Sport: The sporting expat

Sneekweek ©Anke Haadsma

Many Holland Times readers can relate to heading off to a foreign country for work thinking they will return at some point to their home country. Many readers can also relate to going from an unplanned transition from expat to permanent resident of their new country. Short term assignments can turn into lifelong adventures whether for work, love or simply a good fit in the new country. For Thomas Rongen the reason was less common: an invitation to play professional soccer in the United States turned into a lifetime of opportunity in sport.

When we think of Dutch sport figures who left the Netherlands to ply their trade in America, we might think of Rik Smits, the “Dunking Dutchman”. who parlayed a college education in Poughkeepsie, New York for a career playing professional basketball in the USA and finally taking up residence in Zionsville, Indiana. Or we might consider Arie Luyendyk who made a name for himself in the USA in open wheel motor sport and cemented his fame for all time by winning the Indianapolis 500. “The Flying Dutchman”, who hails from the island village of Sommelsdijk, can be found these days enjoying the warmth of Scottdale, Arizona.

For Thomas Rongen, the journey was different but is a story that merits telling here. In the late 70’s, Rongen was a 21 year old recent graduate of the CIOS (Physical Education) and was playing football for the Amsterdamsche Football Club (AFC), a traditional and successful club in the Sunday amateur competition. Young Rongen was asked by the legendary Dutch trainer, Rinus Michels to join the team he had been hired to coach in the United States: the Los Angeles Aztecs in the North American Soccer League. Michels brought a number of Dutch players with him including one Hendrik Johannes Cruyff. In 1980, Cruyff would move to the Washington Diplomats and Rongen would follow suit. The 1980 season would be the last for the Diplomats as the franchise folded and the players were left to find new teams. Cruyff would return to Europe to play for Levante in Spain and Rongen would remain in the U.S., ending up in Florida with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. After a few more stops in other cities playing both outdoor and indoor football, Rongen would hang up his boots in Ft. Lauderdale. Having already coached football during his playing days, Rongen would continue to coach at the High School, Collegiate, Club and Professional levels. In 1996, he would coach the Tampa Bay Mutiny in the inaugural season of Major League Soccer. He would manage two other clubs in MLS including D.C. United where he led the team to club the MLS Cup in 1999. Following his tenure in MLS, Rongen would move to federation football being appointed as the head coach of the U.S. Under 20 men’s team where he would spend most of the 21st century’s first decade.

After failing to qualify with the U.S. for the World Cup in 2011, Rongen signed on to coach American Samoa. Under Rongen, American Samoa won a game against Tonga which was only their second win in the island nation’s footballing history. His coaching in American Samoa was featured in the 2014 documentary “Next Goal Wins” which was reviewed very favorably in this newspaper and was widely acclaimed. For fans of the beautiful game, this is a must watch. The story has also been adapted as a feature film and is slated for release in 2023 with Michael Fassbender starring in the role of Thomas Rongen.

Rongen continues his footballing journey in America putting his vast experience and knowledge to good use as a television and radio commentator. He works for BeIN Sports, CBS Sports and is also the analyst for the radio broadcasts of the MLS side Inter Miami CF. The same effervescent personality and true gift of gab serve him well in a new role as well - Rongen has been drafted into service by the Dutch Government to serve as the “Liaison for Sports Innovation and Vitaly” for the consulate in Miami. Led by Consul General Ruth Emmerink, the Consulate in Miami has taken a proactive role in promoting Dutch businesses in the sports and vitality sector to secure business opportunities in the region and nationally. Part of the strategy includes a socalled Project In Business (PIB) which is funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency and includes the Orange Sports Forum in promoting Dutch innovation in Sport in the U.S. The recent activities at Soccerex, the world’s foremost football trade show and conference in Miami were a very visible kickoff to the PIB on American soil. Front and center at Soccerex representing the country to which he is still fiercely proud was Thomas Rongen. His vast network in sport and his ability to inspire interest in the sport he is so passionate about will no doubt go a long way to ensure that the efforts will be successful. For more information: www.nlsportpartners-usa.com

Written by John Mahnen