Journey Home - Marco Milanese and Federico Serra

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AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron men's soccer program has been a melting pot of cultures since head coach Jared Embick joined the program in 2007 as an assistant coach, before later assuming the reigns of head coach in 2013.

Entering the 2020 campaign, the Akron men's soccer roster is highlighted by players from 10 countries, including Brazil, Canada, Egypt, Ethiopia, Italy, Ireland, Nigeria, Portugal, Spain and the United States, while this past fall, 15 unique countries were represented on the Zips' squad.

"I feel blessed to have been able to coach players from many different countries and cultures throughout the world," Embick commented. "We have had many players across the USA and internationally be drawn to our program because of our success. Although It can challenging to navigate some of the differences in culture when you are attempting to put a team together that is cohesive with great chemistry to win on the field, the ability to learn about other cultures and to have a better world view has made everyone in our program a better more well-rounded person."

The mix of cultures has been a point of pride for the program and these student-athletes have contributed greatly to the Zips' successes over the years, but with the recent developments in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic a challenge arose to ensure that all of the program's student-athletes were able to safely return to their families around the world.

"We immediately thought about how we could best assist our student athletes," said Embick. "How could we inform them the best we could about what is going on and help ease any uncertainties about the situation, especially for our international student-athletes."

"We then asked our student-athletes to speak with their parents and see what they thought about the situation in their home country or city in the United States. While they did that, we gathered information about what we could provide them from a resource standpoint, things like housing, food and internet since their classes are to continue online. We then reached out and spoke with the players and made a decision that would be best for them during this time."

Despite all the planning as a coach, there remained a concern by Embick and his staff for the student-athletes' welfare as they returned to their families.

"I think with all of our European players there was concern with them going back, especially in our case of our two Italians and Spanish player," explained Embick. "You wondered if you were putting them in harm's way by sending them home. If they do go home when would they be allowed back and when they get back would they be under quarantine. In the end, with the anxiety of the situation and uncertainty, the families and our staff agreed that it is more important to be with family at this time."

The forefront of the crisis has been in Italy, which is home to Akron juniors Marco Milanese (Isernia, Italy) and Federico Serra (Cagliari, Italy).

Milanese, a two-year starter for the Zips, started all 16 matches he appeared in for Akron this past season, registering a goal on 14 shots, including six on frame, while Serra recorded an assist on the strength of five shots in his first season as a Zip.

The Akron duo scrambled to find a flight home amid a sea of cancellations and delays before departing Cleveland on March 16 and flying through New York City before eventually landing at Fiumicino International Airport in Rome.

"These past two weeks have been crazy and the journey coming back was as well," said Milanese. "Every flight was cancelled going to Europe, except mine and Federico's."

Landing in Rome only presented part of the journey as Milanese then had to travel back to his home in Isernia, the capital of the southern Italian province of Molise, alone because his parents couldn't leave their home.

Serra had his own travel challenges as he flew to Cagliari, which is the capital city of the island of Sardinia. In order to be allowed to enter his region under quarantine, Serra's parents had to request permission from the city via email in order to be able to enter in by flight, something that was thankfully granted.

The desire to be home with their families is what drove Milanese and Serra to travel back to Italy.

"Even if the situation was worse here, I felt I needed to come back and stay with my family in these unpredictable times," said Milanese. "My family and I are doing well. Luckily, my region has had just a few cases of coronavirus cases, but I have to stay quarantined with my parents."

"Being with my family right now was the best thing to do," said Serra. "I love them, and I feel safe here."

"We were relieved to know that after the travel our student-athletes did not become sick and they can start a safe and healthy routine at home," Embick explained. "Since they have been home, we have been in regular contact and been happy to hear that they are doing well and staying safe."

Life in quarantine has been about trying to maintain a routine for Milanese.

"My life in quarantine is still focused on my goals academically, but also athletically," said Milanese. "In the morning I watch videos and workout, while in the afternoon I study."

While Milanese laments the loss of spring practice and matches for his squad, he realizes there are much more important parts of our daily lives that must take precedence during these times.

"I was very sad when I knew we couldn't continue practice until the end of the spring, but at the same time, I knew that is was the best choice to do in order to contain the spreading of the virus."

Being a Zip has been something that has driven Milanese and Serra throughout the past two weeks.

"Here in Italy the situation is almost like a movie," said Milanese. "Being a Zip though has taught me to be tough even in the darkest periods of life. For this reason, I know that the entire Zips' community will Rise Together."

"Being a Zip during this time is really important, maybe more than when we are on campus," said Serra. "I feel the help and affection from the University and from my mates, which are my second family."

"I believe one of the strengths of the University and our program is the sense of community and family," stated Embick. "It is important to student athletes, coaches, professors, co-workers and administrators to know that we will be there for each other. The best thing we can do for each other is to support each other, even if it's from a distance. In the end, I think we are all looking forward to the day we can come back together on campus and move forward from this situation. Go Zips!"

With continued scientific research and developments from the brilliant medical minds around the world to contain the spread of this pandemic, Milanese and Serra are looking forward to an opportunity to open their 2020 campaign.

The University of Akron Athletics

Journey Home - Marco Milanese and Federico Serra

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