During his soccer career Nicolas Hasler has played for Vaduz, Triesen, Balzers, and Eschen – all of them towns in Liechtenstein. Then he got a call from Toronto FC. One week later he left his home country and has been playing in North America's Major League Soccer (MLS), culminating in the December 9 win of the MLS Cup.
Nicolas Hasler, 26, spent majority of his career (2011–present) with the Liechtenstein soccer club FC Vaduz where he made 157 appearances, scoring 14 goals and adding six assists in the first and second Swiss league. Hasler’s time with FC Vaduz was highlighted by being named Liechtenstein’s Footballer of the Year in 2015. He also helped the club capture the Liechtenstein Cup five consecutive times and the Swiss Challenge League during the 2013–14 season.
“There are many differences between the U.S. and the Swiss league,” Hasler said. “In Switzerland we drove to away games. In the MLS we are traveling by plane. Moreover, there are more spectators coming to a game than in Switzerland. A highlight was definitely the away game in Atlanta where 71,000 people attended. That’s almost double the population of my country!”
To date, Hasler has earned 45 international appearances, registering two goals with the Liechtenstein National Team. “Playing for the Liechtenstein National Team is a huge honor. Even if it’s a small country, every time I have the chance to put on the blue national team jersey I’m full of pride. There is nothing better than being able to represent your country.”
After a record-breaking regular season, with the defender scoring three goals, Toronto FC defeated the Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup final. Consequently, Hasler is “proud to be part of MLS history with the record of 69 [team] points in one single season.”