Bringing the British back
The recent influx of foreign players, especially English players, has provided American players with a new sense of training in collegiate soccer. The ability to obtain a degree while playing competitive soccer has lured young English talent from club academies to division one and two schools in the United States.
Schools like Lees McCrae and Lenior Rhyne have relied on recruiting English talent to provide both experience and skill to their squads. Players like Harvey McMorrow have made the trip across the pond in search of being a part of the growing soccer culture in America.
“There are many foreigners brought into English academies there a lot more opportunities in America with USL and other leagues,” McMorrow said, a freshman at Lees McCrae University. “Although is division one is a lot more physical, I think division 2 is better technically and that’s in part to the amount of foreign players we have,” McMorrow added.
The level of play in England is of high standard and there limited space for players in England to make it to the top. Clubs and academies have to cut players they believe won’t make it to the professional level and unfortunately crush their dreams as a result. Players see that they have to ply their trade elsewhere if they are to prove themselves.
With a lower playing level that is growing in skill, the United States is a prime place for English players to migrate to in search of a new career. Being able to play at university, means they can have a backup career plan if soccer is something that they cannot achieve professionally.
Although these players dream their whole lives of playing for their favorite or hometown clubs, the American professional leagues may be what is right for their careers.
Mitch Botfield came to the United States after playing for League One side Walsall. He feels that his experiences of playing for Lenoir Rhyne have allowed him to grow as a player and will take his playing career back to England. He believes the blend of physicality and skill is something that sets American style soccer apart.
“I’ve been able to expand my knowledge of my game in America and I’ll definitely apply that part of my game when I’m back in England,” said Botfield, a senior at Lenoir Rhyne University.
Not only is playing in America a new experience, it is also seen as an outlet from the trap of English academies. Academies usually
Jordan Melia is one of the few foreign players in division one college soccer. He believes in the same ideas that many division two foreign players hold true about playing college soccer.
“If you’re 20 years old and you’re not playing in a first team, you’re pretty much not going to play anywhere in England,” said Melia, a senior at Appalachian State University. “It’s a dog-eat-dog world there,” he noted.
The reality of not being able to climb the English footballing ladder has struck many young bright talents in the United Kingdom. However, the United States has been gathering momentum in soccer development.
The standard of play has developed quickly over the years and young English players, like Jack Harrison of New York City FC, have shown that playing in America could lead to a fantastic playing career; and if players do not end up
play professionally, they can have a successful life thanks to a degree they earned at the same time.
