Size has never really mattered for Minnesota Thunder Academy winger Eric Miller.

“I’ve never been really small, but I was always a smaller, quicker guy,” he said. “It makes you have to be better if you’re smaller. Now that I’m bigger, I’ve gotten a lot faster and it makes thing easier because I can run by defenders sometimes when I couldn’t before. But it was better that I needed to learn the skills before I could do that.”

Miller, who also plays on the U.S. Youth Soccer Region II ODP ’93 team along with such players as Keaton Albert, Taylor Mazurek, Caleb Postlewait, Jason Stacy and Eric Nieto, has recently hit a growth spurt and is nearly 6 feet tall as a sophomore. Still, size is part of what’s on his mind as he works to get better.

“I’m just trying to get stronger and faster, and more fit,” he said. “I’m still working on my technique too though…just about everything.”

Miller is a natural right footer but can deploy on either wing.

“That’s where I like to play the most (outside). I can play either side,” he said. “I do work on my left foot a lot. The game is easier if I can play with both – so I’m not forced to play in just one direction.”

Miller started travel soccer at Woodbury SC and then moved to the year-round program started at Bangu SC under the direction of Jim Neiman. He gives Neiman a lot of credit for his technical development.

“He’s a really good coach,” Miller said. “He taught me a lot of stuff about forming good habits.”

Colin Oswegan, Miller’s current coach at the Thunder Academy (what Bangu Tsunami has become), said the player is becoming a more complete player.

“His smarts and his technique are getting better. He’s learning how to use his soccer knowledge to work through situations,” Oswegan said. “He’s looking better this year even compared to last year. He can still improve but he’s pretty strong. He works very hard in practice.”

Oswegan also noted that Miller is very effective in striking free kicks, another area where he applies himself diligently.

Miller is a top prospect for his 2011 graduating class, and admits to aspiring to play professionally and internationally some day.

For now however, he is hoping to see his Thunder team accomplish some big things this spring and summer.

“Our Thunder team is much better than any club team I’ve played with,” he said. “There’s been a lot of separation in my age group in our state. The Thunder Academy helped to bring a lot of players together so hopefully we can do well this year.”