News

Freshman Nick Veenstra named to 93/94 SYL National Select Team

Super Y-League ODP National Camp began with 300+ elite players being evaluated and placed on the '92 and '93-'94 Select Team, the first hurdle in the process of joining USL in their joint venture with English Premier League side West Ham United.

Nick led the Freshman team this past Fall to a 16 win, 3 lose, 2 tie season... scoring 13 goals and 13 assists while playing Midfield, Forward and Defense.

Congratulations Nick

The Following is from www.superyleague.com

SYL ODP Camps Conclude
Interview with U.S. U17 Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera/SYL Select Teams Named
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Sunday, February 10

COCOA, FL – United Soccer Leagues Super Y-League ODP National Camps drew to a close here today in Cocoa, Florida. The 300+ boys attending the ’92-’94 camp awoke this morning to show, one last time, the reason they were invited to represent the top ten percent of SYL players in North America.

The SYL ODP Coaching Staff used Saturday’s select team matches to carve out the roster for today’s SYL Select Team game. Following their second showing against heightened competition today, elite players were evaluated and placed on the ’92 & ‘93/’94 Select Teams, the first hurdle in the process of joining USL in their joint venture with English Premier League side West Ham United. The project will allow the best players in North America, access to training within one of the top youth academies in the world.

Along with the Super Y-League’s West Ham United opportunities, players were also evaluated throughout the weekend by U.S. U17 Head Coach Wilmer Cabrera.

“The level of play in last night’s game was similar to that of a college match,” said Cabrera. “There was a lot of speed and intensity but the players seem content to just do simple things well. Players in this country need to learn to make their mark on a game. I am here to appreciate the outstanding players on the field, to do that they need to take chances and standout from the rest.”

“At this point I am looking for mostly ’92 born players,” added Cabrera. “That is the age players need to be at to play in the next World Cup. I would take a player born in ’93 but they need to be a really amazing player. At this young of an age, one year makes a huge difference.”

Having played in both the ’90 and ’98 World Cup with Colombia and 18 years professionally, Cabrera ended his playing career with the USL’s Long Island Rough Riders.

“United Soccer Leagues is getting stronger day-by-day,” said Cabrera. “Everyone knows the USL and the connection their clubs have from youth all the way up to the professional level.”

“Playing with the Rough Riders, kids would come to the stadium to see us play,” said Cabrera. “We would interact a lot with those players, sometimes even in training. That is the type of connection we need to make with kids in this country. It creates the passion for the team and for the game. Creating that strong unit between the youth and professional levels creates true soccer fans.”

“Kids see the possibility of one day playing for the pro team and they can use that dream to take their game to the next level,” said Cabrera. “If they do not have that, if there are gaps in the youth system, then you lose that connectivity.”

“The Super Y-League, along with the other leagues in this country, is trying to create a good environment with good competition,” said Cabrera. “The league is doing a great job, but it takes time and it is not easy given the size of the U.S. It takes a lot of commitment from the clubs.”

’93/’94 SYL Select Team
Cody Cropper GK Bangu Tsunami
Aaron Liang D Santa Cruz Breakers
Matt Oliver M Triangle FC
Danny George GK H.C. United
Cooper Vandermaas F Triangle FC
Jon Ray M Triangle FC
Gio Freitas D Sunrise SC
Bryan Gallego M New Jersey Stallions
Michael Howard D Richmond Strikers
Andrew Martin F CASL Elite
Henry Tirado M LI Rough Riders
Antonio Schneider D Chicago Magic
Sekani Sinclair F Schulz Academy
Fabian Bastidas F Sunrise SC
Nick Veenstra D New Jersey Stallions
Spencer Lacivita GK CASL Elite
Mauricio Valderruten F Weston SC
Ryan Lehman M Atlanta Fire United

’92 SYL Select Team
Ryan Hanson GK Triangle FC
Gerardo Ceja D FC Westchester
Jonathan DeValdivelso D Miami Strike Force
Trevor Spurgeon D Cal Odyssey
Edward Mullin M Triangle FC
McKenzey Scott GK South Jersey Barons
Terrell White D South Jersey Barons
Alan Narvaez D Juventus Sport Club
Anthony Gooch D Sanat Cruz Breakers
Christian Bowers D Triangle FC
George Malki M RSL Arizona
Khori Foster M Sunrise SC
Dzenan Catic M Kalamazoo Kingdom
Justin Maheu F Ottawa Fury
Sean Magee M West Michigan Fire
Jacob Doyle M Northern Virginia Royals
Gio Tacconelli M South Jersey Barons
Dale McDonald F Arsenal FC
Ehiosasele Aburime F Atlanta Silverbacks

About USL & West Ham United
Elite-level players named to either the ’92 or ‘93/’94 SYL Select Team at the conclusion of these camps gain the possibility of joining United Soccer Leagues newest initiative with English Premier League side West Ham United. On a player-to-player basis, the most talented athletes at the camp will be selected to join the West Ham Academy for a ten day undertaking with the storied youth academy in London. An inventive element for USL in 2008, this venture furthers the ongoing mission to develop an international platform for foreign clubs to connect with the North American game and provide the best opportunities for USL players with professional aspirations. Selected players will begin training with West Ham United on Friday, March 28. The ten field players and two goalkeepers will travel to London for the intense training and experience. During their ten day venture, players will train within their corresponding West Ham Academy age group and attend English Premier League matches.