Perrella, who isn’t willing to say his days between the posts are totally over, never had the kind of moments in the Open Cup as a player that he hopes to as a coach. And that’s something that motivates him now.
“Coaching is another chance for me after never having really had things work out the way I wanted to – or being able to get those big moments in the Cup as a player,” said the coach whose CV includes assistant briefs in southern Africa, under the tutelage of former Zimbabwe and Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar, and with Drexel University’s women’s team. “
I was one of the guys sending 500 emails as a college kid trying to get to play for the Nor’easters,” Perrella said on the eve of the 2023 Open Cup. “Now it’s a new chance.”
Warm-up for the Summer
If the Nor’easters get a run going in the Open Cup, and that overlaps with the League Two season, there’s an issue of balance to consider.
“We don’t own these guys,” Perrella chuckled about keeping the players focused when the sun and fun of summertime on the Shore beckons. “But they’re here for a reason. And I see myself in more of a mentorship role and less as a disciplinarian. It doesn’t work for everyone. They’re kids and they’ll see what they can get away with in a good way.
“I’m an open personality and we’ll have to find the right fit,” he added.
In all, it does feel and sound a bit like a family – special, imperfect and worth protecting.
“It’s nice to see a lot of our boys go on to the pros,” said Granese, who Perrella calls a “hands-on owner in the best sense.” He watches a new group of boys come to town every May and speaks of them like a proud papa might.
“Just when you lose faith in the young people of the world, these guys show up and they’re smart, sharp, good and quick,” said Granese. “And I can’t help think: this country’s in good shape after all.”
Fontela is editor-in-chief of usopencup.com. Follow him at @jonahfontela on Twitter.
