DETROIT (8/1/2018) -- Former Detroit Mercy standout goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher has always had the dream and he figured now was the time to make it a reality.
Steinwascher, who starred for the Titans from 2011-15 and was the Horizon League Goalkeeper of the Year in 2014, has started his professional soccer journey, joining Grythyttans IF in Sweden. It's just the start of hopefully a long professional journey for the Sterling Heights native.
"I have always had the aspirations to play professionally," Steinwascher said. "When I graduated from Detroit Mercy, opportunities did not come for me to play, so I began to work in public accounting. After working for a year, I decided that I needed to take the risk and try to play anywhere while I am still young. Fifteen or 20 years from now, I did not want to wonder 'What if?'"
Steinwascher, who left Detroit Mercy tied-for-first in career shutouts (19) and second in wins (27) and goals against average (1.23), attended a combine with SoccerViza with it taking him to Costa Rica. Through this opportunity, he was recommended to begin his career in Sweden with it leading to more opportunities.
Steinwascher has starred with Detroit City FC, out of the National Premier Soccer League, playing for the team in each of the past three seasons. His journey from playing collegiate soccer at Detroit Mercy to DCFC has helped prepare him for that next step.
"While playing at Detroit Mercy, I was able to play against many players of whom are playing at the professional level," Steinwascher reflected. "In addition, I feel that I was able to grow tremendously in the mental aspects of the game when
Keith Jarema was appointed as the goalkeeper coach. Keith was someone that understood the mental aspects of the goalkeeper position better than anyone I had ever had as a coach, which helped me tremendously during my time with him there.
"With Detroit City FC, I have been given the opportunity to play in the US Open Cup, in which we have gone to the second round and played against a USL pro team in both years that we have competed in it (2016 and 2018). These games allowed me to see the professional level in the United States, and gave me even more motivation to someday play at the next level."
Steinwascher's belief is to keep playing and strive for advancements to the next levels in professional soccer. Grythyttans IF plays in Division 4 in Sweden, but with a division win, it would move up to Division 3, the fifth tier of Swedish football. The squad is currently in first place in the division with nine games left.
"I understand that a professional career in football is similar to a professional career in anything else in life; You have to start somewhere," Steinwascher said. "For one trying to go into finance, you don't get hired on as a CFO or Finance Director in your first five years in business. You get hired on as an entry-level staff, and you begin your career from there. I am viewing this opportunity in the same way. There are stepping stones to a successful career.
"This is just the first step in my career as a professional footballer. If I continue to work hard to improve and stay on my desired path, the opportunities will come. For now, I am just enjoying the beginning of what I hope will be a long journey."
