Episode 47: Shark Bites, Selling Danish Fish And Playing For Landon Donovan: a chat w/ Chase Boone

Episode 47: Shark Bites, Selling Danish Fish And Playing For Landon Donovan: a chat w/ Chase Boone

Welcome to the 47th episode of the In The 11 Podcast! Today, joining us is San Diego Loyal SC’s forward, Chase Boone. While he did not go into a D1 school, he proved that it takes personal work to build your career and become a professional player. In this episode, Chase looks back into how he got started in his soccer career and his experiences along the way. As always, there is a lot to unpack, so stay tuned and enjoy!

Getting Back in the Game

Every player’s misery is having an injury. It is a domino effect from there – surgeries, rehabilitation, pain – and there is the possibility of not playing ever again. Chase had his share of experience getting injured. It happened at the end of training in Denmark. Chase was pinning the center back and took a touch with his left foot to shoot. When Chase planted his foot, the other player stepped on his foot. Chase rotated his body, but his lower leg was stationary, resulting in a blown knee. His patellar tendon got torn, and his kneecap was up on his thigh. Because of the injury, Chase could not continue playing for the team and had to undergo a series of surgeries.

Chase had been in a straight leg brace for three months, got the wire taken out, and started rehabilitation after another three months. Unfortunately, his leg lost as much muscle mass as Chase described it looking like a twig, which got him very emotional. His dad went to Denmark to assist him and eventually flew him back home to the US. Despite suffering from the pain and going through recovery, Chase was lucky he did not miss out much on the games since the pandemic hit. It was a good thing he got back to his feet to try out for the San Diego Loyal SC. The injury was a thing in the past but served as a reminder for Chase to rise every time he falls.

About Chase Boone:

Chase Boone joined SD Loyal 13 games into the 2021 season after signing July 24. Boone, 25, is from Beaverton, Oregon, and played college soccer at the University of Redlands. He is coming off a stint with Thisted FC in Denmark. Boone is a versatile attacker who is two-footed and good in the air. He impressed the coaching staff during a trial period. He made his SD Loyal debut the same day the club announced his signing, coming on as a sub against Phoenix Rising FC.

Outline of the Episode:

[0:01:35] Started at junior year in high school playing soccer

[0:04:26] Desire to be on the national team

[0:08:34] D1 does not equate to becoming a pro; personal work does

[0:13:19] An overview of the trials Chase went to and going overseas

[0:20:54] How to rise above difficulties in trials

[0:24:24] Chase’s experience in Scotland and how he ended up in Denmark

[0:33:25] Job hunting out of need

[0:38:03] What was it like living alone in a foreign country for trials

[0:40:56] The not-so-easy experience in Denmark dealing with an injury

[0:47:09] Rehabilitation in Denmark and coming back to the US

[0:54:05] Recovery and bouncing back from injury during the pandemic

[1:02:25] Smooth trial for San Diego and playing for Landon Donovan

[1:06:42] What comes next for Chase after wrapping up the season