Finland native joins URI soccer team thousands of miles from homeland

11/07/08 - Finland native and University of Rhode Island men's soccer rookie Erkko Puranen is adjusting to American life just fine, even though he says things are vastly different in the United States- so different that even the sport he plays is known as something else back home. "It's football," Puranen said. "I think they only call it soccer here and in Canada, it's weird, but I call it real football."

Puranen is a freshman on the men's soccer team, where he leads the team in multiple categories, including points (14) and goals (seven).

One week ago he was named Atlantic 10 soccer rookie of the week following another two-goal performance where URI salvaged a 2-2 tie with the Richmond Spiders.

He began his soccer career playing on an actual team when he was seven years old at home in Finland.

"To be honest, I don't know how I started," he said. "You should ask my mom or dad, I was so young."

Puranen's parents live back at home in Viitasaari, Finland with his three younger sisters Elina, Pauliina and Ella.

Puranen recently completed a yearlong mandatory service for the Finnish National Military prior to coming to the United States to play for URI.

"At the time the military wasn't my thing," he said. "It felt like the service was an eternity, but afterwards, I'm happy I did it. And I think was a great experience."

Now he is in an entirely new atmosphere, some 3,940 miles from home.

Puranen was recruited by multiple schools in the United States, but said he eventually decided that the University of Rhode Island was right for him.

"I got a lot of e-mails from different coaches and the first concrete option was the University of Pittsburgh," he said.

His decision eventually came down to Pittsburgh and Rhode Island. He said he chose Rhode Island because the price was right and he liked everything he heard about the program.

Since arriving, Puranen has helped win multiple games for the Rams. His first two collegiate goals pushed Rhode Island past the University of Albany on September 12th. He netted the overtime game winner just five days later against Harvard University, and added a double overtime score on September 28th to take down the University of Hartford.

Puranen downplayed those statistics and said he just tries to focus on playing his game and doing his job on the field.

His aforementioned 14 points and seven assists are good for eighth and fifth in the league respectively, and those statistics lead all other A-10 freshmen.

Despite the success, Puranen said the game is played much differently in the United States than it is at home in Finland.

"It took a while to get used to," he said. "The style is very different here. It's a lot more physical and the pace is a lot faster compared to in Finland, where the style of play is more technical."

In Finland, Puranen was able to play games for two Finnish professional teams: Turun Palloseura and FC Haka.

"That was one of my greatest achievements," he said.

When the chance to come to America arose, Puranen was ready.

"I thought it would be a great opportunity to see America and at the same time be able to play the sport that I love and of course get an education," he said.

So far Puranen has enjoyed living here. Surprisingly enough, he said the people are nicer and more outgoing here than they are at home.

"I have met a lot of great people here," he said. "My teammates have made the transition a lot easier."

Still, Puranen said he misses seeing his family and friends on a daily basis.

"That's probably the only bad thing about being here," he said.

When he isn't on the field for practice or a game, Puranen admits his hard work often wears him down.

"I'm always too tired to do anything besides school work after a practice or a game," he said. "But I like to hang out with my friends and listen to music. Music is very important thing for me."

He likes rock music and said his favorite bands are Porcupine Tree and Incubus.

He is currently undecided about what he wants to major in but said he hopes to work in a sports related career.

"My dream is to be working in the midst of football [soccer]," Puranen said.

As for the rest of this soccer season, Puranen said he hopes and expects his team to win the next two games and qualify for the A-10 tournament.

"That has been our goal all season," he said.

URI will host the University of Charlotte today at 7 p.m.