New York Red Bulls II midfielder Jake Lacava joined Red Bulls Academy last year and played for the U-19’s. He appeared in eight matches and recorded one goal. He has featured for the United States Youth National Team at the U-16 and U-18 level.
Lacava signed his first professional contract with NYRB II on July 3, 2020. The New Milford, Connecticut native has made five appearances for the club this season, including a two-assist performance in his first professional start against Philadelphia Union II on July 22.
Learn more about Lacava below:
Q. What has been the best moment of your soccer career so far?
Lacava: The best moment of my career so far has been making my first professional start against Philadelphia and getting two assists in a 5-1 victory on the road. It was a great night for the team, we overcame a lot in the week preparing for the game and the result just made it even better.
Q. What made you choose to move to Red Bulls Academy last year?
Lacava: Growing up and playing in the Regional Development School system and going to games at Red Bull Arena definitely played a big part in my decision to move to Red Bulls Academy last year. Also, having someone I had worked with before and loved playing under in Sean McCafferty, working at the organization definitely helped finalize my decision to make the move here.
Q. What is your favorite memory from your time with the Academy?
Lacava: My favorite memory from the Academy would have to be our final game against PDA before we went to the winter showcase. It was a night game, under the lights, that we ended up winning, 2-0, and the energy that the team brought that night was amazing. That night and that performance really encased everything you would hope for as an academy player.
Q. How did it feel getting your first two professional assists against Philadelphia on July 22?
Lacava: The feeling of getting my first two professional assists was amazing, it’s something that I’ve always dreamed of and I was thrilled I was able to help contribute in a good win on the road against Philadelphia. I look forward to contributing many more assists and goals too in my career to come.
Q. What is your favorite pre-game music?
Lacava: My favorite pre-game music is probably EDM/pop mashups. I listen to a wide range of music before games, but my go-to would have to be anything that makes me happy and feel energized and mashups do that best.
Q. What do you like to do when you’re not training or playing soccer?
Lacava: I spend a lot of time training and playing soccer, but currently I’m trying to learn guitar and I spend a lot of time listening to music. I’ve also recently started golfing on any down time or off days I have, and tennis has always been something that I enjoy on off days.
Q. Was there a player that you grew up admiring when you were younger?
Lacava: There’s been multiple players whose style of play and game I admire and try to learn from while growing. Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Eden Hazard are players who consistently impact the game and can change a game in a matter of seconds something that I try and incorporate in my game.
Q: What would be your go-to karaoke song?
Lacava: My go-to karaoke song is Dani California by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Q. What is your favorite movie of all time?
Lacava: My favorite movie is either Warrior, or Troy.
Q. Who is your favorite club to support?
Lacava: My favorite club to support is Arsenal.
Q: Who is your role model?
Lacava: My role model is my mother. She teaches me so much and is constantly setting an example for me to be better. I don’t know where I’d be without her and I look up to her every day.
Q: If there was a 3v3 tournament, who would be your two picks for your team from the club?
Lacava: My two picks for my team would be Caden Clark and John Tolkin. Caden and I were teammates from all the way back to our Barca Academy days, so we would link up well, and then Tolkin and I met in the academy and I got familiar with linking up with him so the chemistry would be amazing.
