FOR THE LOVE OF SOCCER | BERNARD KAMUNGO

When we watch our favorite sports or athletes, each person comes with a backstory, dreams, aspirations, and inspirations that come together through their love of the game and what it means to them. We sat down with Bernard Kamungo who plays for FC Dallas as well as joined the USMNT team earlier this year. He talks with us about how his love for soccer which started in the refugee camps of Tanzania kept him on a positive path and continued when he came to the US as a child. Unbeknownst to him, his love for the game would result in him going pro and being able to live his dreams of going out on the pitch throughout the season. We also talk about the importance of proper tools for recovery when injured as well as what he does prior to and after his matches.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with soccer and at what point did you realize that you wanted to play it?

BERNARD KAMUNGO: I started playing when I was very young, probably as soon as I started walking. Growing up in Tanzania where soccer is the main sport, that made it easy for me to fall in love with playing soccer.

AM: You grew up in a Tanzanian refugee camp and began playing there. Can you tell me about the early days of you playing the game?

BK: I was born in a refugee camp and playing soccer helped me avoid a lot of negative stuff going on in and around my life. My family could not afford a living. We could not afford food, clothes, etc. So, most of the time, my friends and I were playing soccer after school for fun. 1v1, 2v2, and so on, just to get away from the negativity. It was the only thing that brought joy into my life at the time.

PHOTO COURTESY | Bernard Kamungo

AM: When you turned 14, you came to the US and continued playing. What was it like coming here and playing this sport?

BK: It was a dream come true coming to the US. I had seen a lot of movies, videos, and pictures of how amazing the country was, and I always wanted to come to the U.S. The freedom, jobs, and the culture. It is amazing. Some of those things, we don’t have them back home. Soccer played a big part for me to adapt and connect with people in the U.S., besides my family. I had to get out of my comfort zone. It was great getting to use the real soccer ball and cleats to play soccer. I believed one day I would get to do that, and it felt great to be able to do so for the first time.

AM: At what point did you want to go pro?

BK: I hate saying this now that I’m a pro footballer, but honestly, at that time, I had never thought about going pro. It was not realistic for me, so I tried not to think about it. Even though I had a lot of people that believed in me and knew I could make it.

AM: You signed with FC Dallas in 2021, what did it mean to you to join this team?

BK: It was surreal. Especially for someone like me who had just come from a refugee camp with such limited dreams. Being able to achieve that in such a short amount of time was unbelievable.

AM: When you're in season, what's it like when you're training for your games? Tell me about what an average week looks like in terms of training, working out, etc.

BK: My weekly schedule is not that bad. We mostly practice Monday through Friday and play games on Saturday, with an off day on Sunday.

Our practice time changes depending on the month we are in, and we adjust based on the weather. Right now, our report time is 8:00 a.m. I wake up at 6:50 a.m., pray, shower, meditate, have some tea, and head to the stadium for breakfast. I get to the stadium around 7:50 a.m. After breakfast, I go to the gym to foam roll, stretch, and for mobility training before I am ready for practice starting at 9:00 or 9:30 am. Depending on how long meetings take after practice and training, I take an ice bath and get a massage, if I’m sore or tired. I am always looking out for my body and overall well-being, so whether that means settling in for some TLC after practice or suiting up with The BetterGuard during practice and games, I will do what I can to make sure I am performing at my best and preventing any injuries that I can. After that, I’ll eat at the stadium or go home and have lunch, about an hour or two after practice. 

When I’m home, I spend time with my family for a bit, take a 30-minute nap, sometimes more, depending on how I feel. I will read, play FIFA, or watch a movie, while I’m wearing my Hyperice recovery boots. I end my day by eating a healthy dinner at 7:30 p.m. and going to bed around 10:30 p.m. before repeating this same schedule the following day.

AM: What are you looking forward to this season as I know you're currently in the regular season right now.

BK: This season, my goal is to lift a trophy at this wonderful club with all my amazing teammates.

