Dekel Keinan’s decorated career is one that most players can only dream of having.
The Israeli defender has lined up against storied English Premier League clubs Liverpool FC at the historic grounds of Anfield, Arsenal at the Emirates and Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge.
He’s listened to the Champions League anthem play prior to taking the pitch against German giants FC Bayern Munich deep in Bavaria as well as traveling to Turin for a UCL fixture against The Old Lady of Italy, Juventus FC.
While having the privilege of proudly wearing his national team’s kit, Keinan competed on the international level with Israel against European powerhouses Russia, Croatia and Greece.
He’s seen it all in the soccer world and competed on some of the grandest of soccer stages. He’s won silverware in his home country as well as the country he and his family currently call home.
And he’s not done yet.
Dekel Keinan’s decorated career is one that most players can only dream of having.
The Israeli defender has lined up against storied English Premier League clubs Liverpool FC at the historic grounds of Anfield, Arsenal at the Emirates and Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge.
He’s listened to the Champions League anthem play prior to taking the pitch against German giants FC Bayern Munich deep in Bavaria as well as traveling to Turin for a UCL fixture against The Old Lady of Italy, Juventus FC.
While having the privilege of proudly wearing his national team’s kit, Keinan competed on the international level with Israel against European powerhouses Russia, Croatia and Greece.
He’s seen it all in the soccer world and competed on some of the grandest of soccer stages. He’s won silverware in his home country as well as the country he and his family currently call home.
And he’s not done yet.
“Winning the Israeli Cup with Maccabi Haifa as the captain was a big, big thing for me, but every time I step on to the pitch, I feel like I have a point to prove,” Keinan said. “It doesn’t matter what I did before, it doesn’t matter how many games I’ve played, and it doesn’t matter who I’m going against during a game or training – I feel like I have a point to prove that I’m good enough and I deserve to play.”
“Winning the Israeli Cup with Maccabi Haifa as the captain was a big, big thing for me, but every time I step on to the pitch, I feel like I have a point to prove,” Keinan said. “It doesn’t matter what I did before, it doesn’t matter how many games I’ve played, and it doesn’t matter who I’m going against during a game or training – I feel like I have a point to prove that I’m good enough and I deserve to play.”
“So, I don’t think a lot about the past, I think about the next game, the next training.”
Entering his second year with Republic FC after making 23 starts in his first season, the polished pro with 27 international caps to his name is still seeking ways of improving his game. With a resume that includes stints with Israeli Premier League’s Maccabi Haifa, English Premier League clubs Blackpool, Cardiff City and Crystal Palace before heading across the pond to captain FC Cincinnati’s title-winning campaign, Keinan’s fire to compete and perform at the highest level is still burning bright.
“Every day that I’m on the training pitch, I want to get better and it’s been like this since I was a little kid and it’s not going to change now,” Keinan said. “I’m here for a reason, not just for a great experience for me and my family but because this is the perfect place for me. To show my ability to play, be a leader as part of the club and the community and it’s just the beginning, I hope.”
Keinan might be nearing the twilight years of his admirable playing career, but he’s just now beginning to write the next potential chapter of his well-traveled soccer story. His life-long love for the beautiful game is what’s fueling his next endeavor in the soccer world – coaching – and he’s grateful for the chance to begin his coaching journey with the Republic FC Academy, having helped coach the SRFC U19’s and U17’s for two weeks as well as the U16’s.
“As much as I love the game, and I really love the game, I know at some point it will be over so to get a taste from the coaching staff, from Todd [Dunivant], it’s really eye-opening and I’m really, really lucky to get the opportunity to learn and to study from professional guys like Mark [Briggs] and his staff and to just sit there and listen, sometimes of course I’ll share my opinions, but I feel lucky enough to have the chance to learn from them and I don’t want to miss it,” Keinan explained.
“So, I ask questions because first and foremost, I am a player and I’m going to fight for my minutes and I’m going to fight my place and I want to play, I want to win games. But I was happy to help out with the academy, it was a good experience for me and a good experience for the kids and it’s something that’s very interesting for me. You never know what’s going to happen in the future, but this is definitely something I’m thinking of.”
“So, I don’t think a lot about the past, I think about the next game, the next training.”
Entering his second year with Republic FC after making 23 starts in his first season, the polished pro with 27 international caps to his name is still seeking ways of improving his game. With a resume that includes stints with Israeli Premier League’s Maccabi Haifa, English Premier League clubs Blackpool, Cardiff City and Crystal Palace before heading across the pond to captain FC Cincinnati’s title-winning campaign, Keinan’s fire to compete and perform at the highest level is still burning bright.
