'Can't wait to get playing again': One-on-one with Pacific FC midfielder Matthew Baldisimo
On injuries, joining the Philippines' men's national team, and his "Jordan year"
Matthew Baldisimo wasn’t expecting his year to start like this. At twenty-three years old, in his third season with Pacific FC and riding the wave of an impressive Island Games performance in which he rarely left the pitch,1 there were thoughts—expectations—that 2021 might be his moment in the spotlight.
It certainly began that way. After turning himself into one of the Canadian Premier League’s most reliable defensive midfielders, the Burnaby, British Columbia native had earned a call-up to the Philippines senior men’s national team for a slate of three 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. And then injury struck. And paperwork issues kept him off the international stage. Between flying to Dubai, then joining PFC in Winnipeg, he spent more time in quarantine than on a soccer field.
“I’ve been in two different bubbles. I was away from home for, like, two-and-a-half, three months without playing in actual games,” says Baldisimo. “I just can’t wait to get playing again.”
Baldisimo’s on-field moments have been brief for Pacific FC in 2021: two appearances, and a combined 44 minutes of playing time. But with over half the season remaining, there’s hope—and time—for things to turn around.
And despite the strong play of PFC in Baldisimo’s absence,2 there’s no mistake—the club is better when he’s healthy. Outside of Thomas Meilleur-Giguère and Lukas MacNaughton, no player on Pacific saw a greater share of passes in 2020 than the former Burnaby Selects player.
“He’s special; he has something in him,” said Pacific FC captain Jamar Dixon, Baldisimo’s midfield partner. “You’ve just gotta keep pushing him to get it out and see how far he can take it.”
I spoke with Baldisimo about the frustrations of injury, joining the Philippines men’s national team, and motivation to get back on the pitch in his “Jordan year.”
This interview has been lightly condensed.
Important questions first: who was first with the bleached hair—you or Lukas MacNaughton?
MB: It was Lukas. [But] I think I [do it better], just because I have shorter hair. I think it looks better on shorter hair.
Back in May, you were called up to the Philippines senior men’s national team. You were going to join the camp for training in Qatar, then head to China for three games.3 How did that all go?
MB: I went into the camp thinking, here’s my chance to represent my parents’ country, and then a few hours before the game, I got notified that I’m actually not registered under FIFA rules. I wasn’t allowed to play. [That was] right before the first game. There was something, like, FIFA didn’t approve of my switch from Canada to the Philippines in time.4 Funny enough, two days after I left the camp, I got an email from FIFA saying I’m approved and eligible to play for the Philippines now.
[The whole series of games] got shuffled around. We were supposed to play Guam first, but then everything got shuffled, because none of the teams could get into China. So then they moved the venue out to Dubai. We ended up flying to Dubai and playing China first. It’s just unfortunate that I wasn’t registered to play, but it was still a great experience getting to meet the guys, see how the national team operates, and [see] what it’s like playing with players who’ve played in completely different parts of the world than I have.
Did you get to take part in the training camp?
MB: Yeah, we still trained. It was a little bit longer than eleven days, just because of the uncertainty of where we were going [to play]. It was probably fourteen, fifteen days. Once we found out it was in Dubai, we headed over there, and I trained for a few more days, and then my Achilles started acting up again, so I left the camp a little bit earlier.
What was that experience like, being around a senior men’s national program?
MB: Honestly, it was surprising the quality that the players possessed. And we didn’t even have the strongest men’s team that could’ve been there. A lot of players were just getting their passports or just declaring their switch over to play for the Philippines.5 I think if I went to the camp with our strongest men’s team, I would’ve been [blown away] by how much quality we actually had.
It’s been a different start to the season for you—from the Philippines camp, to the Winnipeg bubble, and self-isolation protocols. I’m sure you’re looking forward to getting on the pitch. What has 2021 been like?
MB: Honestly, it’s been frustrating—just because of what happened at the [Philippines] camp, and then I got injured, and I went to the [Winnipeg] bubble and couldn’t play again. I’ve been in two different bubbles. I was away from home for, like, two-and-a-half, three months without playing in actual games.
“I’ve been in two different bubbles. I was away from home for, like, two-and-a-half, three months without playing in actual games.”
So it was frustrating in that sense. I always said, I’m turning 23, this is my [Michael] Jordan year. I just can’t wait to get playing again.
How have you maintained focus during this time? Has there been anyone around who’s helped you keep perspective or stay motivated to get back on the pitch?
MB: In bad times, it’s my younger brother, Mike. I watch every single game that he plays [for the Vancouver Whitecaps], and I’m like, wow. That’s the level I want to be at. That extra motivation’s just like, okay, how can I do my rehab today so I can be better tomorrow and get to the level he’s at? Because he’s balling right now. I’m a proud older brother, just watching him ball out in the MLS.
What’s your relationship like as brothers? Are you dissecting each other’s performances after games?
MB: We always talk after the game. I think he goes more into the tactical side with my older brother [Mark], just because my older brother was a coach. I’ll talk more [about] the human, football side—the emotions of the game, what was going on. But we always end up talking.
I just watch him and get excited. He’s always played with no fear. And that’s something I kind of struggled with earlier on in my career: playing with that anxiety before a game. He’s never had that. So now, when I’m feeling a little bit anxious just because I’m not playing, or I’m seeing someone who’s played pretty well, I just [remind myself], no fear, nothing to lose. When I’m back, I just have to ball.
