IT WAS FORTY YEARS AGO TODAY … #17

Random memories from 40 years of coaching in the USA

2023, Boston, MA. In my time, I've been fortunate to coach many players who have had incredible individual success as players. Countless boys and girls have enjoyed soccer in high school and college. Some have gone beyond to play professionally in the USA and abroad. Several have played on national teams, both men and women. More significant are those who have gone on to help with the continued growth of soccer in the country. I'm aware that many in England still feel that the sport has yet to make an impression in the USA. How wrong they are! The professional leagues are thriving, the national teams are well-established competitively, and participation at youth levels is significant. Soccer may not be at the level of the NFL or the NBA. I believe one day it will. Meantime, we have "Ted Lasso" and "Welcome to Wrexham". Their significance? Their success shows mainstream acceptance of what forty years ago was the "foreigners game".

Here are some examples of players from my various affiliations who have played significant roles in the sport's growth. I am only a footnote in their story. It is gratifying to see what they have accomplished and continue to accomplish. I'm only mentioning one player from each affiliation. There are countless more involved in soccer, from coaching their kids to many positions in the game beyond.

WEST CHESTER. I was only there for two years, but the Golden Rams had a talented young midfielder in Mark Mallon, who had a clear passion for the game. Mark went on to coach at Yale and Berkeley. After leaving the college ranks, he has continued to spread the soccer gospel in Ohio and the Midwest.

DARTMOUTH. Todd Beane runs the Barcelona-based TOVO Academy. Although based abroad, TOVO has significantly impacted soccer coaches' and players' education nationwide. It is a unique programme with an equally unique vision.

TUFTS. Evan Debby played for me between 1994 and 1997. After graduating, he spent many years working in MLS and aiding its growth. Nowadays, he is the Executive Director of the New Jersey Youth Soccer Association. NJYSA is one of the premier youth soccer organizations in the country with a long and storied history.

In the last couple of years, two former club players have secured head coaching at local colleges, Caitlin Pickul (Boston Lightning) at Wellesley and Liam McKersie (AC Milan Boston) at Emerson. There are many others, and recently, in the club game, I have come across Joe Dincecco (Mass Arsenal) and Liz Gill (Mass ODP 1992).

One former player I did have a more direct influence upon is Lydia Claudio, whom I met earlier this year in the Pressed Cafe, Burlington, by chance. Lydia played for me on Boston Lightning and is now coaching at SFC. Our meeting set the wheels in motion.

I have a considerable connection with Lydia's family. Lydia's mother, Julia, coached with me at Tufts, Ruben played on my 1994 Mass ODP team, and Raquel was on my Women's team in the late nineties. Of all the families I've worked only Bobby Clark's family shades the Claudios. Jenny and Jamie became college coaches while Tommy founded an incredible company, Grassroot Soccer, which uses the sport to help African adolescents live healthier lifestyles. Bobby had a useful career himself in the college game!

I've pictured Lydia demonstrating as a counsellor at my Dean College camp. She was a college player for Tufts at the time. What I love about this picture is Lydia's concentration while executing a technique for the campers. I'm sure she will do a fantastic job with the young players at SFC. In the final analysis, it is wonderful to see the birth of successive generations of American soccer devotees. When the World Cup returns in 2026, the soccer scene will have advanced by leaps and bounds compared to 1994.

YNWA