Steve Lenhart to Japan

good for him, what an experience

good for MLS that he can't cut it there anymore

 

Imabari is newly promoted from the Shikoku League, one of the regional leagues comprising the 5th tier of Japanese soccer. The majority owner is Takeshi Okada, who coached Japan at the 1998 and 2010 World Cups, and several of the coaching staff have been part of the JFA setup. They also have several big-name uniform sponsors (Deloitte, Mitsubishi Corporation) and are "associate members" of the J-League - an intermediate step which signals their intent to eventually play in the professional ranks.

In other words, FC Imabari is a bit higher-profile than your average local semipro club and may end up in the J-League relatively soon. As a Quakes fan I really wish him well there.

 

I hope he's blogging this.

 

On a scale of 1-10 in how much I love this move, I'd give it a 12

 

From his official profile on the club homepage:

Q&A
Hobbies / skills
piano, surfing, beach volleyball
Future dream / goals
I want to work with children.
Favorite words
[fun/enjoyment/looking forward...ambiguous in translation]
Favorite books or movies
Ame, child of the stars, Mad Max
Favorite foods
Vegetables, hot pot
Favorite type (of partner)
open to the world, beautiful soul, enjoys outside, cho kaui [super cute], kind and funny
Playing style
strong and creative
Nobody beats me at...
working hard
My idol as a player
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
What does soccer mean to you?
soccer is art.
What I love about FC Imabari
I love that the people who work for FC Imabari are passionate about establishing beautiful football and exemplary club management to Japan and the world.
Who do you respect, and why?
Robbie Rogers - I respect him for the life he carved out as a pioneer and his courage.

 

Wow.

 

Why is the Japanese 4th division getting TV time?

 

Imabari just held their annual preseason press conference, with Takeshi Okada (the owner and former Japan NT coach - sort of like Japan's Bruce Arena) MCing.
http://www.nikkansports.com/m/soccer/news/1770961_m.html?mode=all
In addition to Lenhart, the team has recruited several players with J1/J2 experience in an effort to push for promotion to J3. In addition, a new stadium seating 5,000 is under construction, clearing the prerequisite capacity of 2,000 for J3 clubs.

Lenhart introduced himself to the audience in Japanese, to warm applause: "Moshi Moshi, konnichiwa. I'm American, from the United States. Imabari is a beautiful city. I'm here with the intent to put down roots here."

This is apparently the stadium being built:

 

Japan better get ready.

Lenhart checks in

 

No matter what he does with the team, thats an awesome experience.

Kudos to Lenhart for stepping outside the box, wouldn't mind leaving my boring ass cube and doing something similar.

 

I bet Japanese girls will love him and call him either Godzilla San or American Shabani.

 

I found a fan's interview of Lenhart posted on a local website. I had a half-hour to kill so here goes with a quick-and-dirty translation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lenny is "art": Steven Lenhart
We have a new target man from America! Most likely the first one we have in Japan.

The 2nd player to be featured in our series profiling the new additions to FC Imabari's squad: #15 Steven Lenhart, the 30-year-old striker who arrived from Major League Soccer. This is my first time interviewing a foreign player, and thanks go out to the English-speaking staff and coaches from FC Imabari.

He embodies the idealized physical stereotype that Japanese people have of foreigners: very tall, with long legs, and a lean build. "Lenny" fits this description exactly.

As fans saw during the preseason press conference, Lenhart is great at connecting with fans. Having seen him on the field at the training match today, I thought he might be in a frustrated disposition for our interview, but my concerns were dispelled instantly. He was incredibly quick to change gears, and warmly greeted me while sending off the club staff with calls of otsukaresama [a Japanese greeting: sort of like a combination of "see you later" and "great work"].

On his first impressions of Imabari City, Lenhart said: "the people, team, town, and community are warm and welcoming." He had been to Japan on many previous occasions for sightseeing and to visit friends, stopping by Tokyo, Akita, Hakone, Awajishima, and Okinawa, among other cities.

Having had experience visiting the country, he approached FC Imabari's offer with an open mind. "I just wanted to keep playing soccer, at any tier. I came here to embark on a new challenge."

