TRAVERSE CITY- Kaspire Lehtinin, or Kassu, as he’s known by his teammates, spent the first 17 years of his life in Finland before coming to Traverse City for a one-year student foreign exchange program.
“I didn’t pick Traverse city, but I picked the United States because the sports culture here is so amazing, I had to come.
Everything here is so different than in a small country like Finland. I love it here" (Lehtinin).
He began playing soccer, a popular sport in Finland, when he was just four years old.
“We’re not the best, but it’s pretty big sport there, so. It’s the team that’s the best. Teamwork. Everything” (Lehtinin).
Kassu joined the Trojan team after the season had already begun but was a welcome addition for head coach Gavin Richmond, who learned of his interest in playing through a messaging app.
“It’s really nice to have a kid from a different culture come in. The boys have made them welcome straight away. You know, he can play. You know, he’s got good feet. It’s in his DNA. You know, it’s part of the European culture to be able to play football, as we call it over there.
So, kids love him. He’s made some good connections with the boys and, excited to see him play a little bit more this year" (Richmond).
Kassu says he’s very social, so joining a new team in a new country wasn’t too difficult, despite English being his third language. But he’s had to adjust to how differently the game is played.
“It’s, let’s say, a bit weird? I think so much more direct, kind of better” (Lehtinin).
Coach Richmond echoed the sentiment, saying
“You know, the game over here is very fast and physical. Probably a little bit less technical. And he’s used to where he is. So, I think he’s had to adjust physically”.
The Finland native has been taking in the differences off the field as well.
“Well, people here use a lot of cars and everyone here has a car, and that’s so much different. We can drive until it’s, that’s different and some other things. I’ve been to (some) places like my friends have taken me somewhere. But not too much yet”.
Now, halfway through the season, Kassu has hit his stride and understands the weight of tomorrow night’s rivalry game.
“I’ve heard everything I need to know” (Lehtinin).
Central and West will square off at West High School tomorrow night at 6:45 p.m.