September 26, 2014 League 1 Ontario--Interview with TFCA Chris Mannella (from League 1 Ontario website)

  
Interview: TFC's Chris Mannella
. Fri Sep 26 
Written By: Rollins, Duane  

For Chris Mannella it was just another day of training. He showed up to the Toronto FC Kia training 
grounds ready to work hard, and hoped to be noticed by the first-team training staff.

So, it was a bit if a surprise when TFC GM Tim Bezbatchenko pulled him aside and gave him the news 
he'd been waiting a lifetime to hear – he was offered a professional contract.

"I didn't even tell my family until it was all done," he said following training Friday. "A lot had 
to happen quickly so I just focused on getting everything signed.”

"They were ecstatic when I finally told them, as you can imagine."

Mannella had trained throughout the year with the senior team, but it is still a bit surreal 
to be an MLS player. 

"The guys have been great," he stressed. "They've gone out of their way to tell me what 
to expect, and help me adjust."

Still, Mannella understands that as a professional the onus will now be on him to prove that 
he belongs.

"(Signing) really doesn't change much (day to day). I still have to go out every day and work 
hard to prove myself. Just because I signed a pro contract doesn't mean my work is done."

Mannella credits the TFCA system for making the transition easier. He says that head coach 
Mike Stefano goes out of his way to stress the importance of playing like a professional 
even before you actually are one.

It was that philosophy that has allowed TFCA to be so successful in League1 this year, 
Mannella says.

"The league has been great (for us)," he said. “The competition has been great and it's 
pushed us to be better."

Mannella says that there is only one downfall to signing a pro contract.

"It's really (unfortunate) that I wasn't able to finish the season (with TFCA).”

"It's so important that they finish the season off with the championship. It's been 
a while since (TFC) has won a championship and (TFCA) is proud of what we've done 
in League1 thus year.”

"The senior academy team is a special bunch of guys. They've worked hard to accomplish 
what they have."

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