Super Y-League Feature
Friday, September 14, 2012
Back in 1986 when Vermont-based Nordic Soccer Club was founded little did anyone know the profound impact the organization would have on so many young athletes. Over the past 10 years, more than 125 Nordic Soccer Club players have gone on to play at colleges and universities across the country. And with such an active presence in the Super Y-League (currently seven teams) many of these players, undoubtedly, have experienced the rigors, challenges, and elite competition USL provides.
Now, the current crop of players have a chance to leave their mark. With both their U14 boys and U16 girls teams qualifying for the 2012 North American Finals this December in Bradenton, Florida at IMG Academy, Nordic Soccer Club will be well represented come tourney time.
As his club prepares for this December’s national championships, Nordic Soccer Club Director of Operations Jim Goudie shared his thoughts about the tournament and what we can expect from his teams.
You’re quite familiar with the Super Y-League having teams in seven age groups. What has the league been able to help Nordic Soccer Club achieve in terms of player development?
Coming from a small state like Vermont, there is a limited player pool and level of play within the state. [The Super] Y-League has been able to offer our players and teams the opportunity to play the best teams throughout New England on a regular basis in the spring and summer months.
You’ve been at the SYL ODP camps the past two years and seen the talent that exists in the league. How do you think the Super Y-League allows players to take their game to the next level?
The [Super] Y-League ODP system has been identifying players that may not participate in other ODP programs and give them the opportunity to be identified by National Youth Team staff coaches as well as experience a very high level of camp at a top class facility at IMG.
Your U14B and U16G teams both qualified for this year’s Super Y-League North American Finals. How are you preparing these teams for the tournament from a physical, on-the-field standpoint? Mentally?
Both our U14 boys and U16 girls teams players are currently playing in their high school seasons, so we have no access to them until early November. We then have a very short period of time (four weeks) where we will be looking to practice two to three times per week to prepare our teams for the [Super] Y-League national finals...not an ideal situation, but we will deal with it!
What can we expect to see from your teams at the North American Finals?
Our players will be fit and ready to go having come off their High School seasons. We are praying that there is no early snow and we are able to practice outdoors up to the event!
Who are some of the players to watch from your club at the 2012 Super Y-League North American Finals?
U14 boys = Aiman Ginawi, Cooper O’Connell, Trey Tomasi, Leland Gazo and Jordain Williams. U16 girls = Haliana Burhans, Audrey Morehouse, Ashley Carpenter, Paige DuBrul and Addie Wennar.
You’ve been to IMG and seen the fields and layout. What have you told your players about the world-class facilities they’ll get to experience in December?
Some of our players have been to the [Super] Y-League ODP camp and have experienced playing and practicing at IMG. I am sure they have passed on to their teammates about the quality of the fields at IMG. This is our U16 girls’ second visit to the [Super] Y-League nationals, so I am sure they will remember the high level of play and will want to better their results this time!
