COMMERCE CITY — Thomas Piermayr grew up in Austria not far from some of the world’s best skiing and, like most Austrian youth, he gave ski racing a try.
“It’s our national sport,” Piermayr said. “We’re famous for this.”
But when he was 13 or 14 he gave up skiing for soccer, which is not a sport for which Austria is famous. In fact, the Rapids’ newest defender is the only Austrian in Major League Soccer.
The Rapids signed him three weeks ago after a short trial. He made his debut April 5, playing the full 90 minutes at Vancouver. The Rapids came home after the game, but his odyssey was just beginning. He could not play in the U.S. without getting a work visa, so he flew 5,300 miles from Vancouver to Vienna, spent about five minutes at the U.S. embassy getting his visa, then flew 4,300 miles to meet the team in Toronto, where he played the full match April 12.
“It was not the best preparation for a game,” Piermayr said. “There was no need to say, ‘I’m a little bit tired.’ I want to play, and I had the chance to play, even if I wasn’t training the whole week.”
Piermayr has played professionally in Austria, Scotland and Norway. Somehow, he learned English playing the 2011-12 season in Scotland, where brogues can be nearly indecipherable.
“It was difficult to learn for me,” said Piermayr, 24. “It’s hard to understand them, but I had to learn it. I’m still learning.”
Now coach Pablo Mastroeni has some interesting decisions to make. Left back Chris Klute, who injured a hamstring in the season opener at New York, missed the next four games but returned to the lineup last week and played the full 90 minutes in a 0-0 draw with San Jose. Marc Burch played well filling in for Klute. Longtime regular Marvell Wynne missed the fourth game with a red card suspension but hasn’t returned to the lineup since. Shane O’Neill has been playing in Wynne’s center back spot next to captain Drew Moor.
In short, six guys have played well in those four back line positions, and they’re all available now.
“It creates a lot of good competition,” technical director Paul Bravo said.
Klute was thrilled to get back on the field after the Rapids went 3-1 without him.
“It was tough being out. We were getting good results without me,” Klute said. “I was happy for the team. The goal is bigger than me, so it was fine. Getting back in was really good. It felt good being back with the guys.”
Piermayr has been playing right back for the Rapids, but he can play center back and midfield as well.
“I think I am, how do you call it, versatile?” Piermayr said.
Bravo likes the way Piermayr fits what the Rapids want in a right back.
“He’s a disciplined young man. He understands the role: defending first, keeping shape, understanding, staying concentrated for 90 minutes,” Bravo said. “He certainly provides that. And what we’re starting to see, as he gets more and more comfortable, he’s got something going forward as well.”
John Meyer: 303-954-1616, jmeyer@denverpost.com or twitter.com/johnmeyer
Piermayr’s long journey
5,300 miles
Austrian Thomas Piermayr flew from Vancouver to Vienna to get a U.S. work visa.
4,300 miles
He then flew from Vienna to Toronto to meet the team for a game. He played the full 90 minutes.