He is also positive about the on-field product so far. "It's really fun out there. We have players with high technical quality, organized well with good discipline. I'm still getting acclimated, but I think my game will fit in well over time." The adaptability he has developed by playing for top clubs is on display.

Lenhart is also a big fan of Japanese cuisine, although he makes one adamant exception: "No natto"! At least in this one regard, he has yet to adapt.

I was also struck by his affection and commitment to the region: "I want to meet and interact with all kids of people. Of course our objective is promotion to the J3 League, but in the process I want to make an impact by strengthening the bond between the club and the city."

Back to soccer: "FC Imabari's game is about possessing the ball for long stretches and constructing an extremely technical attack. My job is to add some forward thrust to this attack-minded team, and provide leadership."

Not only do his comments exude charisma, but you can sense that he treats the mission of building the club's bond with the community very seriously.

Lenny's personality shows a stark contrast. On the field, he is a warrior whose intimidating character is only amplified by the fact that no one else understands what he is saying. His wears his passion on the field.

FC Imabari's official bio page says that Lenhart's motto is "soccer is art". He elaborates, "Art is about expressing something - it doesn't matter if there are 20,000 or several thousand fans in the stands. I'm just here to express myself." Wow, I thought, what an awesome dude. He flashed a satisfied grin when I told him, "you are cool!"

He continued to expound on the club's mission: "FC Imabari isn't just about getting promoted, making headlines, and making the club famous. I have no interest in that either. The important thing is to build a foundation and strong passion, in other words to solidify these aspects. Even if we were to find our way to the top quickly, there is no point if we don't do it in tandem with the community."

I'm amazed at his passion, especially after only 2 weeks in Imabari. I guess you have to have that kind of heart to head abroad alone to play soccer.

Lenhart is great with the fans and clearly has solid ideas, and I find it ludicrous when he shares that he used to be a shy character. "In the past, I used to hole up in my own space and hold others at arm's length. I grew out of that due to other people watching and supporting me. I want to give back to those people and become more connected. If any of our players has trouble bonding fans, I'll show them how it's done."

Clearly, Lenny places great importance on using soccer as a platform to connect with others. He expresses his commitment to the cause, vowing to "set down roots" here. His clarity of thought and well-articulated ideas are definitely a strong sign. Perhaps Lenny is "art" himself, as someone so comfortable with expressing himself. I am left with little doubt that the blond newcomer will prove to be an important figure for FC Imabari and the city.

 

He must be their highest paid player. I mean maybe he is teaching English as a side gig? This is weird but awesome at the same time.

 

any updates?

 

The team is well capitalized for a lower division club in the boonies, and I doubt it costs a ton to live there.

I found some Imabari fans on Twitter and sent them Brian's article, which was well received.

 

"On the field, he is a warrior whose intimidating character is only amplified by the fact that no one else understands what he is saying."

I want this on my tombstone.

 

Isn't it how that was happening here?

 

I would've thought that insane, wordless screams of excitement and rage were universal....

 

That's rough. I hate to see anyone forced out of the game due to injury. All the best to Steven!

 

Was really looking forward to seeing how this played out-- could've been a great story! Sad he had to bow out, but glad for him that he had the good sense to do it on his own terms. Hope others test some unknown waters...

 

I wonder how many former athletes are out there running around with damaged melons.

 

What is Steve Lenhart up to since retiring from soccer?

Still being remarkably interesting.

He is on of the teams competing on The Toughest Race

Here is the description of the show:

"From the creator of Survivor, 66 teams descend upon Fiji to compete in the most epic global adventure race ever attempted. Bear Grylls hosts this 11-day expedition that pushes competitors to their physical and emotional limits. For the veteran teams the goal is to win – but for most, the dream is to finish and prove to themselves and the world, that they can prevail in the World’s Toughest Race."

*hears the sound of the conch* #WorldsToughestRace is officially underway. Watch now on @PrimeVideo https://t.co/HLIdOiD93a pic.twitter.com/RRXox1uL1J

— World's Toughest Race (@ToughRaceTV) August 14, 2020