What is it like to be a member of a U.S. Youth National Team?

How does it feel to be thirteen or fourteen years old, barely out of junior high, and have college and pro scouts taking notes of your every move on the field? What is it like to travel the world and compete against the best players Europe, Asia and Africa have to offer, before you’ve even started studying for the SATs?  

Last week, at the U15 GNT training camp at the Home Depot Center, we had the opportunity to find out.

We asked three players – Maya Theuer, McKenzie Karas and Morgan Andrews – and Head Coach Mike Dickey some questions that young players out there might be wondering about, and here are the answers we got.

Maya Theuer

McKenzie Karas: Well, I started out in ODP, and then I just went through the whole state team process, and then I made it to the regional pool, and then the regional team. Two years ago, they chose the top 25 players from my region and took us out to National Camp [in San Luis Obispo, CA]. From that point, Coach [Mike] Dickey just picked the best of the best and formed the team you see here.

Maya Theuer: Yeah, that’s the conventional method but you also see people getting picked up from other teams, if they spot you on your club. There are new faces at every camp.

TopDrawerSoccer: What is a typical day like at training camp, and what’s the best part? What’s the hardest part?

Maya Theuer: We wake up, have breakfast and a morning training session. Then lunch and usually a team meeting, and in the evening it’s another training session or a game. After all that, it’s dinner. It’s a pretty intense day. The meals are the best part, because you just get to spend time with your friends.

McKenzie Karas: The best part is team bonding at practice. We work hard, but we always have fun at the same time. The hardest part is constantly giving your best effort, because everyone around you is so good and everyone competes and wants to be at the top. The games are also fun, but they’re hard work, too.

Morgan Andrews

Morgan Andrews: Some of us have worked together a lot, so we know each other pretty well. But there are always new players coming in, so the more experienced players, like Katie Naughton, myself and others are able to bring the new players in, make them feel welcome, and we kind of just blend as a team as we get going through the camp.

Mike Dickey: We emphasize communication. When we first start, we talk a little about ourselves, we play some funny games that allow us to find out a little more about each player individually. It keeps it light, keeps it fun. These kids got along exceptionally well, and that’s so important. You’ve got to get along, you’ve got to enjoy the game.  

TopDrawerSoccer: What is the biggest thing you learned over the past week at training camp?

Maya Theuer: I really improved my defensive positional skills, awareness of the field. We focus on tactics, and of course we always try to improve our touches, our first touch, and our ability to possess the ball.

McKenzie Karas: As a goalkeeper, my distribution skills improved. I learned to be more aggressive, having that attitude to go and get the ball. I also learned about communication, about us working together as a team.

All in all, National Team training camp is no picnic, but it is a great learning experience that all serious young soccer players should strive for. Excellent coaching, world-class competition, and top-rate facilities make it unlike any other youth soccer experience.

As for the food?

It’s decent, but it probably still tastes better at home.

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