Mo Thiaw's journey from Senegal to the United States

Senegal native Mo Thiaw shares his journey to the U.S. and his predictions for Group H of the FIFA World Cup

By San Jose Earthquakes

June 18^th, 2018

"Hopefully one day I’ll be able to be in their shoes and represent the country well, too.”

For the first time since 2002, Senegal will play in the FIFA World Cup. Quakes striker Mo Thiaw, who hails from Senegal, is hoping that The Lions of Teranga replicate their cinderella run to the tournament's 2002 quarterfinal. In this sit-down interview, we talk to Thiaw about growing up in Senegal, his journey to the United States and how he thinks his country will perform in Russia.

SJEarthquakes.com: Your family is originally from Senegal, talk to me about your life there, what was it like?

Mo Thiaw: "It was great there, I grew up in Senegal, I lived there for 15 years. My dad left to come to the United States when I was three years old. I spent my whole life there with my mom and older sisters, and then my little brother was born in 2008. It was a great life there."

SJEQ: What was it like to immigrate with your family to the United States?

MT: "I’m here with my dad and my older sister. My little brother and my mom are still in Senegal. It was pretty tough at first, not knowing the language and not having any friends here. It was very hard for me to adapt to the social life here, but I’m glad I’m here now and I’m speaking English very well now and I’ve made some new friends."

Mo Thiaw's journey from Senegal to the United States

SJEQ: Do you think that soccer helped your transition from living in Senegal to living in the U.S.?

MT: "It made it very easy. At first I came in high school not knowing any English, but I could play soccer with some people and that kind of helped me get used to living in the states and enjoy it more."

SJEQ: How does it feel to see Senegal qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2002?

MT: "It’s great to be back, you know a lot of people were disappointed in the team for not being in the World Cup these past years, but we’re glad they’re back in the World Cup. The last time they were in it they had a long run, they made it to the Quarter Finals and we’re hoping for the same and even better this year."

SJEQ: There’s tons of talent on the team, you’ve got Mané coming off a successful season with Liverpool and Napoli defender Koulibaly. Are there any players you really admire and look up to?

MT: "Mané is one of them, as well as Keita Balde and Moussa Sow. There’s a lot of good players on the team that I really look up to, and they represent Senegal very well. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to be in their shoes and represent the country well, too."

SJEQ: Senegal is grouped with Poland, Colombia and Japan. Who are you most excited to watch them match up against in the group stages?

MT: "I think Colombia and Poland, they have very good strikers on their teams, and I’m excited to see how they deal with their strikers. Hopefully we get wins against those two teams. Those are the teams that I’m kind of scared of, but I know we have a great team and hopefully we can get past those teams and be top of the table and advance."

SJEQ: Cisse was the captain of the 2002 team, and has now led Senegal to a second World Cup as the team’s coach. How do you think his past World Cup experience will benefit the team?

MT: "He was on that great team in 2002 that made it to the final of the African Cup Nation, and Quarter finals of the World Cup. He’s been in that situation and I think he’s a great person to show the guys what it’s been like because he’s experienced it all. He’ll be a good example for all of the players and he can guide them through how to prepare, and what they should expect of the competition."

Button Label