“Every day that I’m on the training pitch, I want to get better and it’s been like this since I was a little kid and it’s not going to change now,” Keinan said. “I’m here for a reason, not just for a great experience for me and my family but because this is the perfect place for me. To show my ability to play, be a leader as part of the club and the community and it’s just the beginning, I hope.”
Keinan might be nearing the twilight years of his admirable playing career, but he’s just now beginning to write the next potential chapter of his well-traveled soccer story. His life-long love for the beautiful game is what’s fueling his next endeavor in the soccer world – coaching – and he’s grateful for the chance to begin his coaching journey with the Republic FC Academy, having helped coach the SRFC U19’s and U17’s for two weeks as well as the U16’s.
“As much as I love the game, and I really love the game, I know at some point it will be over so to get a taste from the coaching staff, from Todd [Dunivant], it’s really eye-opening and I’m really, really lucky to get the opportunity to learn and to study from professional guys like Mark [Briggs] and his staff and to just sit there and listen, sometimes of course I’ll share my opinions, but I feel lucky enough to have the chance to learn from them and I don’t want to miss it,” Keinan explained.
“So, I ask questions because first and foremost, I am a player and I’m going to fight for my minutes and I’m going to fight my place and I want to play, I want to win games. But I was happy to help out with the academy, it was a good experience for me and a good experience for the kids and it’s something that’s very interesting for me. You never know what’s going to happen in the future, but this is definitely something I’m thinking of.”
Keinan’s acquired a wealth of knowledge over his career, both on and off the pitch, and if he seriously considers the coaching route, the experiences he can share with the Republic FC Academy will have an invaluable impact on the next generation of players. Even in just the short time he’s spent with the academy already, he’s been able to share some priceless wisdom.
Keinan’s acquired a wealth of knowledge over his career, both on and off the pitch, and if he seriously considers the coaching route, the experiences he can share with the Republic FC Academy will have an invaluable impact on the next generation of players. Even in just the short time he’s spent with the academy already, he’s been able to share some priceless wisdom.
“Over those two weeks I gathered the academy players together and I told them, ‘listen, I was never the best player, the fastest, the most talented or technical player, I was never this kind of player. But one thing I was, I was the one who worked harder than anyone else. I was the one who came to training first and left last. I was the one who asked questions, I was the one who was there every day, never giving up.’ For me, this was the advice I wanted to give them, because there are going to be tough times and some people will say ‘you’re not good enough’ but if you believe in yourself and work hard and want to get better, you’re going to make it,” the determined defender said.
“And when I think about it, that’s true for everything in this world,” Keinan continued. “Not just soccer. It applies to many more things than just sport.”
Hard work was instilled in the resolute defender the day he was old enough to help contribute to his childhood community. Growing up in the kibbutz of Rosh HaNikra, everyone worked for the cumulative good of the town. A kibbutz is traditionally a small communal farming collective where everyone is expected to do their part for the group.
“It was a small community, not even large enough to call a village called a kibbutz,” Keinan said. “One thing I learned more than anything from growing up in that type of environment was you have to work hard, and everyone has to work hard to make the dream work.”
“Over those two weeks I gathered the academy players together and I told them, ‘listen, I was never the best player, the fastest, the most talented or technical player, I was never this kind of player. But one thing I was, I was the one who worked harder than anyone else. I was the one who came to training first and left last. I was the one who asked questions, I was the one who was there every day, never giving up.’ For me, this was the advice I wanted to give them, because there are going to be tough times and some people will say ‘you’re not good enough’ but if you believe in yourself and work hard and want to get better, you’re going to make it,” the determined defender said.
“And when I think about it, that’s true for everything in this world,” Keinan continued. “Not just soccer. It applies to many more things than just sport.”
Hard work was instilled in the resolute defender the day he was old enough to help contribute to his childhood community. Growing up in the kibbutz of Rosh HaNikra, everyone worked for the cumulative good of the town. A kibbutz is traditionally a small communal farming collective where everyone is expected to do their part for the group.
“It was a small community, not even large enough to call a village called a kibbutz,” Keinan said. “One thing I learned more than anything from growing up in that type of environment was you have to work hard, and everyone has to work hard to make the dream work.”
