Second chances don't come along very often, Sacir Hot knows that.
When they do, especially in the uncertain world of an out-of-contract soccer player, it's important to grasp whatever is granted. Now in Sporting Kansas City's preseason camp following a surprise release from his boyhood club New York Red Bulls, Hot is looking to earn a contract--and possibly more--after his first stop in the professional game didn't pan out the way he envisioned.
"Just to play, only that," Hot said when asked about his hopes for his potential spell in Sporting Blue. "Just getting my debut and playing. I've heard and seen pictures of the fans and the stadium, it's unreal. It's all I want.
Hot is not your typical candidate for release by an MLS club; just removed from his teenage years, youth international and most importantly, Home Grown. Still, that didn't stop the Red Bulls from deeming Hot surplus to requirements when they waived the promising centerback along with Home Grown midfielder Matt Kassel just over a week ago.
"To be let go like that, Matt and I, it hurts. For the first two days, I was very, very sad. Very depressed. It was devastating." Hot said.
Little did Hot know at the time however that there was at least one manager of another Eastern Conference team that greeted the news of his release with a pinch of delight. Peter Vermes rated the talents of young defender, and sought to bring Hot into Sporting Kansas City's camp in Orlando right away.
"They told me they were happy to see me here," Hot told SportingKC.com.
"It feels good to be welcomed in a place, you know? It feels good to be wanted, that's something I haven't always had."
Born and raised in New Jersey to Montenegrin parents, Hot was part of the United States squad that won the 2010 Milk Cup in Ireland as well as the Under-20 team that participated in the 2011 CONCACAF championships. Vermes had the chance to monitor Hot's progress from the Red Bulls academy, to Boston College where Hot spent one season and eventually through the national team system. In December, the Sporting Kansas City manager finally had the chance to work with the defender up close.
Vermes and his staff were tabbed to lead the Generation adidas tour of the Netherlands, and Hot would be attending.
"We had a good camp," Hot recalled. "I played well over there and they heard about my situation in New York, and they wanted to trade for me. It didn't happen, so Peter told my agent that if anything ever happens to me, he wanted to know know right away."
Something did indeed happen, so when Hot was waived on Feb. 17, it was Vermes who moved first. It's a chance that Hot wasn't necessarily anticipating even a week ago, but the 20-year-old remains aware that a strong final week could lead to more opportunities. That's how this game works, especially with Vermes.
"He's a hard-nosed kind of guy. He likes everything perfect. Every play, every pass means something, that's something I picked up right away." Hot said.
As for what type of player those watching can expect, Hot says a more cerebral approach to the normally-rugged centerback position has got him to where he is now.
"I'm very calm in stressful situations. I think I read the game, and know the game well enough to get by. I never really was too athletic my whole life, so I had to make up for that by knowing the game, reading the game."
Though Hot is the unsigned defender in camp with the most impressive pedigree, he'll need to call upon all his tools to turn the heads of the technical staff at such a late stage of preseason. The clock is ticking on this second chance.
