I know of a young player who was a starter on Canada's U17s, but he blew his knee out in the off season of 2002. He is a great player but was out of action all last season and is only just coming back into full gear, a little late to be scouted by top NCAA schools. Are there any camps over the winter where he might attract attention? He graduates from high school next spring. He may go to Europe as he has the highly prized "European passport" through one of his parents but a good NCAA program might be more atttactive to him. Any ideas welcome.
if the player has the skill to play for a team that is in the first or second division of a european club in the netherlands, spain, england, france, germany, italy, sweden or norway, then i would recommend it. if you believe that the injury needs some rehab time and less intensity, then i would suggest finding a university in the u.s. many clubs in europe are converting their reserves to u23s. it gives more opportunities for younger players to advance to the next level. these guys are intense and hungry because they are just one step away from the cameras - i mean intense like you don't see in north america.
CanuckFan's son If your son is as good as u think, he can walk on to any of the top 10 college programs and earn a scholarship.
There are no camps or tryouts. If his club team in Canada has the money, he can convince the coach to go a winter or spring tournament where there will be a lot of coaches life the Surf Cup in San Diego or the Orange Bowl in Florida. If his club can't afford to go or can't get a spot, he can try and contact one of the teams that is invited - the tournament will have the list - and ask if he can play as a guest player. If he's willing to pay the club - and pay his way to the tournament - the club will likely say yes as they are all about the money and won't turn down the dues! However, if he's looking for scholarship money for 03, it will likely be gone by then. The NCAA signing period is February 5 and most of the top programs have their scholarship money committed to players they've been recruiting by then. If his pedigree is what you say it is, he should put video tape together and send it schools and do it ASAP. He should include with that his GPA and if he has taken the SATs or ACTs, that score. He should also have a letter from his national team coach, which should carry some weight, and he should have a doctor right an honest assesment of his chances of a full comback. If his parents can afford it, or he can qualify for financial aid, and he really is good, most top programs will let him walk on and prove himself in camp. If he needs or wants scholarship money, the chances of a Top 20 program having any cash this late are slim and he should try mid-major programs in mid-major conferences. They may not have any money, either, but if they do, they'll be more likely to take a chance on a kid like this. A very good mid-major program with a history of recruiting Canadians is Farleigh Dickinson in Teaneck, New Jersey. Hartwick College in Hartwick, NY also recruits in Canada a lot, as does Wright State in Ohio and the University of Louisville in Kentucky and Coastal Carolina in Conway, SC. If he's gonna go the NCAA route, don't wait. It's a cliche but time is of the essence. The money is finite and it dries up quick and even if he's a walk-on, those spots are limited, too. Hope this helps - best of luck.
I know that options are good to have, but if he's that good, has a passport to play in Europe without lots of red tape, has international experience at the U17 level..... THEN WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO CONSIDER PLAYING SOCCER AT A U.S. UNIVERSITY, WHEN HE COULD PLAY REAL FUSSBALL IN EUROPE???
Maybe because... ...the likes of Sanneh, Reyna, Friedel, Keller, Meola, Agoos, Berhalter, and more came from US universities...the US college route is not as bad as you make it sound...there are limitations but not as many as you give the impression there is...
Shutout - you're right, there aren't many limitations that I can think of playing at a U.S. university v. playing professional ball in Europe, but I'll list just a few here: 1. the NCAA 2. lack of fan interest in the U.S. 3. getting paid for your efforts 4. best trainers in the world are in Europe 5. having to take stupid clases like English 101 & 102 6. Awesome European chicks 7. Learn a new language 8. Experience a new culture 9. Awesome European chicks 10. Able to be around the best professionals in the world 11. Reserves are one step away from the big time 12. Intense training 13. Awesome European chicks 14. Passionate football 15. Not having to play with dorky U.S. players that are the coaches favorite 16. Awesome European chicks 17. Being a soccer player and made to feel more special than a U.S. university football / basketball player 18. Don't have to be a professional and a student at the same time 19. See awesome history (better than book history) 20. Appreciated for your talent, not your size 21. Awesome European chicks 22. .....Awesome European chicks
Thanks for the replies fellas, especially Sandon Mibut, who really addressed what I was looking for. The kid does has options. Thanks for the European tips, but his family is well aware of the difference between NCAA and Europe, so no debate on that front is required. He comes from an academic family so they have a difft perspective than some others would. I will pass on the info. It looks like he may be too late for sholarships though. And it is not my son. He will not be national team material for a few years yet (he's 7).
Friobandito... ...great name...hang around vending machines do ya? NCAA...no argument Lack of fan interest...depends on where you look and what you are looking for...CAN YOU BELIEVE...there are actually schools (yes, D1) that do not have football and the basketball is not very good thus giving way to soccer players. Paid for your efforts...now the whole NCAA system is bad...the $80,000 to $100,000 potential scholarship is not perfect but pretty damn good...seems to be a hell of a lot of foreigners that are interested in that! I won't respond to all of your assinine comments but it sounds like you are not getting any 'chicks' That education is stoopid! There are benefits and drawbacks and I could name many as far as Europe is concerned...you are a bitter 'something' so it is no longer worth my time to make a point with someone who is so very narrow minded. Enjoy Fox Sports World when there is no American soccer on and see you at the Home Depot Center for the 2004 Men's D1 College Cup! You'll be the one and only person there I am sure! Lighten up.
aye, yi, yi, yi, no mas, por favor, no mas. or maybe, I'm just getting too many chicks. aye que caramba! Hehehehe...