at the same time experience a country where soccer is a main sport. It’s going to be very positive. That’s something that the kids don’t really get to see.”
Photo credit: Abel Arciniega/Primetime Sports
