64 Girls and 8 Boys from Legends FC class of 2019 will be playing college soccer Legends FC fields competitive club teams across the spectrum of y
64 Girls and 8 Boys from Legends FC class of 2019 will be playing college soccer
Legends FC fields competitive club teams across the spectrum of youth soccer. Teams range from USSDA, to DPL, and USYS to provide options that will fit a wide variety of players and families.
Earlier this month, Legends FC brought their class of 2019 together at the Silverlakes complex to celebrate their accomplishments.
I asked Legends FC College Director, Richard Antoine, more about the 2019 graduating class and what Legends FC does to help their players find the best fit for their life after youth soccer.
SN: How many different Legends teams have players in that 2019 commit list?
RA: The commitments came from eight different teams within the club. There are twenty-eight players from our DA and DPL Academy Program. Additionally, our North, South, SGV and East Regional teams all boast more than seven commitments.
College Exposure
SN: How does Legends help players get in front of college coaches?
RA: The first step in the Legends FC process is player identification. As a staff, we attempt to place the player on the best team that supports the player’s development and college aspirations. Our coaching staff works in a collaborative way to provide player’s with opportunities to play with other teams in the club. This helps continually challenge the players’ development. Examples include our teams qualifying for CRL, National League, and USYS Regional and National Championships. The club also coordinates various college showcases, ID camps and clinics. These attract a wide cross section of college coaches. This increases college identification and exposure pathways for our players.
Legends FC alumni on college soccer rosters
SN: What results have you seen from Legends’ college placement efforts?
“Our former players have earned All American, All Region and All Conference honors within every division of college soccer.”
Richard Antoine, Legends FC College Director
RA: Last college season, Legends FC was honored to recognize 115 former players on opening season rosters. Our former players have earned All-American, All-Region and All-Conference honors within every division of college soccer. For example, over just the last two college seasons, twenty Legends players have received Division 1 All-Conference recognition. The club also had a Division 2 All-American that led her team to the Final Four. There was also a pair of players who were starters on teams that were Division 3 Semi-Finalists and National Champions.
Advice for players hoping to play college soccer
SN: What can any high schooler do to help his or her college recruiting?
RA: One of the most important thing a player can do is to maintain a high academic profile while in high-school. Maintaining a strong academic profile provides a player with greater opportunity to attend a wider range of schools and in some cases offers additional academic-based financial support within a player’s offer package. Player’s should also utilize their club coaches as a resource in continually assessing their performance level, which not only provides development feedback but aids in school fit consideration. Finally, players should seek a competitive training environment with a club that provides a curriculum that provides an on-field and off-field development pathway of the player qualities required to be successful at the collegiate level.
All photos courtesy of Legends FC and Edwin Torres (Instagram: @e.torres90)
