Call-Up To USMNT Is 'Dream Come True' For Fafa Picault
Photo credit: FC St. Pauli
It took a position change for Patrice Fafà Picault to reap goalscoring rewards in his first season with FC St. Pauli in Germany.
Shifting from the wing to a more advanced position up top, Picault went on to score in back-to-back games in April, finishing with four goals in the 2. Bundesliga.
“When I got a chance up front, it became a lot easier for me,” Picault told NASL.com. “I felt at ease to do what I wanted offensively, more free.”
Picault, who played for both the Tampa Bay Rowdies (2012) and Fort Lauderdale Strikers (2014) during his time in the NASL, has received praise for his recent performances. U.S. men’s national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann has also taken notice.
nice to see Fabrice Picault score again. Congrats! @fcstpauli @Fafagoal23 https://t.co/YGbaCdDNFa
— Jürgen Klinsmann (@J_Klinsmann) April 22, 2016
The U.S. men’s national team coach mentioned Picault in a recent Q&A on ussoccer.com.
“It’s great, something to continue to look forward to,” Picault said. “I’ve been waiting for it for a while. The fact that the eyes are on me makes it even better. I’m a very hard worker, so it’s nice to see the fruits of my labor coming to growth.
“Whenever someone like Jurgen Klinsmann is watching you and giving you compliments it definitely is a boost to your confidence and something you want to make him talk more about. That’s definitely my objective and my goal is to be on the national team.”
Now, the forward could make his debut for the U.S. senior side after representing the U-20s. Picault, 25, will be included in the team that travels to Puerto Rico ahead of the Copa América Centenario. Picault, though, was not included in the preliminary 40-man roster for the tournament.
“It would be an honor,” said Picault, the son of Haitian immigrants who grew up in New York. “It’s every kid’s dream to represent their country and that’s the biggest honor to play for your country, your national team. God willing one day I’ll play in a World Cup – that would mean the world to me.
“I did play for the U-20s and then there have been years I haven’t been involved with the federation, but knowing I’m back on the radar and have the opportunity would be a dream come true.”
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Picault has been called up to the Haitian national team in the past, but missed out on a friendly against Chile in 2014. He was coming off an injury and was not fit enough to participate.
Since then, there has been contact with the Haitian FA, but Picault has instead decided to focus on his club career. His second stint in Europe, after playing in the Cagliari youth setup in Italy, resulted in a tough time with Czech side Sparta Prague, before a more fruitful spell this season in Germany.
“I received a few call-ups after that, maybe five or six, but I decided to focus more on my club situation and club advancement more than anything,” he said. “It’s gone well and it’s allowed me to focus on my first career path, which is definitely the club because you’re there every day and you have to perform.”
Despite having dual nationality, Picault has his eyes on turning out for the U.S., having been born in New York, later living in Miami.
“It’s always complicated with dual-citizenship players, but I feel as American as anything and a great love for my roots,” he said. “I feel more American, I was born and raised between New York and Miami. My dad grew up in New York, my mom grew up in New York.
“I’m definitely leaning towards the U.S. and I already participated with the youth teams, I grew up playing soccer there. I think it would be much sweeter for my family to play with the U.S.
“I have all respect to Haiti because I think what they are doing at the moment is great and I hope it continues to progress and the federation and program continue to do well.”
The NASL alum now grows ever closer to again wearing the red, white, and blue of the U.S. national team.
