By JEN RICHTER
MK Sports

Michael Tanke, a 2007 Niles High School graduate, has always had the dream to play professional soccer.
That dream came true this spring when he signed with the Rochester Rhinos of the USL after graduating from the University of Rhode Island.
Tanke was a powerful central midfield for the Rhode Island Rams, appearing in 65 games throughout his career, starting in all 18 games this past season and earning All-Tournament honors at the ODU Stihl Soccer Classic.
Tanke is now six games into his professional career, having appeared in all contests. He has started three of them and has notched one assist.
“Michael’s desire and mentality is why we signed him,” said Rochester head coach Bob Lilley. “He’s a ball winning midfielder that is willing to do all the dirty work for the team.”
Even with his heavy travel schedule during the regular season, and demanding practice schedule during the offseason, Michael graduated on May 22 from URI with a dean’s list-quality 3.4 grade point average, major in nutrition and dietetics and minor in international development.
Jen Richter of MK Sports group recently caught up with Tanke to ask him some questions about his pro career:

Jenna: What do you think is changing about soccer, or the landscape of professional soccer in the US that is making more and more individuals, such as yourself, try their hand at carving out a life in pro soccer here in the US?
Michael: There is a new generation of soccer players, with a significant increase in the quality of play. There are so many good players now. The sport is growing and becoming more popular, so there are more opportunities — but it’s now becoming harder to get your chance because of the sheer number of quality of players. The second division, USL Pro and NASL, has become a viable option, allowing players, like myself, to grow as a player and work towards the MLS and Europe.
The sport is growing and becoming more popular, so there are more opportunities — but it’s now becoming harder to get your chance because of the quality of players. The opening of the second division, USL Pro, has become a viable option allowing players, like myself, to grow as a player and work towards the MLS. This wasn’t such an appealing option 10 years ago.

Jenna: What if anything has surprised you about the USL, the Rhinos, and your first year as a pro?
Michael: When I signed, I had quite a few friends that were already playing pro in the USL and MLS — so I knew the level of soccer that was played and the commitment needed. I trained with the Columbus Crew U-20 team last summer and got glimpse of the level of play, expectations and how to carry yourself as a professional. But my personal success this first season has really surprised me — I’ve really gotten to make an impact on the field, and gotten more playing time that I ever expected as a rookie. Hopefully, as I continue to grow and learn, my role on the team will only get bigger.

Jenna: How has your season been going this year?

Michael: We are 3-3-0, and all three of our losses have been 0-1 on the road. It’s a long season — six months, compared to two and a half to three months in college. Our team attitude is “get on with it” and get on a winning streak.

Jenna: How about your play personally?

Michael: My Coach says ‘my strength is one of the team’s weaknesses – ball winning’. So it’s great fit for me to be here. It’s nothing I’m doing differently from what I did at URI, but my talents as a player are important here.

Jenna: What are your goals for the end of the season?

Michael: My first goal was make the travel team. Those goals changed quickly when I made the travel team and started getting into games. Now my goal is to get into every game — starting or off the bench. And before that, I’m really just trying to improve as a player.
Our team goals are to finish first in the league as the team did in 2010 and be the USL Pro Champions at the end of the post-season. In addition, the Open Cup is important to us (All MLS, USL and PDL are teams included in this tournament). Every year MLS teams seem to dominate the tournament — we’d like to make a deep run.

Jenna: Best moment as a pro?

Michael: Definitely my first start — it was the third game of season and I also got my first assist. My mom and dad came to the game, and it was very emotional for her and myself. It brought her to tears.

Jenna: What is the most important quality in an athlete when going after dreams?
Michael: It definitely has to be your work ethic — and that means something different to everyone. For some players it’s being as fit as you can, for some it’s perfecting free kicks, etc. One of my youth coaches would always say, “every time you’re not playing soccer, there is someone that is.” That has stuck with me because I always have the mentality that someone else is getting better.

Jenna: What advice would you give younger players who are trying to make it?

Michael: Enjoy it. Find your passion and don’t let it go. If you’re doing what you love, you’re already successful.