Aiden Mesias is new to Madison in 2023, but he’s no stranger to coming to a new city. The 23-year-old native of London, England has played soccer all across the world. His journey began at a young age first with Charlton Athletic and then with Queens Park Rangers academy.
“At QPR’s academy, we’d train three times a week,” Mesias said. “Let’s say Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, game Sunday, So we’d go and have lunch, train, do some academic work, then train again in the evening.”
After being in the QPR academy from 2012-2019, Mesias decided it was time to take his talents to the United States in the form of USL Championship soccer with Hartford Athletic. After one season in Connecticut, the pandemic and an injury changed the course of Mesias’ career.
“After the 2020 season was done, I didn’t get a contract and then had an injury afterwards. I didn’t play football for an entire year. I trained and rehabbed and then went to Germany in 2021. It was a great experience, but outside of football, I was lonely. I was by myself and didn’t know how to speak the language. The boys tried to help me out, but there was only so much that I could pick up on.”
While at SSV Ulm 1846 in Germany, Mesias had a switch in mentality while on the pitch that altered his way of thinking about the game.
“It was the changing of one word: have to must. If I went up for a header and didn’t win it, I’d say I have to win it the next time. The guys around me would say you must win it next time, and that shifted my thinking. We were fighting for promotion there and while we didn’t win it, it’s an experience I’ll cherish.”
The year in Germany led Mesias to consider his future options with his agent. After discussing, Mesias decided it was in his best interest to return to America. Mesias connected with Forward Madison Head Coach Matt Glaeser and his coaching staff, ultimately leading him to becoming part of the Forward Madison squad. He arrived in Madison along with the rest of the squad at the start of 2023.
“For a group of guys that arrived a couple months ago, we’ve gelled so well. It’s absurd. I think it goes to show respect for the Boss [Matt Glaeser] and the vets that have made the new guys feel welcome and part of something. It’s really special here.”
That special feeling is one that Mesias remarks is part of an overall collective culture building amongst everyone at the Club.
“The Boss has made it clear that everything we do is together, there’s no individuals and we attack and defend together. You can see on the on the game where Derek made an overlap, right. Now we have no left wing but the closest man was [Christian] Chaney. Chaney went all the way back to be that left wing and even defended in the box. That’s what I mean.”
Mesias has now played in all three Forward Madison USL League One matches in 2023, totaling 251 minutes played. His first opportunity to play in front of the Breese Stevens Field crowd came on Saturday, April 15th in the Home Opener.
“It felt like home. I grew up at Loftus Road with QPR. It’s like one of the smallest pitches in England for the bigger clubs, around 18,000. But the fans are literally a meter away from the pitch and then that’s how I felt here in Madison. We don’t want to waste the fans’ time coming out on a Saturday night with their family. We need to perform for them just as much as ourselves.”
As for what’s next for Mesias, it’s all about the shared goal amongst every player on the squad.
“I was thinking at the beginning of the season about how I wanted to be on the score sheet and assist as much as I could. I’m now in a position where I don’t get on the score sheet as much, so my focus is trying to stay fit, play as many games as I can, and help this team win. We need to win no matter what and make the playoffs. Ask any guy on our team, they’ll say the same.”
