The Etihad Player of the Month for March is ready to showdown with DC United.
Alexander Callens has enjoyed a dream start to life at NYCFC after joining the club from Numancia in the offseason.
The Peruvian defender has struck up a formidable partnership with Maxime Chanot at the heart of the back four, limiting opponents to less clear chances than ever before.
This new-look backline earned a clean sheet last time it faced off with Ben Olsen’s side in March but Alexander knows that he, Maxime and the rest of the XI will have to bring their A-games once again on Saturday.
Callens told NYCFC.com: “I’m feeling really great, I’m feeling a lot more calm. I feel like the team supports me and wants the best from me.
“Our goals are clear, we know what we want. The important thing is to go out and work hard.
“The best thing is growing with the game and little by little I’ll get better with training. Me and Maxime understand each other and are becoming more synchronized every time.
“DC United are going to give their all. We have to be really focused because they’re going to take advantage of any mistake.”
This excellent form which saw Alexander take the Etihad Player of the Month award with more than 51% of the vote has helped his team to joint-top of the Eastern Conference at this early stage in the campaign.
Callens is grateful for the support and is using it as motivation to keep improving.
“Thanks so much to the fans for voting for me,” he said. “It means a lot to me because the fans are giving me their confidence and support and this is what a footballer always wants – for the fans to support them.
“This will serve as motivation to keep working, to keep giving it my all on the field.”
Speaking of motivation, it’s now been two and a half years since Callens last represented his nation.
A 2-1 win over Paraguay in October 2014 was the last time Alexander pulled on the Peruvian National Team jersey and he’s hoping that more great performances for NYCFC will catch Head Coach Ricardo Gareca’s eye.
“Like any football player, I would love to represent my country but sometimes you can’t and those are the decisions the coaches make,” Callens reflected.
“They know what they’re doing. But I would love to represent my country.
“I would love to see more Peruvians here. If there are more Peruvians in the MLS, the more football will grow.”