That all-for-one and one-for-all mentality is the quintessential way to describe Keinan, both as a teammate and as a leader. He doesn’t seek personal glory, it’s all about the group. He lets his actions speak louder than words and has no issues sacrificing himself for the greater good – as he led the Indomitable Club in blocks in 2019 with 21.
That all-for-one and one-for-all mentality is the quintessential way to describe Keinan, both as a teammate and as a leader. He doesn’t seek personal glory, it’s all about the group. He lets his actions speak louder than words and has no issues sacrificing himself for the greater good – as he led the Indomitable Club in blocks in 2019 with 21.
This was a lesson he learned while watching a famous Arsenal legend doing a postgame interview on TV.
“I remember as a kid, I was maybe 10 or 11 years old, I was watching a Premier League game and it was maybe one game a week or something like that and I remember Tony Adams talking after a game about how he was injured and why he continued to play and the only thing mentioned the whole interview was that it wasn’t for the fans or for the coach, but he mentioned it was for his teammates and leading by example” Keinan said. “I took his words as a lesson. If you want to be a leader, lead by example first.”
As a defender and very similarly to that of Arsenal’s Adams, Keinan has an uncompromising style about him and his defensive instincts are one of the many reasons for his longevity competing in top leagues around the globe. He’s a throwback defender to a simpler time, a natural leader who lets his fearless tackling do all the talking.
But his greatest strength of all has nothing to do with physical force and everything to do with a refusal to accept anything short of victory.
This was a lesson he learned while watching a famous Arsenal legend doing a postgame interview on TV.
“I remember as a kid, I was maybe 10 or 11 years old, I was watching a Premier League game and it was maybe one game a week or something like that and I remember Tony Adams talking after a game about how he was injured and why he continued to play and the only thing mentioned the whole interview was that it wasn’t for the fans or for the coach, but he mentioned it was for his teammates and leading by example” Keinan said. “I took his words as a lesson. If you want to be a leader, lead by example first.”
As a defender and very similarly to that of Arsenal’s Adams, Keinan has an uncompromising style about him and his defensive instincts are one of the many reasons for his longevity competing in top leagues around the globe. He’s a throwback defender to a simpler time, a natural leader who lets his fearless tackling do all the talking.
But his greatest strength of all has nothing to do with physical force and everything to do with a refusal to accept anything short of victory.
“The thing that motivated me more than anything else was the will to win,” Keinan said. “I played in the Premier League, I played Champions League, I played for my national team many times, I was captain of big clubs, but it was never about my talents, only about my attitude and my belief in myself and more than anything else, I hate to lose.”
“The thing that motivated me more than anything else was the will to win,” Keinan said. “I played in the Premier League, I played Champions League, I played for my national team many times, I was captain of big clubs, but it was never about my talents, only about my attitude and my belief in myself and more than anything else, I hate to lose.”
This endless lust for competitive victory extends to league matches, friendlies, and even training exercises.
“I’m not going to lie to you, but every time we do small-sided games and I win, for a few seconds, maybe two or three seconds, I feel like I’m on the top of the world,” Keinan exclaimed. “And after training if I lose, and I’m not going to lie either, it can ruin my day. Not every time, but you can ask my wife, when I come home, she knows. As I’m getting older, I’m learning not to let the game affect my life, but not a big success! The moment I get home, she knows if I won the training or not.”
Over his career, Keinan has accumulated quite a collection of memorable moments and massive victories but one of his personal favorites occurred as recently as October of 2019.
“My first game for the national team was a big thing for me and I’ve played twice in Liverpool at Anfield which is the best atmosphere I’ve ever had but you think I’m going to lie to you but the game against New Mexico in the playoffs last season at home, I told the guys after the game, easily making the top-five most emotional moments of my career, easily,” Keinan said. “I can not explain it to you, but the atmosphere after the game, and after that win after we conceded after a few seconds, we go one-zero down and we come back, with my family in the stands, easily makes top-five most emotional moments in my career and you’ve seen how many big games I’ve played in.”
This endless lust for competitive victory extends to league matches, friendlies, and even training exercises.
“I’m not going to lie to you, but every time we do small-sided games and I win, for a few seconds, maybe two or three seconds, I feel like I’m on the top of the world,” Keinan exclaimed. “And after training if I lose, and I’m not going to lie either, it can ruin my day. Not every time, but you can ask my wife, when I come home, she knows. As I’m getting older, I’m learning not to let the game affect my life, but not a big success! The moment I get home, she knows if I won the training or not.”
Over his career, Keinan has accumulated quite a collection of memorable moments and massive victories but one of his personal favorites occurred as recently as October of 2019.