PHOTO COURTESY | Bernard Kamungo

AM: Do you have any routines that you do before a match to get ready for the game and what do you do post-game to come down from all that energy on the field?

BK: My game day routine is so simple. Most of our games are played at 7:30 p.m. and we report at 5:40 p.m. I’ll sleep as much as I can the night before the game. I normally wake up between 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. and have brunch. I keep my mind and body at ease, preparing for games by wearing my recovery boots and relaxing for a bit by reading, while getting in the game day mindset by playing a bit of FIFA or watching clips of soccer games. I then take a 30-minute nap and, when I wake up, eat my pregame meal by 3:00 or 3:30 p.m., at the latest. Once I shower and meditate, I head to the stadium. My head is in the game, and we hopefully come home victorious. After the game, I go home, but I find it hard to sleep after a game. I’m not a talker after games, so I just sit and take it all in, whether I am sitting alone in my room, playing FIFA, or with a small group of friends.

AM: What are your must-haves that you use to assist you in playing the game?

BK: Before the game, I must have either tea, hot milk or rice as my pregame meal. On the field, I rely on kinesiology tape to keep my wrist stabilized and The BetterGuard ankle brace to keep my ankle protected from serious injury. I went down during the end of the first game of the playoffs last season against Seattle. All I want to do is play soccer and compete and, when injury gets in the way, it is the most frustrating thing. Wearing The BetterGuard, I have been able to recover faster and get back on the field quickly, rejoining my team in Dallas to finish the 2023 season and join the USMNT to start 2024. The Betterguards’ team has been working to take their signature product to the next level, and I am excited for everyone to get their hands on The BetterGuard 2.0, launching July 31, to experience the peak athletic performance I have while wearing the brace.

AM: When you're not on the field, how do you take time for yourself?

BK: I like to stay indoors, so I spend most of my time inside, hanging out with my family and friends while trying to stay focused.

AM: Are there any projects coming up that you would like us to know about?

BK: I am so thankful for everyone’s support and look forward to seeing you at an upcoming FC Dallas match. Our season runs through October, and you can find more information, including where to watch or how to buy tickets at fcdallas.com. You can find me on Instagram @bernardk17.

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IN THE OFF SEASON | SEBASTIAN LLETGET

The holiday season has a lot going on from wrapping up the year, a number of events and this year, we all got to watch the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the biggest soccer event in the world! We got to catch up with MLS FC Dallas midfielder, Sebastian Lletget to find out about how he got into the sport, his passion for the game, his predictions as we talked with him when there were 8 teams left in the tournament, his partnership with Old Parr Whisky and how he has spending his time in the off season!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We are huge fans of soccer and are excited to talk with you! When did you fall in love with soccer and when did you realize you wanted to do it professionally?

SEBASTIAN LLETGET: Oh my God, man you’re taking me back! I think like most, my story really started with my dad and his background is full Argentinian. I don’t know if some of your readers would know, but the Argentinian fan base is just that people really live the game and it’s so different! For me, it started at a very very young age. I think that as soon as I could understand my father’s words or his actions, soccer was a starting point in our relationship! As young as 2 years old when you’re really starting to walk and play and it only got more competitive. I think that the story is interesting too because you live in a country – I mean when you think of the story of soccer in the US, it has come such a long way as there used to be such minimal opportunities! So kind of carrying that passion without it being supported by the 4 walls that I grew up in, when I would leave home it would be about baseball, basketball and all of the American sports. To see how much it has grown now here is truly beautiful thing.

AM: You played previously for LA Galaxy, NE Revolution and you’re currently with FC Dallas, what did you like about this 2022 season?

SL: Man, I loved this season! I think individually for me this season, I just learned so much because you go from being at a place for 6-7 years here in LA and then sometimes you need a breath of fresh air, new opportunities and something to spark your career again and to spark your love for it. I think that I reached that point here. As much as I loved it in LA and New England gave me that opportunity and I go there, you know things kind of work their way out the way that they are supposed to and I thought that I would be there for the rest of my standing contract and then 4 or 5 months later, an opportunity comes up and I get to go to Dallas and I take that! I always try to tell young kids that you just have to learn how to adapt and pivot. It’s probably one of the biggest lessons that any player can kind of learn because you can’t plan anything in this sport!

