Genki Miyachi, a Japanese midfielder in his first season with the Chattanooga Football Club, has quickly fallen in love with his new home for reasons not limited to soccer.
Hailing from Gotemba, near Mount Fuji, the 25-year-old Miyachi has taken in the beauty of the Scenic City in his free time.
“I love the outdoors,” Miyachi said. “I love going to creeks, boating on the river and hiking with my teammates. I am from a country city in Japan, and I have always enjoyed nature. The people here in the city have been so supportive and made me feel right at home, too.”
Miyachi’s adventure has taken him from playing professional soccer in his home country to being with Nashville FC on a trial basis to becoming an integral part of CFC’s lineup. After being named the man of the match in his first appearance with CFC, which is in its final year as an amateur club before before beginning pro competition, Miyachi had a serious calf injury.
Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon / CFC coach Peter Fuller, left, and midfielder Genki Miyachi look on at practice Thursday. Miyachi has become a fan favorite for many in his first year with the soccer team.Already learning a new language, he had the added physical and mental challenges of trying to work his way back to full strength with no guarantees. Miyachi’s English has improved drastically, though, and he is coming off a fantastic showing as he helped control the tempo and passed well in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against the host Milwaukee Torrent in a National Premier Soccer League Members Cup match.