Newly signed Everton midfielder Anton Peterlin is living the dream of any young soccer professional, having made the astounding jump from the PDL to the Premiere League practically overnight.
YA recently caught up with Peterlin and his coach at the PDL's Ventura county Fusion, Graham Smith, to hear get the full story of what Peterlin himself called a 'miracle' move.
Peterlin explained that Smith, a well connected veteran of the EPL, was central to setting up a trial with the Toffees.
"Graham Smith arranged for me to try out with the Everton in the beginning of 2009. I then traveled to the UK from March 6- 14. He is very well connected and knows a lot about football. I consider him a dedicated and good coach and a friend."
Smith's professional playing career spanned 251 matches, including stints at West Brom and Notts County. Smith says those experiences in England have made him a good judge of talent, which he saw in Peterlin.
"I was fortunate enough to have had a moderate professional career in England," Smith told YA, "followed by much exposure to the game via coaching assignments and a four year spell on the Board of Chelsea FC. I suppose I would be considered a reasonable judge of a player's chances at the various professional levels."
From his first contact with Peterlin, Smith says he recognized what his player was capable of accomplishing.
"Anton displayed many excellent qualities whilst playing for the Fusion. MLS coaches were aware of his potential, but Anton's goal was firstly to complete his degree course, and then try his luck in Europe," Smith said. "Anton went to Everton and spent eight days under the microscope, during which time he acquitted himself well enough to impress David Moyes and his coaching staff. A contract offer ensued, and has been accepted."
As Smith said, with the opportunity of a lifetime on the table, Peterlin made the most of his visit. The player says that, in retrospect, not only was he about to enter another level of play, he was entering a whole new culture of "utter dedication to soccer," as he put it.
He said: "Graham Smith arranged for me to try out with the Everton in the beginning of 2009. I then traveled to the UK from March 6- 14. He is very well connected and knows a lot about football. I consider him a dedicated and good coach and a friend.
"My experience in the UK was amazing and eventful. Once I arrived in Manchester and drove to Liverpool I realized that I had been given a great opportunity.
"Almost immediately, I watched Everton play Middlesbourough in the FA Cup quarterfinals. The game was fast paced and the fans were terrific. Everton won, 2-1, with two great second half goals. That game set the mood for the rest of the week.
"The week I was there was great to play with some great names like Phil Neville, Tim Cahill, Tim Howard and that's just to name a few. Their poise on the ball was terrific and they demand the highest level out of your play every time out. It was terrific. In addition, they worked hard on and off the ball and were direct and very skilled. I was especially impressed with Neville's completion rate and Louis Saha's shot accuracy. He is a natural finisher, him and Jo included.
"Everton was especially good to me and showed great class and respect. The level of play was faster and demands were higher than what I had experienced before, but it was not overwhelming and I knew that I could rise to the occasion.
"I trained with Everton's first and reserve teams. Already with the reserve team, I had to compete with some of the best players in the world. Although it took some time to understand their accents, by the end of the week I was feeling quite comfortable. Their attitude and respect towards football were amazing. I was stepping into another world. "
While Smith arranged for the trial on the big stage, his parents' heritage made signing the player an easy decision for the club. Smith says besides impressing, having the proper paperwork made life easier.
"He qualifies to play there by virtue of his EEC passport - his parents are European," Smith explained. Peterlin was born to a Danish father and a Slovenian mother, and has spent extensive time in both countries.
With the near impossible feat nearly complete, YA found out exactly what Peterlin thought about his incredible journey.
"What do I think about being a PDL player moving to the Premier League?" Peterlin asks, summing up his personal odyssey. "Simply put, it is great. Although there are excellent players and teams in the PDL, I feel that I have entered a new level with Everton."
While Smith could take delight in knowing that one of his players now plays at the highest level possible, in arguably the best leage on the planet, he was quick to explain to YA exactly what he felt the reprocusions of such an accomplishment could be.
"I am of course personally delighted for the boy," Smith says. "I believe that his signing will no doubt have significant ramifications in the minds of all other aspiring young players in the U.S. Hopefully he will prove to be the forerunner of many similar happenings."
With a whirlwind week under his belt, Peterlin had a chance to sit back and really think about what got him to this point. Instead of forgetting what was behind him and embracing his future, he looks back to the people that put him in this position today.
"I would also like to acknowledge California Polytechnic University at San Louis Obispo men's soccer program because Paul Holocher and the team contributed greatly to my development as a football player. I arrived with Paul from the University of California at Santa Cruz for the 2006 soccer season. I played three years as the starting center midfielder. This training helped me to develop my football skills and presented great playing experiences."
In acknowledging that the Fusion helped his cause for Eurpean play so much, Peterlin is eager to give back to the people that made this dream a reality.
"I will be playing with the Ventura Fusion until I leave for Everton in early July. Once I arrive in the UK, it will be non-stop football, for which I am ready and more than excited to begin. I'm not sure how often such miracles happen, but I will not squander this opportunity."
I keep thinking why would Moyes sign a 22-year-old, from an American Uni team after a weekz trial unless he saw something really really special in him! 
