Stepanovic finding success on and off field in US

Serbian midfielder scored first MLS goal six minutes into Chivas debut

By Jeffrey King / MLSnet.com Staff

Bojan Stepanovic recorded his first MLS assists against Sounders FC. (Miranda/Getty Images)

CARSON, Calif. -- Moving to the United States to play professional soccer can be tough, especially if you don't speak the language and have never visited the country before. But Chivas USA's Bojan Stepanovic has done just that and is finding success both on and off the field.

The Serbian midfielder was acquired by the Red-and-White on March 27, after a stint in the Chivas USA preseason camp. Since then, he has grown more accustomed to his new team and his new home in Los Angeles.

"I feel really good," said Stepanovic through an interpreter, teammate Ante Jazic. "The start was tough, coming to a new country, but every day I'm feeling more comfortable."

Stepanovic is a product of the youth system of Belgrade side FK Radnicki Jugopetrol, the club for which he made his first division debut during the 2004-05 Serbian Superliga season. He was most recently with FK Srem of Serbia's First League (second tier), having played there from 2007-09.

He made his first appearance for Chivas USA against FC Dallas on March 29, coming on as a substitute for Eduardo Lillingston in the 69th minute. He scored his first goal for the club just six minutes later, hitting a low shot to ice the game 2-0 in Chivas' favor.

"It was a good way to start my MLS career," said Stepanovic. "To step on the field and have basically my first touch be a goal."

Since then, Stepanovic has become a regular face on the field for the Red-and-White. He has appeared in seven of nine games and been given the starting nod four times. He notched his first MLS assist on April 18 against Seattle Sounders FC.

"Every player wants to be starting all the time, but we have a deep midfield," he said. "Whenever I get the chance to start, I'll be ready."

The most difficult part of Stepanovic's move has been transitioning to life in California. His English has improved significantly since he arrived at Chivas USA, but he still has a long way to go.

"The language barrier has been tough," said Stepanovic. "It can sometimes be hard to communicate. I'm also not used to playing in this heat all the time.

"But I like Los Angeles. I've made some friends, which makes life easier, and am living with a Serbian roommate in Hollywood."

On the field, Stepanovic is right at home in the Chivas USA system and is looking forward to a successful season.

"I've been impressed," he said. "This is a physical team that sticks together and gets good results."

Jeffrey King is a contributor to MLSnet.com.