Pierre

Photography by Carlo Rojas & Gabriel Bayona Sapag.

Back in 2017, Pierre Da Silva was named the number one player in USL’s 20-Under-20 list.

After a few stints with multiple clubs around the league, the 23-year-old forward is ready to round out a successful season with Miami FC. In our recent trip to ‘Magic City,’ we met up with Pierre to talk about his journey in USL, what it was like being the first breakthrough player from the Orlando City SC academy, his Brazilian roots, growing up with Pulisic and McKennie at IMG Academy, and his goals for the future.

Donning a fresh electric blue Miami FC top, black shorts, and a cracking smile, Pierre met us beach-side to welcome us to what’s been his home for the past year. 

“I miss the cold, man,” he says. 

Originally from New York, the heat, the humidity, and the palm trees are a far cry from what he experienced as a young kid in Port Chester. Still, despite the difference in settings, soccer has always been a constant in his life. 

“I have a lot of good memories playing as a kid up there in New York,” remembers Pierre. “I was in U-8, and I remember I scored two goals in one game, and there was a raffle at the end of the match. Since I scored two goals, they chose me to pull out the names from the bowl. I actually picked out my own name and won one of those fat, square TVs.”

Safe to say, from that moment on, Pierre knew soccer was the sport for him. Just a year after earning that first TV, at just 9 years old, he’d be headed down to Brazil to play for Santos. 

“That was a huge step for me. I moved there with my sister and my mom. My dad stayed in the U.S. to help us with the bills. I went from living in a house in New York to a studio in Brazil, so that was very different as a kid.”

Thankfully for Pierre, the transition wasn’t too hard since he spoke some Portuguese prior to moving to Brazil. But just as it happens for many of us who’ve moved to a different country, soccer was the universal language that helped Pierre transition to his new life. 

“I’d play at school with my classmates or in the streets with my neighbors. Over there, soccer is just the top sport, and there is a lot of talent and passion in that country. That really helped me adapt, and it also helped me grow as a player.”

Beyond playing soccer in the streets of Brazil, his development at Santos was probably the most pivotal moment of his blossoming career.

“That really gave me a headstart in terms of my pro career. It’s like you’re nine years old and you’re already competing for a spot. It’s cutthroat. And the youth coaches are amazing because they guide the players from the youth all the way up to the pros. It’s much different to the U.S. in that sense, and I think getting to experience that was so important.”

During his time at Santos, his favorite memory is one that many eleven-year-olds only dream of having. 

“I’ll never forget winning the Volkswagen Cup at the Morumbi in Sao Paulo. We played the final against them, and it was the first time I played in a big stadium -- and a legendary one at that. I was just eleven, but that really showed me that soccer is what I wanted to do with my life.”

Upon returning from Brazil to complete high school in the United States, Pierre was certain he needed to keep playing at the highest level for his age group if he wanted to make it to the pros. After one year playing in high school in New York, Pierre went to IMG Academy in Florida to prepare for the 2015 U-17 World Cup with the USMNT. 

“I was there for two years. It was all just train, go to school, eat, sleep, repeat — the same thing for two years straight. There would be 25 spots every semester, and at the end of the term, they would make cuts and bring new guys in. We were constantly competing and constantly being evaluated. If there’s a guy that’s better than you, they’re sending you home.”

“I think it helped me a lot to come back here and go to residency. At IMG Academy it was that same kind of pattern of competitiveness I’d seen in Brazil. But I think Brazilian players and youngsters from other countries have that type of development from even earlier than here. That fight and that competitiveness is in them since the very beginning, so in that sense, it’s different. But it was still so valuable to be there for my development.”

To be fair, though, Pierre’s class was one of the most talented and competitive in recent memory.

“We had a very talented group. I was with Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie since we were 14. We were all tiny,” remembers Pierre with a laugh. “They’re very nice guys, and we still talk until now. We did get to go to that World Cup together after all.”

The U-17 World Cup in Chile is one experience Pierre won’t forget, even if the team failed to make it out of their group. 