You’re into your third season with Pacific—your second under Pa-Modou Kah. You’ve seen this team take shape and develop from year one to year three. What do you make of the talent around you now?
MB: Honestly, I think the biggest thing in terms of growth is the maturity of the group. We always talk about it as players, like, “wow, we were so young,” making these stupid mistakes in games, doing this, doing that. And I think everybody now, especially under Pa, is taking it a lot more seriously—realizing that this is a job, and we need to do everything we can to get better as players and further our careers.
If you were to look back at yourself as a first-year player to now, what’s been the biggest change in your approach to the game?
MB: I think it’s more the mental side and off-field stuff. Because in my first year, I felt like I was really, really entitled. I thought I was big-time, you know? [Laughs] I hate to be talking about myself in that time, but I’d say I thought I was the big boss, and I could do whatever I want.
“In my first year, I felt like I was really, really entitled … I think having Pa [as coach] has really humbled me [and] helped me mature with the game.”
I think having Pa [as coach] has really humbled me [and] helped me mature with the game—shrugging off those little details [that used to feel bigger]. Especially now, I’m realizing how important it is to take care of my body off the field as well.
This year and last year, you’ve been able to spend time in the midfield with a veteran in Jamar Dixon. What has it been like sharing the midfield with him?
MB: He always tells me, “just do your thing and play your game.” You’re always going to hear things from the sidelines [and] from other players on the field, but the thing that got me to where I am is playing the way I play—and that’s what he’s always told me. So putting that confidence in me helped me to help him, because with me and him, he would rely on me to give him directions if I’m behind him: “Jamar, go left,” or “Jamar, go right.” Every time I tell him, he just does his job.
“I always told [Baldi] when I’d play with him, ‘if you’re not yelling at me left and right, we’re going to have problems.’” - Jamar Dixon
In some respects, you could be looked at as a veteran now yourself—sharing a locker room with guys like Sean [Young], who’s just starting his pro career, or Chris Lee. How comfortable are you in that role?
MB: It makes me feel good. Because sometimes, some younger players—especially Sean—will come up to me and ask how to deal with certain situations. And I feel proud of myself: I’ve been playing the pro game for seven or eight years already, and I feel like these guys actually listen and respect how I can help them. It makes me proud knowing that they’re comfortable enough coming up to me and asking for advice.
What do you make of Sean’s game?
MB: He’s like my brother—he plays with no fear. I think we saw that in the first year. He was thrown into games where those were his first meaningful minutes, and he was playing against [teams like] Forge—champions—and he held his own. He just went about his business. And I think seeing that, and how he was when he first came in on trial, it’s good to see him grow from the first year to now.
Looking back to 2019 and the different hats you had to wear on the pitch—whether it was playing as centre-back, midfielder, or up on the wing—it feels like you’ve found your role as a No. 6 [holding midfielder]. What does that role allow you to do?
MB: I think that role really brings out the strengths I have in terms of ball-winning and building attacks. I wouldn’t see myself as a finisher, so anywhere higher than a No. 8 [box-to-box midfielder] role, I don’t think I’d be really suited—though I did play second striker one game against York in my first year, and winger against Halifax.
Honestly, I’m comfortable playing anywhere. As long as I’m on the field helping my team, [I’m good]. Because my whole youth career, I played centre-back, and then my first couple years in pro, I was playing right-back and centre-back. As long as I’m playing, I’m happy.
Looking at what remains of the season, what goals do you have for yourself?
MB: I think this year, I’m really trying to focus on being a good teammate. If I’m not playing, I’m cheering on the guy that’s playing in my place. And in training, I’m pushing him to play better, so that I’ll play my best. We’re always competing with each other, but at the end of the day, we’re always supporting each other. I think that’s huge if the collective goal is to win a championship. Because that’s all that’s on my mind right now.
Note: For The Isle will return in the last week of August. I’m taking some vacation time in the meantime. Thanks for reading!
In 10 appearances, Baldisimo played in 875 of a possible 900 minutes during Pacific FC’s run at the 2020 Island Games.
Alessandro Hojabrpour, in particular, has slotted into the Starting XI quite seamlessly. In Pacific’s wins over Cavalry FC and Valour FC, the 21-year-old was among the club’s strongest performers.
Philippines played China (June 7), Guam (June 11), and the Maldives (June 15) in FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers.
Prior to accepting the invitation from the Philippines men’s national team, Baldisimo had represented Canada four times at the U-17 level, scoring once.
Philippines men’s national team players with dual nationalities on the squad list for the World Cup 2022 qualifiers: GK Bernd Schipmann (Germany), GK Kevin Ray Mendoza (Denmark), GK Quincy Kammeraad (Netherlands), DF Justin Baas (Netherlands), DF Carli de Murga (Spain), DF Alvaro Silva (Spain), DF Michael Kempter (Switzerland), DF Jefferson Tabinas (Japan), DF Luke Woodland (England), DF Martin Steuble (Switzerland), MF Oliver Bias (Germany), MF Kenshiro Daniels (United States), MF Manuel Ott (Germany), MF Mike Ott (Germany), MF Stephan Schröck (Germany), MF Patrick Reichelt (Germany), MF Mark Winhoffer (United States), FW Mark Hartmann (England), FW Angel Guirado (Spain).
Can’t wait for him to be back. We will be starting to look deep once he and TMG are healthy.