Roma keeper learns from the best
Carson Provenzano received some intense on-the-job training this spring.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper for the St. Catharines Club Roma Wolves spent two months on the roster of A.S.D. Città di Foligno, a fifth-division professional club in Italy.
Provenzano worked out every day with the team and even accompanied them on the road, although, he did not get into any game action.
“It was great,” he said. “I was there for two months training every day. The city and environment were beautiful and I’m excited to go back.
“It was soccer every day.”
Provenzano said the experience of training with a professional team was exactly what he hoped it would be.
“Honestly, it was a great feeling having nothing to worry about other than just every day going to the pitch and training and then going home,” he said. “Whether you want to do the gym or not, is a little extra stuff for you. I was just focusing on getting better and getting ready for the season here.”
The St. Catharines native feels the training has already paid off.
“When you get to that level, it’s a lot of small things that can make the difference,” he said. “Everybody can kind of do the big things. Especially as a goalkeeper, everybody can stop a shot. It’s game management type of things, positioning on crosses, also how the European strikers think. I had to adjust that because they are high quality and know what they are doing.
“It’s a lot of little things but the little things add up to being very big for your game.”
Provenzano had previously made two similar trips to Italy, but is still in awe of how much the game means to the local fans.
“Over there, it’s a whole different animal,” he said. “It’s crazy. The team is the pride of the city, no matter what division they’re in. They used to play in third division. They got relegated a couple of times but they are still the pride of the city, no matter where they play.”
Provenzano said a normal home game would draw 500-600 fans as well as hard core followers called Ultras, who bring flags, drums and smoke machines.
“They followed the team. I travelled to away games and the Ultras were always there,” he said.
Provenzano is hoping to sign with the team for next season, which begins in August.
“Nothing is set in stone but it’s looking pretty good,” he said. “I think I’m knocking on the door and hopefully I’ll be able to climb up the ranks soon.”
The Wolves, 1-3, are coming off a solid effort in a 1-0 loss to Waterloo last Friday.
“Last game we carried the play and were all over them but just couldn’t get that finishing edge,” Provenzano said. “One mistake from us and they capitalized.
“I think overall we were the better team.”
Provenzano feels the best is yet to come from the Wolves.
“As the season goes forward I think you’ll start to see better results. It’s very early and we had a lot of turnover from last season, a lot of new guys. We kind of expected it would take a few games to reach our potential.”
The Wolves travel to Mississauga Saturday to play Sigma FC, who are off to a 3-0-1 start.
St. Catharines’ next home game is Friday, May 26 at Club Roma versus Electric City FC.
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