“I’d never had an experience like that in terms of hotels, buses, meals, and getting everything top class. The best thing was getting to experience all of that with the guys you’d grown up with for three years. It was amazing, even if we didn’t advance.”

Upon returning from the World Cup, Pierre signed a contract with Orlando City B, and he’d spend the 2016 season playing regularly in USL before even turning 18. 

“In the beginning, that transition was hard. I was young, so adapting to that intensity usually takes a few months, but soon that turns into your routine, and it’s your job to dedicate yourself and give 100% every training.”

While still playing in USL, Pierre was also lucky enough to train with the Orlando City first team -- and with Kaka -- which helped keep him motivated and focused.

“My first training with Kaka was all the way back in 2015. I was still in the academy, and I was just speechless. He’s a legend in Brazil, and playing with a guy with such a curriculum was just an honor. I would train with the first team during my time with the B team, and just getting to see a legend of the game week in and week out was incredible.”

After his first year with Orlando City B, Pierre was offered a contract with the first team.

“I was boosted up to the MLS team, and it was great to finally take that step. That year, I would alternate between the first and second team, which was crazy because USL and MLS are so different. USL is much more physical, and you have to grind for the result. In MLS, it’s more tactical. So having to switch between those two was difficult, but it helped me with my game too.”

At the end of that hectic 2017 season, Pierre was named the top player under 20 years old in USL. 

“It was humbling to get that award. I’d been working so hard since I was a kid, so all that dedication and all that sacrifice felt worth it. It was great to be recognized for that,” remembers Pierre. 

“At the time, I had had to decide whether to go to college or try my luck in the pros. I’d seen how fast everyone developed in Brazil, while here it felt like players would go to college and then make the pros at 23. Education is always important, but I knew I wanted to get to my dream as soon as possible, so having that rewarded and recognized was just awesome.”

The following years would see Pierre move multiple times within the league and out of the country as well. He was loaned to St. Louis FC in 2018, and he then spent a year at Atletico Paranaense in 2019 before returning to USL with Memphis 901. 

“Spending that year in Brazil again was cool, especially after having played there when I was much younger. I also could finally compare both countries at the pro level. There’s just so much exposure in soccer over there, and it just has that South American flair. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to stay there, but if it’s in my path to go back someday, I would love to.”

After playing a few games with Memphis 901 at the end of 2019 and spending 2020 mostly sidelined due to the pandemic, Pierre arrived at his current club, Miami FC, eager to live up to everything he’d accomplished as a teenager. 

“Those early years in your 20s are so important for development, and what you want to do the most is play and get minutes. But I guess it’s part of the game and life that sometimes coaches won’t like you or pandemics happen, and you just have to keep moving and working -- a chance will always come.”

So far, it seems Miami FC has been that chance for Pierre, who’s made 20 appearances in 2021 and contributed with two goals and four assists. This season, he’s been a vital part of an attack that’s led Miami FC to second place in the Eastern Conference Atlantic. 

“Everything is going how it’s supposed to go. And we’re all a family, to be honest. We pray together before every game, we’re always together off the field, and I think that helps all of us succeed. Right now, the goal is to make the playoffs and make a run at that championship, but we have to take everything step by step.”

While those might be near-term goals for Pierre, he still has lofty dreams he’d like to accomplish down the road. 

“I obviously want to play in Europe, but I feel like my story in MLS is not done yet. I still want to go back to MLS and play at least two more years there. Maybe when I’m 25-26, I can make a leap to Europe and see how it is because it’s just something I haven’t tried yet. I’ve done South America, I’ve done some of North America, and I’d love to get to play and experience Europe.”

For now, though -- even with all the humidity and heat -- Pierre is happy to be in Miami. 

“Look at the beaches, man, they’re night and day to what we’ve got up North. They’re the best to relax and get your head straight.”

“It’s Miami. Everyone wants to be in Miami.”

Photography by Carlo Rojas & Gabriel Bayona Sapag.