“My first game for the national team was a big thing for me and I’ve played twice in Liverpool at Anfield which is the best atmosphere I’ve ever had but you think I’m going to lie to you but the game against New Mexico in the playoffs last season at home, I told the guys after the game, easily making the top-five most emotional moments of my career, easily,” Keinan said. “I can not explain it to you, but the atmosphere after the game, and after that win after we conceded after a few seconds, we go one-zero down and we come back, with my family in the stands, easily makes top-five most emotional moments in my career and you’ve seen how many big games I’ve played in.”
Given all the illustrious international competitions Keinan has competed in, it says a lot about the growing quality of soccer in the United States if European players are beginning to appreciate the North American leagues. For Keinan, it was something that he definitely wanted to be a part of, and he wanted to do it together as a family.
“I heard that soccer was growing in America and I really wanted one more experience before my time comes,” he said. “I wanted to experience something else, for me, for my family, it was the perfect time for me to try something else. I believe in trying to see different places, different cultures, different people – these things are difficult to compare to money because seeing these things will stay with me and with my family and even more importantly, they’ll stay with my kids forever.”
Not everyone has the courage to pack up and move to a completely new and foreign corner of the world without knowing a soul. For some, it’s very difficult to step outside of their comfort zones, but it wasn’t for a brave and adventurous Keinan clan.
“To move to see different places, different cultures, meet new friends and learn a language that’s new to them, it was one big decision and I’m glad I took it,” Keinan said. “It was difficult though; my kids didn’t know a word in English before we came. Not everything was perfect, but that’s why we came – to struggle, to find our way, and to be stronger as a family. Now when I’m looking back, and even if you were to ask my kids, they’re happy we moved, and they like it here and they found so many new friends.”
The defender even kids that his children have settled in even better than he has.
“They speak better English than me, better accent for sure,” Keinan joked. “The kids, they’re fixing my accent! We’ve met so many great people, so many great friends who are going to be friends for life. Great memories here and that is exactly why we came.”
After years of playing inside Premier League grounds, lacing up the boots before massive Champions League contests on famous European nights, Keinan feels extremely fortunate he and his family can call Sacramento home.
“It’s beautiful, it’s the perfect place,” he said. “A lot of nature, the great schools, very quiet, very clean, very nice. Sometimes I feel like it’s above us!”
An accomplished Keinan should never feel like anyone or anything is above him, given all he’s contributed to the game of soccer and all he’ll continue to contribute. Both in soccer and the city of Sacramento.
Given all the illustrious international competitions Keinan has competed in, it says a lot about the growing quality of soccer in the United States if European players are beginning to appreciate the North American leagues. For Keinan, it was something that he definitely wanted to be a part of, and he wanted to do it together as a family.
“I heard that soccer was growing in America and I really wanted one more experience before my time comes,” he said. “I wanted to experience something else, for me, for my family, it was the perfect time for me to try something else. I believe in trying to see different places, different cultures, different people – these things are difficult to compare to money because seeing these things will stay with me and with my family and even more importantly, they’ll stay with my kids forever.”
Not everyone has the courage to pack up and move to a completely new and foreign corner of the world without knowing a soul. For some, it’s very difficult to step outside of their comfort zones, but it wasn’t for a brave and adventurous Keinan clan.
“To move to see different places, different cultures, meet new friends and learn a language that’s new to them, it was one big decision and I’m glad I took it,” Keinan said. “It was difficult though; my kids didn’t know a word in English before we came. Not everything was perfect, but that’s why we came – to struggle, to find our way, and to be stronger as a family. Now when I’m looking back, and even if you were to ask my kids, they’re happy we moved, and they like it here and they found so many new friends.”
The defender even kids that his children have settled in even better than he has.
“They speak better English than me, better accent for sure,” Keinan joked. “The kids, they’re fixing my accent! We’ve met so many great people, so many great friends who are going to be friends for life. Great memories here and that is exactly why we came.”
After years of playing inside Premier League grounds, lacing up the boots before massive Champions League contests on famous European nights, Keinan feels extremely fortunate he and his family can call Sacramento home.
“It’s beautiful, it’s the perfect place,” he said. “A lot of nature, the great schools, very quiet, very clean, very nice. Sometimes I feel like it’s above us!”
An accomplished Keinan should never feel like anyone or anything is above him, given all he’s contributed to the game of soccer and all he’ll continue to contribute. Both in soccer and the city of Sacramento.
