Sterling Wescott has experienced many sides of the global soccer spectrum. He's solicited Switzerland pubs the night before big matches and witnessed first hand Europeans' passion for the game. He's played for U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena, even if it was just a short stint with DC United, and he's played indoor in Wichita, Kan.
He's also called Hawaii, Virginia, Colorado and California home during his soccer career, but never has settling down really been an option. However, now that the Utah Freezz midfielder has been residing in Utah a few months, Wescott and his wife Lisle and their 8-month-old daughter Jenna are enjoying the Wasatch Front and considering calling it home."I really enjoy here. I've lived in many different places, but this is one of the best places as far as everything combined," Wescott said. "We would absolutely love to settle down here. We're sick of moving around. It would be nice to stay here a while."
Whether or not claiming residency in Utah ever occurs is contingent upon a few things, namely the success of the Freezz. At 27, Wescott isn't ready to hang up his boots, so as long as the Freezz are cohabiting the E Center, he'll stay if he's wanted.
Based on his ability, it's doubtful the Freezz will be releasing Wescott anytime soon. That's always a comforting feeling for any soccer player in the United States, because he's experienced being cut.
Four years ago during Major League Soccer's inaugural season, Wescott was on DC United's opening day roster. In addition to playing for Arena, John Harkes, Marco Etcheverry and Jeff Agoos were a few of his teammates. His tenure in the MLS only lasted two months before he was cut.
"Everybody knows in this business that's going to happen," Wescott said. "You either move on and find another job or quit playing and get a real job."
Wescott opted to continue his fantasy employment and joined the A League's Hampton Roads, and he ended up watching his ex-mates win the MLS cup on television a few months later. Though getting canned was frustrating, the experience gained was immeasurable. When asked if he enjoyed playing for Arena, Wescott sort of scoots around the question, obviously still harboring a little ill will.
"I think playing with players like those guys was a better experience than playing for Arena," Wescott said.
Wescott, who was born in Utah, moved to the other side of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado at age 9 when his father took a job there. After donning his cap and gown following four years at Fresno State, Wescott began leaving his mark around the globe.
Playing in Switzerland was easily the most rewarding for Wescott from a purely soccer point of view.
"It was great to go someplace where people actually care about soccer and are passionate about it," Wescott said. "It's obviously not quite the same here except for the people in the soccer community. The people in the soccer community realize it's a great game."
Wescott only lasted in Switzerland six months; in a sense it was like getting cut again. His team, FC Laufen, was playing in the Third Division, and in European leagues the two worst teams drop to a lower division the following year. His team won one stinking game, relegating them to a lower division, but Wescott's pride was too great to play overseas in a Switzerland Fourth Division league, so he came home.
Years later, everything seems to be working out for the best. Utahns appear to be taking to the indoor game as the Freezz own the third-highest attendance in the league, and that means Wescott could be around a while.
"If everyone works together, including the front office and the players, there are enough soccer fans and there are enough sports fans here to support it," Wescott said. "All of us players have a responsibility to get the Freezz name out there as often as we can whether it's at appearances that are organized . . . or simply at a tournament passing out schedules."
If all goes well with Wescott, and assuming his wife, who owns a master's degree in school work, lands a job, the Wescott family could be sticking around for a while, which will definitely enhance the quality and respectability of Utah's soccer community.
FREEZZ GAME
E Center
7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 21