CUSA, CAA, Atlantic Soccer recruits critiqued

July 22, 2011

Dallas, TX – In the bristling heat with some days that had severe windy conditions at the US Development Academy playoffs and showcase, I assessed the incoming college freshmen grouped by conference and school for the games that I was able to attend. On each day, there were two groups for playoffs and I was able to attend a few of the showcase matches as well.

The level of parental participation and organization is vastly differently between clubs. For example, Irvine, Lonestar, and St. Louis Gallagher Missouri have a parent that hands out lineups of their teams and they are available to answer questions for both college coaches and media. These parents were extremely instrumental in helping me to fill any gaps that I had on their teams. I would suggest other clubs might want to copy this model to better inform/sell their players.

Colonial Athletic Association

Northeastern(m)

Michael Lobben
Michael Lobben (Albertson SC) – lacks foot skills causing him to make poor passes with slight pressure. In a physical confrontation with Mongo Bokar (CASL Chelsea FC), he was outmuscled and Bokar wound up scoring from that play. Lobben scored on a corner kick, but the kick was ruled out of bounds (which doesn’t change that he headed a ball into the net).

UNC Wilmington(m)

Andrew Joyce (CASL Chelsea FC) – uses his body to shield off attackers. He starts good attacks with calm passes from the back.
Jacob VanCompernolle (Dallas Texans) – has a nice left foot and he is superior in the air. He took a long wind-assisted shot that the goalkeeper had to get back and barely was able to tip over the cross-bar. VanCompernolle started the play that led to the lone Texans goal.

Conference USA

SMU(m)

Aaron Simmons (Dallas Texans) – is one of the best athletes that I saw this week-end. Simmons hustles leaving everything on the field. He uses his hands a lot on opponents vying for defensive headers. He is superlative in the air. Simmons is going to be successful. He reminds me of Rodney Wallace.
Eduardo Aranda (Dallas Texans) – is an exceptional dribbler. He was slaloming through the Arsenal defense and was tripped in the second half, but didn’t get the call. Aranda is a good passer. He served a scintillating pass to Caleb Richardson but Jeff Torda’s abysmal run eliminated the chance.

Tulsa(m)

Leonard Smith (Dallas Texans) – is a huge imposing forward that didn’t do much other than slowing down the attack with his plodding slow speed and ball movement.

Atlantic Soccer

Houston Baptist(m)