E27: From Bangkok to Professional Football in Norway and the US | Helmer Rusten & Erik McCue
Description
Erik McCue and Helmer Rusten join us to discuss their fascinating footballing journeys. Born in 2001 and raised in expat environments, Erik and Helmer became best friends in Thailand in 7th grade and represented FC Bangkok.
Erik, a Swedish/American centre-back, has played in the DC United academy, represented Houston Dynamo from 2017-2021, and currently plays for El Paso Locomotive in the USL (2nd tier of US football). Helmer, a centre-back turned right-back, has represented Norway at U15-17 level, and currently plays for Kjelsås, a 3rd tier Norwegian side. Helmer is also Cwa’s cousin.
Timestamps
00:00 - Welcome Erik McCue and Helmer Rusten!
01:16 - Helmer intro
02:12 - Erik intro
03:33 - The friendship
08:16 - Helmer’s transition from Thailand to Norwegian youth football
12:15 - Helmer time in Norway’s U15-U17 national teams
13:02 - Helmer’s 907 days of injury
19:41 - Helmer at Kjelsås
23:53 - Kjelsås’ run to the Norwegian Cup QF
28:06 - Helmer’s next goal
29:16 - Erik’s transition from Thailand to DC United
33:30 - Erik’s time at Houston Dynamo
36:43 - Erik’s call up to Sweden U19 national team
37:25 - Erik on confidence, and the MLS Homegrown All Stars
40:58 - Erik’s encounter with Zlatan
45:11 - Erik’s struggle to find a club after leaving Houston
48:36 - Erik on life at AB Argir in the Faroe Islands
51:19 - Erik’s season at El Paso Locomotive
59:25 - Erik’s next goal
1:01:11 - Gazelle vs Bull - the art of defending
1:05:15 - Quickfire questions
1:17:50 - Outro
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