Marco Pašalić has spent nearly three months in central Florida, where he’s feeling the intense heat that newcomers often encounter as Orlando transitions from a mild spring to its well-known scorching summers.
“I can certainly say it’s really hot,” the Croatian winger shared with MLSsoccer.com this week, as he and his teammates gear up to face off against their Southern rivals, Atlanta United, at Inter & Co Stadium on Saturday evening (7:15 pm ET | MLS Season Pass, Apple TV+; FOX, FOX Deportes).
“It feels odd for me because I’ve spent my entire life in Europe, which is home to me, but it’s nice and enriching to experience different places in the world. Football has a way of bringing people together everywhere,” he added.
Quick Adjustment
Pašalić, who transferred from Croatia’s HNK Rijeka for about $5 million to become the newest Designated Player for Orlando City SC, is adapting to a new city, league, and a club that has strong Latin American influences due to its Colombian head coach Oscar Pareja and a roster that features a significant number of players from Conmebol countries.
“We were somewhat surprised by how quickly he adapted to the team, and he produced results early on,” Pareja remarked on Thursday. “I greatly admire players who come into unfamiliar surroundings and immediately connect with everyone. He has done exceptionally well in that regard.”
Pašalić is actively improving his Spanish on top of already knowing three languages. He mentioned, “Perhaps because I’ve learned so many languages, it’s easier for me, but I think Spanish is straightforward when you engage with it and practice more.” He humorously acknowledged the initial discomfort of learning a new language, emphasizing the necessity of confidence and openness in communication.
Forging Ahead
For the Pašalić family, these words resonate deeply. Cultural adaptation, mastering a new language on the pitch, and adapting to Florida’s humid climate are challenges that a 24-year-old who has faced various personal and professional hurdles is unlikely to shy away from.
Born in Karlsruhe, Germany to parents who fled the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s, Marco and his siblings grew up with a deep appreciation for their adopted homeland as well as a strong connection to the country they left behind.
His talents led him through the youth academies of Karlsruher SC, SV Sandhausen, and TSG Hoffenheim before playing for VfB Stuttgart’s second team and ultimately Borussia Dortmund’s reserve squad at 20. Choosing to pursue a professional soccer career meant leaving his education behind—an impactful decision that triggered a serious conversation with his father.
“When I informed my father, he asked, ‘So what now? You can’t just sit around at home and do nothing,’” Pašalić remembered. “My brother ran a construction company, and I had to join him because we weren’t the type to lounge around at home.”
Path Less Traveled
After club training, young Pašalić would head to construction sites, where he worked on various tasks from flooring to graffiti removal for clients like Kaufland. Sometimes he even took on night shifts, grateful for his brother’s understanding, allowing him to rest before training.
“I told my coworkers, ‘One day, I’ll play for the Croatian national team,’” he recalled with a smile, nurturing that dream by traveling to matches as a dedicated fan of the Vatreni.
With a promising start at Borussia Dortmund, Pašalić received a call-up to the first team from then-manager Marco Rose, making his debut in the 2021 German SuperCup against Bayern Munich. However, injuries sidelined his progress, creating significant frustration in his career.
“He was a good player, but I didn’t see much of him because we were both injured. He had significantly more setbacks than I did,” Pašalić reflected about Reyna. “It’s disheartening being injured so long, far from home, without family or friends to support you.”
Returning Home
When his contract with Dortmund ended, they only offered him a position on the second team. Pašalić sought more and wasn’t afraid to take risks. In June 2023, he signed with Rijeka, a choice that was both pragmatic for career advancement and personal due to its connection to his roots.
Though some criticized him for leaving the Bundesliga’s spotlight, he noted, “The experience was valuable, but the injuries were detrimental. From Dortmund, I can only take it as part of my career. When I transferred to Croatia, the negativity was palpable with people saying, ‘What’s the point? It’s a step back.’”
“I’m the type to stay committed, and what’s done is done.”
Pašalić excelled in Croatia’s top league, regaining his confidence and catching the national team’s eye. He credits his success to coach Sergej Jakirović and ultimately earned a spot on manager Zlatko Dalić’s Euro 2024 squad. Scoring for the national team was a sweet moment of redemption.
“In just three months after moving, I made it to the Croatian national team, a feat no one in our league has achieved so quickly,” he stated. “This is a powerful lesson: a perceived setback can lead to significant advancements.”
Croatian Pride
Pašalić also found joy in experiencing his heritage firsthand after years abroad, a sentiment familiar to many expatriates.
“In every interview, I talk about my love for my country and its people. It’s hard to express, but it’s a profound feeling,” he continued. “I appreciate growing up in Germany, but the warmth of returning to Croatia is unmistakable.”
“It feels like coming home to a mother’s embrace,” he described. “Crossing the border brings an overwhelming sense of belonging – this is home, pure love.”
When the opportunity with Orlando arose, he eagerly embraced the new adventure, despite his mother’s sadness over his move away from Europe. His early success includes four goals and an assist within his first five MLS matches, one of which secured the title of AT&T Goal of the Matchday.
His metrics also reflect his strong performance; observations from Orlando City’s communication team place Pašalić in the top tiers for non-penalty goals, expected goals, and successful take-ons among attacking midfielders and wingers, as per Football Reference data leading into Matchday 9.
Despite recent momentum being stalled by three consecutive 0-0 draws, Pašalić and his teammates anticipate revitalizing their offense against struggling ATL UTD, a team that has historically generated intense battles.
“We all feel, including him, that it’s time for him to start scoring,” said Pareja. “However, I admire how well he has integrated into our team. Even in just eight or nine games, he’s already making an impact with goals.”
While Pašalić prefers to focus on his performance rather than speculate about the future, his experiences shape his optimistic outlook. “Everything is possible; you never know what lies ahead,” he remarked. “I came from the third division in Germany to compete in the Euros with Croatia. Others may doubt, but I believe.”
