Hudson River Blue spoke with New York City FC right-back Mitja Ilenič at the club’s training facility in Rockland County, NY. The defender has made seven starts since joining NYCFC from NK Domzale in the Slovenian PrivLiga in the offseason. He likely would have made more starts, but the 18-year-old missed two games when he was called up to the Slovenian national youth team in March.
This interview was edited for clarity.
Hudson River Blue: You have two assists so far this season. Have you played this much of a role in the attack in the past?
Mitja Ilenič: When I was U-17 I started to be a right back. Before I was a winger, so this I think is my natural role — to go in front, you know, to try to make assists. Last season I scored three goals. It was not assists.
I’m just happy if I can help the team with assists or goals.
