FCWisconsin.com's Where Are They Now feature provides FC Wisconsin club members with an opportunity to catch up with former players. In this installment, we catch up with the 2018 NPL Western National Championship winning captain Quinn Rechner who is currently in his freshman year as a member of the Eastern Illinois University men’s soccer program.

 

Rechner was with FC Wisconsin for three years of his youth soccer career, which culminated in him winning the NPL Western National Championship in his penultimate year. His college career has started with more success, as he is the only freshman to have started all 10 games for Eastern Illinois this season. Below, Quinn talks about his time with FC Wisconsin and how it helped him adapt to the rigors of the college game.

 

INTERVIEW

Q. How long were you a player with FC Wisconsin and what made you join the club?

I started playing at FC Wisconsin when I was 15 years old. I played for the club for three years. What made me join the club was hearing about the culture. I knew that there were so many good players at the club and hearing about how FC puts the most players into the collegiate level each year made me even more interested. They helped me get to where I am today which is playing college soccer. I also knew that they put development and family first which is one of the greatest qualities of the club.

 

Q. What were the benefits of playing for FC Wisconsin?

There are many benefits of playing for FC. Many of which you experience at every training session. The coaches really care about your development and success. When I got to the club I was nowhere near the level the coaches thought I could be at. They helped me get to where I am today. Another great benefit is every training session you have multiple coaches at the session. It gives players many viewpoints and lessons each day.

 

Q. What were the best aspects of your FC experience?

The best aspect of FC is the training. Each and every session had a plan that translated into the games that we had that weekend. Every player once they got to training was turned on and ready to go because FC made each practice so professional. Every time play was stopped by one of the coaches you knew that it would help you out greatly. And when play wasn’t stopped, it was intense and developed players at a high level.

 

Q. What did you learn the most from playing with FC?

Many things were learned when playing at FC. I learned two really important things. First, is hard work. At every training session and game every single player worked their hardest. It is just expected at such a high-level club like FC Wisconsin. It pushes everyone and yet again is an aspect that helps out with development. Secondly, I learned that each home or away game, or even a showcase, was a business trip. Yes, we were there to enjoy ourselves, but most importantly we were there to win and get the job done.

 

Q. What are the biggest differences from playing club and playing in college?

There are not many differences from club to college other than it is harder to get into the starting 11 and a roster spot. That means every training session needs to be like a game. FC prepared me for this because of the type of practices we had at the club. All the players at FC Wisconsn are capable of playing at the next level, so it makes it an easier transition.

 

Q. What is your lasting memory from playing with FC Wisconsin?

Many memories were made playing at FC, but I would say the one that will stick with me until probably the day I die, will be winning the NPL Western National Championship in San Diego. It was my second year at the club, but all the team chemistry and hard work made it feel like it was my tenth year. All the work and belief that we would win a championship just came together at that moment. The coaches pushed and believed in our team since the first day, and just that feeling of winning a championship with that type of club and culture behind you was tremendous.

 

Q. How did playing and training at FC Wisconsin help prepare you to have such a successful first year at the collegiate level?

I was nervous before my first training session at the collegiate level. Afterward, I was trying to dissect how I did, I realized that FC prepared me for this level with every training session that I had at the club.

 

Q. What advice would you pass on to our younger players who have ambitions of playing in college in the future?

The advice that I would give to younger players is work hard every single time you step on the field or even just touch a soccer ball. Slide to block that shot, dive to put that header in the back of the net. Always work as hard as you can and push your teammates every single session, it will help everyone on that pitch and it will help the culture grow even bigger than it already is at FC. Another piece of advice is to listen. All the coaches have things to say that will develop you into a better player. The last thing is to take advantage of the coaching at the club. They will help you get to the next level. They send the most players to the collegiate level in Wisconsin each year.

 

Q. What do you think makes FC Wisconsin different from other clubs?

FC stands out from different clubs in many, many ways. The phrase "FC Family" has a real meaning. The coaches and players care about your development on and off the field. Being apart of that family is so special and something I still consider myself apart of today. Also, the overall culture of the club is outstanding. It is professional and business-like and it will make you a better player. The training sessions having multiple teams and coaches on the field with you is so beneficial. I am glad to have been apart of a club like FC Wisconsin and will never forget my time there.