MLS has been expanding its market and signing promising players from Brazil, one of whom is midfielder Gabriel Pirani. He joined DC United in July 2023 and made his debut the following month, already wearing the number 10 jersey and being a starter for the American capital’s team. Since then, the midfielder has scored three goals in 37 matches in the top American league. The athlete discussed his adaptation to the country’s football and the differences from Brazilian football.
“I learned a lot this year in MLS; it’s a very different style of football from Brazil, and I managed to adapt. I think it’s always a challenge to move to a new country, with a new culture and people from all over the world coming through here, but it’s to practice the sport I love, so it was all worth it,” said Pirani.
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The U.S. is starting to create a football culture; the most popular sports in the country are American football (the NFL) and basketball (the NBA). DC United is a team located in the capital, Washington, which is also home to the Commanders and the Wizards. Pirani shared a bit about this cultural difference and the evolution of MLS.
“The culture of the country is something I have learned a lot about. It’s a country where football is not the main sport in terms of interest, very different from Brazil. But I see that it is growing a lot, with more fans at the games, and that is very important. Seeing the growth of MLS with players like Messi, Suarez, Reus, and Giroud up close is something very special. High-caliber players who make a difference and teach a lot,” the player concluded.
