Kyle Kaveny: An American in Neustrelitz Part 1

Kyle Jameson Kaveny is a 26 year-old American defender who plays for TSG Neustrelitz in the German Oberliga NOFV-Nord.  Born into an athletic family (Dad was a javelin thrower, Mom played professional softball and Kyle’s sister played and coached college volleyball), the Cupertino, California native has known success as a member of the 2006 NCAA national champion University of California -Santa Barbara Gauchos, and later as a member of the 2009 PDL champion Ventura County team.  Kyle has also experienced adversity, suffering a broken leg right before his senior season that caused him to miss his final collegiate campaign.  But through it all, Kyle has had faith in his ability, the loving support of his family and the persistence to go forward.  

That persistence has led him to Germany, where he’s playing regularly at center back for Neustrelitz, and scored the last-minute winning goal Sunday in Neustrelitz 2-1 victory over Malchower SV.  TSG Neustrelitz are currently fourth in the 16-team Oberliga NOFV-Nord, in the fifth division of German football, and Kyle has been a regular contributor to the team’s winning record, playing over 1600 minutes so far this season and scoring four goals.

In part 1 of our two-part interview, Kyle will share with Bundesliga Fanatic readers his career up to signing with Neustrelitz.  In the second part, Kyle will recount his experiences living in Germany and playing in the Oberliga NOFV -Nord.