AM: Absolutely!

What are you looking forward to next season?

SL: Oh man, now that I signed a new deal, I’m so blessed and grateful to be part of the club for a consistent basis for the next few years – for me, it’s always going to be to win a championship. I won things with the National team last year, it was a very successful year, but I never won anything on a club level. So that’s definitely on the top of my list. I think that to do that with Dallas and the culture that is being built there, it’s a very very exciting time. So that’s my goal!

AM: We’re all glued to the World Cup! At the time of this interview, we still have a few days ahead of us! What are your predictions that we should be thinking about as we head into the last days?

SL: Oh my God! Isn’t it a crazy one? There’s been a lot of amazing stories right? It just keeps getting better! It’s crazy to think that we’re already at 8 teams. For me, tomorrow is a big day right? For my family, for the household – especially when Argentina played Mexico it was very much so divided because my fiancé, Becky G, comes from Mexico, my family is Argentinian!

AM: Yeah, separate rooms for awhile until everyone cools down haha!

SL: Haha I know right? It’s going to be tough because Argentina plays Holland. I mean, that’s the game that I am looking forward to. That’s going to be the biggest test! I do hope that Argentina does go all of the way and I think that someone like Messi deserves it. I think what he had done for the game and I just hope that that story gets written!

AM: Obviously, I’m used to the World Cup being in the summer time. So when it takes place, I’m pulling clothes for our cover shoots and then you’re popping in and out of the bars to see how everything is going! This year, it’s kind of cool that it’s during the holidays and we can have our watch parties and take it to the next level. You’ve partnered with Old Parr Whisky for their Golden Moments Campaign. Can you tell me why your brands were synergistic to get together and what’s a go-to cocktail that we can enjoy while we’re hanging out with friends and cheering on our teams?

SL: Yeah, I think that the partnership with Old Parr couldn’t have come at a better time. Like you said, just the serendipity timing between the World Cup and the holidays and then partnering up with a whisky brand like Old Parr, it just all goes together so well. What really drew me to the brand is how intertwined Old Parr is with the Latin community. Obviously, my background is that I come from Latin America so that’s what really brought me close to the brand. I’m just really happy that it all worked out and as far as a cocktail that you can enjoy, my signature cocktail is called Off the Pitch! It’s actually really good and I’m not just saying that!

That’s where we are at the moment and we have definitely enjoyed some whisky in the off season and again, because it’s my off season, I get to really have a good time! Because during the season, I have to be very on it, so this was perfect timing.

AM: With the holiday season being in full swing, how are you spending it because it is your off season as well!

SL: I don’t know if it’s me getting older, I feel like I used to go a little more crazy and being everywhere. But now, I’m just like waking up at home. You turn 30 and things start to change! It’s the little things I swear! Just being with family, my fiancé and her family! It’s been a beautiful time. Watching soccer and connecting with people that you don’t always get to connect to on a normal basis. With this career, you have to sacrifice a lot to get anywhere and it’s the same in your industry! I’ve just been using that time wisely!

AM: Outside of soccer, you’re also an entrepreneur what are some projects that you’re working on that you would like our readers to know more about?

SL: Aww man! That’s a really good question! There’s a lot of things that I’m working on kind of on the low. Now that you ask, I’m working on my first venture capitalist fund. That’s a really exciting time because I’m just a big advocate to breaking barriers. For athletes, especially in this country and in the MLS, we have always been told to stay in this box and you can only just be there and work around that space. But I’m just like, somebody’s got to go in a different direction and to break barriers and to break those generational patterns you know what I mean? So that has been my goal and I think that this is a way that I can change that. I can fund really amazing projects and of course, there’s money and stuff, but it’s also about changing people’s lives and giving opportunity to those people that are coming up under me and that’s really my goal. I’m still at the starting point, I’ll be honest. But I am learning and it’s definitely a fun and exciting time!

