Each USL Season we meet some of the players that have ventured to Olympia, WA to play summer college ball in the USL League Two and the US W League. Today we meet Lennard Fock from Apensen, Germany and currently attending Seattle University.
Lennard Fock currently leads the FC Olympia USL Men’s scoring in 2024 with four goals; one goal against Tacoma Stars and Lane United and (2) against Capital FC.
Learn about Lennard’s journey to the USL2 in the Pacific Northwest and get tickets to see him play tonight against Junction FC.
What is your history playing USL League Two?
Last year, I played for the Flint City Bucks in Michigan. We reached the semi-finals of the USL2 but lost to Ballard.
What has been your playing career from youth to today?
In Germany, school and sports are not connected like they are in the US. Therefore, I have played my whole life in clubs. I was very lucky that my father was deeply involved in soccer and created strong teams with talented players around me. Additionally, he ensured a high level of competition by regularly planning games against different Bundesliga youth clubs.
My personal career began with my hometown team, TSV Apensen. From there, I played for various teams near my hometown that gathered talented players and provided good coaching. My last club in Germany was SV Drochtersen/Assel, a semi-professional team in the 4th league. After finishing the 2022/23 season, I moved to Flint, Michigan, to play my first USL2 season with the Flint City Bucks, where we reached the semi-finals. For Fall 2023, I moved to Seattle to play as a graduate student for the Seattle U men’s soccer team, where I will complete my college soccer career after the next Fall.
What was your soccer upbringing like in Germany?
Soccer is the number one sport in Germany, and almost every kid tries it at least once. I started walking and joined a club when I was 3 years old. From then on, I fell in love with the game and never stopped playing.
Where are you from?
I have lived my whole life in a village called Apensen, which is 25 miles away from Hamburg. Apensen has a population of about 10,000 people and is surrounded by nature and agricultural fields. It is a very calm and peaceful place to live, where everyone knows and greets their neighbors and helps each other when needed.
What is your most memorable moment as a soccer player?
Soccer creates countless memorable moments on and off the field. If I had to choose one, it would probably be winning in an international tournament against the youth team of Bayern Munich in 2013. Considering that FC Bayern Munich was the best team men’s soccer in the world at that time, having won the Champions League, Bundesliga, German Cup, and Super Cup, it is an unforgettable memory.
What’s your favorite thing about FC Olympia?
For a college soccer player, USL2 provides a fantastic opportunity to compete at a high level over the summer and prepare optimally for the following Fall season. Additionally, the coaching team of Coach Dunn and Coach Hattrup was an ideal fit for me as a player. Both have played at the highest level in my position and can share their experiences and thoughts to help improve my game over the summer.
What is your life like outside of soccer?
A typical day for me, with or without USL2, starts early with either practice at 8 AM on the field or in the gym. After that, I have breakfast and spend time talking to my friends and family in Germany. After lunch, when Germany is sleeping, I work on tasks for my master’s program. My classes start at 6 PM, so I try to get a second workout in either before or after my classes. By 10 PM, my day is officially over, and I go to bed.
Who is your soccer hero?
My two soccer heroes are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Together, they have shaped the era of soccer as I know it in two different ways.
What is your advice for young soccer players looking to go to the next level?
My advice to young players aspiring to reach a higher level is to never lose the fun and joy of the game. It definitely takes hard work, consistency, and dedication to improve, but as long as you enjoy the journey, the challenges will always be manageable.
Subscribe to be the first to get Artesian News, Photos and More!