The newfangled spectacle of the Westfield FFA Cup has the capacity to produce new narratives seldom seen in Australian football: the clash of “old soccer vs. new football”; the former professional enjoying the twilight of his career; fringe A-League players in the professional shop window; and players and coaches with a point to prove after being overlooked at a higher level.
The plight of Hume City attacker Marcus Schroen falls into the latter category, albeit via a series of lengthy setbacks.
Just a year ago the former Melbourne Heart youth player was at the crossroads of his career after suffering a second serious injury at the tender age of 21.
Following a senior debut for South Melbourne as a fresh-faced 17-year-old in 2010, Schroen spent time in the Netherlands at Den Bosch, before an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee cut short his spell in Europe.
He then spent the 2013-14 season at Melbourne Heart’s youth team, where he finished the National Youth League campaign as the side’s top scorer.
Despite his good form, he was not considered for first team action and was subsequently released by the club.
Schroen signed for Dandenong Thunder ahead of the inaugural NPL season, but a bright start to his Thunder career was cut short when the former Box Hill and Monash City junior suffered an ACL tear to his left knee, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
“2014 did not work out for me on a personal front, as despite a good start at Thunder, the ACL forced me to undergo my second knee reconstruction,” Schroen says.
With the lengthy injury the latest in a series of setbacks, Schroen may have been forgiven for being demoralised by such an experience.
However, an extensive – and at times grueling – rehabilitation process saw the business student complete a full and relatively quick recovery, making an on-field comeback just over six months later.
“At that point I had a lot of time to think and there were definitely one or two moments where you question everything, but I really didn’t know what else I would do and I love the game way too much to have given it away,” he says.
“It was definitely a difficult time where I had to work very hard to get back onto the pitch, but I was lucky to have some really good support around me including my family to help me get through it and for which I am really thankful for.”
The boyhood Arsenal fan then took his first steps towards an on-field comeback by joining Hume City in late 2014, citing a number of factors behind his move.
“I knew Hume played a good brand of football and were a strong team and for me this was important.” he says.
“I wanted to join a team that suited the way I liked to play, but one which could also challenge for the title, something we were close to doing this season.”
“Around the team they have a really good set up with great support staff and the coaches have been great, plus the facilities are one of if not the best in the league.”
Schroen has not looked back since joining Louie Acevski’s side, scoring seven goals in 27 appearances in an impressive season for player and club alike.
Crucial strikes against Brisbane Strikers and Sydney Olympic in the Rounds of 32 and 16 of the FFA Cup respectively also saw Schroen become one of the shining lights of the second edition of the competition.
“Coming back from the injury it was great just to be playing every week without any troubles,” he says.
“I have really enjoyed playing and being able to contribute to the team throughout the season.”
“The second half of the year has gone quite well and I’ll just look to continue to do the same things I have been doing and contribute to the team as much as I can.
“Whether that’s scoring goals or helping the back four, I’m happy to contribute however I can to make sure we make the final four.”
Preparations ahead of Tuesday night’s blockbuster against Oakleigh Cannons are in full swing at ABD Stadium, with an opportunity for Hume to match Bentleigh Greens’ semi-final feat of last year.
The confident City were seconds away from a beating A-League champions Melbourne Victory in a tune-up friendly before the clash.
Standing in Hume’s way is a Cannons’ side that triumphed in a Dockerty Cup semi-final clash between the two, though City were unbeaten against Arthur Papas’ men in the league.
“The preparations are going really well as we’ve had a good run of games in the finals of the NPL and the game against Victory, but since then we have had some time to rest, freshen up and work on some things that we will take into the Oakleigh game,” he says.
“The squad is buzzing and excited for Tuesday night, we know it’s a massive opportunity and we’re looking forward to it.”
“It might sound like a cliché but no game in this competition is easy and Oakleigh have done very well to get to the final eight as well.
“Although we had a good record against them in the league, they did knock us out of the Dockerty Cup semi-final, so you could say we might owe them one back and we’re feeling more confident that can get the job done considering the fact that we’re playing on home soil in front of our fans.”
One of those fans will be older brother Alex, himself earning plaudits at Box Hill United while being an important supporter of the Hume City attacker over the years of struggle.
“Alex has been great, we’ve grown up with each other and it’s helped a lot to have an older brother there all the time who was always up for a challenge and to have a kick or two,” he says.
While Marcus is content at Hume City for the time being, he has not given up on his ambitions to play professionally and believes that the FFA Cup is the perfect platform for NPL players to be noticed.
“My goal is to play at the highest level possible but the next step is definitely a professional contract in the A-league,” he says.
“That’s why the FFA Cup has been great for all of us players.
“It gives us a chance to play against the best teams in Australia in front of larger audiences and provides us with the opportunity to put the club and yourself on the map.”
Come Tuesday night, Schroen will be raring to put in another dazzling performance to guide Hume City into the semi-finals of the competition.
His story epitomises the setbacks faced by many talented young footballers in the country, who through injuries or lack of opportunity have had to force their way back into the national spotlight via the federation states.