OFF THE PITCH

INGREDIENTS

1.5 oz Old Parr Aged 12 Years

.75 oz of Mango Liqueur

.75 oz of Ginger Liqueur

.5 oz Lime Juice

GARNISH

Spicy Mango (Candied Mango rolled in chili salt)

GLASSWARE

Rocks Glass

HOW TO PREPARE

In a shaker add 1.5 oz Old Parr Aged 12 Years and remaining ingredients and top with ice. Shake and strain into an ice filled glass. Garnish with a spicy mango using a cocktail pick and enjoy.

IG @theylovedaboy

PHOTO COURTESY | PG 70-72 + PG 147-149 9LIST STORI3S FC Dallas | PG 75 Courtesy of Sebastian Lletget |

Read the DEC ISSUE #84 of Athleisure Mag and see IN THE OFF SEASON | Sebastian Lletget in mag.

ATHLEISURE MAG #84 | DEC ISSUE

In this month’s issue, our cover story is WTA Grand Slam US Open 2017 Champion, Sloane Stephens. With the tennis season about to start next month, we talk about how she is preparing for the Australian Open, how she embraces self-care, what it’s like to juggle traveling and working and her passion for wellness. We also chat with EDM DJ/Producer, Hardwell as we talk about his passion for music, taking a break from the industry and coming back from his hiatus with his latest album, REBELS NEVER DIE. The Bachelorette, Michelle Young talked with us about being on the show, how she navigated her season and what she has been up to as she embarks on her latest chapter and uses her platform to educate and inspire others. With the holiday season in full swing, we’re all looking for ways to make it easier to spend time with our friends and family. Marianna Hewitt, style influencer and Co-Founder of Summer Fridays talks with us about what she has coming up with this coveted beauty brand, how she takes on the holiday season and her must-haves. Although we’re used to watching FIFA’s World Cup during the summer, it was nice to have it throughout the holiday season as we cheered on our favorite players and countries! FC Dallas’ Sebastian Lletget took some time to give us some predictions on who he was interested in seeing take it all, he also talked about his upcoming season as he prepares during the offseason and how he enjoys the holiday season! We always love going to well planned and executed party whether it’s a wedding, launch or other kind of gathering. For years, we have been fans of Celebrity party planner, Mindy Weiss. We talk about how she approaches her events, the importance of a signature cocktail and for those that may be taking on their own planning – she has some tips that you’ll find helpful as well!

This month’s 9PLAYLIST comes from EDM DJ/Producer Ownboss as well as Sloane Stephens. Our 9LIST STORI3S comes from Marianna Hewitt and Sebastian Lletget. Our 9DRIP comes from Sloane Stephens and Hardwell. Our 63MIX ROUTIN3S comes from professional Volleyball player Gabby Reece and CEO/President of [SOLIDCORE] Bryan Myers. In this month, we have a special feature that runs in this month as well as in our Jan issue known as NEW YEAR, N3W YOU. It lets our favorite celebs to share THE GOOD things that took place this year, THE ADD for items that they were not able to tackle this year and are focusing on doing for next and THE BUZZ – things that they can share that we can keep our eye out for. This month’s responses comes from Co-Founder of Une Femme Wines, Jen Pelka, EDM DJ/Producer Like Mike of Dmitri Vegas and Like Mike, EDM DJ/Producer Hardwell, Founder of Boxing WAGS and Co-Founder of D’Telli Fragrances Telli Swift, Creative Director of SEQUIN, Tara Malkovich and TV Personality and author Chef David Rose. 

Our monthly feature, The Art of the Snack shares a drool worthy meal experience at 8282. This month’s Athleisure List comes from Soho Grand and Body Space Fitness. As always, we have our monthly roundups of some of our favorite finds.

Read the DEC ISSUE #84 of Athleisure Mag.