By Ivan Avalos
Every year, as high school soccer begins, many kids who are good enough have to decide what they want to do: Play for their high school or go off and play for an academy soccer team outside of school. Academy is a league created by U.S. Soccer that, “hopes to improve education, resources, and support to impact everyday club environments that will develop world-class players” as stated on ussoccerda.com. One way they hope to improve the quality of training is by not allowing the players that are in academy to play on any other teams. Unfortunately, this affects many high school programs as some of the best players in the high school programs leave to play academy. This season, Brien McMahon had 5 players play academy, meaning they couldn't play for Mcmahon. “Players tend to choose club over high school because the club/program promises them better scouting opportunities to go pro or colleges” said Helmuth Iraheta Jr (16). Kids that play academy usually end up going to Division 1 colleges and some end up going professional because many professional teams have youth teams in an academy league. This means that there is a really high quality of soccer being played, which attracts college coaches. Eduardo Vargas (19) told us “the reason I chose academy my freshman year was for the traveling, and playing against MLS Academy teams. But also getting noticed by college coaches and MLS scouts.” Eduardo, who played for Everton FC academy, is one of the players that for the 2016 season will have to make the decision between playing for academy and high school. “There's a lot of pressure on me when it comes choosing between my friends and representing my school or playing academy and trying to go as far as I can with the sport I love.” “Academy requires a lot of hard work, high school is more of playing the game you love with your friends and being part of a family that you won’t forget” stated Kervens Jean-Charles (16). Kervens was one of the kids that alternated between academy and high school. His freshman and junior years he decided not to do high school and played for Beachside Academy, while his sophomore and senior year he decided to tryout and made varsity on both years. “I think people forget how competitive high school soccer is,” said Helmuth, “we slay against tough teams like Darien, Greenwich, Ludlowe who did well and there are players in the FCIACS that could be playing Academy” Many people choose high school because they feel a certain pride that comes with representing their school and wearing the school's name across your chest. “High school soccer is a time to make memories and present your high school with Pride that you don't get from playing Academy” said senior captain Stathi Panagiotidis (16).
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By David Bonaney The former Alabama Heisman running back, Trent Richardson, had an impressive season his rookie year. He was a 2012 first round draft pick.
He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns as a #3 pick. Trent played all 15 games and ended his rookie season with 950 yards with 11 touchdowns. Trent Richardson revealed part of the reason why he had a tough season in the NFL was due to his lack of effort. Richardson said “It's very easy to get lazy in the NFL.” I don't doubt the fact that it's easy to be lazy in the professional football league, but it’s ridiculous if that's your excuse. That has to be the most pathetic thing I've ever heard coming from an athlete. Not just an athlete though, this man is a professional football player. He knows that in order for you to be the best, you have to beat the best. To beat the best, you have to work harder than the man on top of the ladder. To be honest, it's easier to kick the man off the top because they're not working as hard as they were when they wanted to be at the position they're in now. Trent won the Heisman trophy in 2011 after an outstanding season. He knows what it takes to be the best, so why isn't he best? He's getting too distracted off non-sense and if he wanted it as bad as he said he wanted it, he'd most definitely be in the same category as Adrian Peterson and Le’veon Bell. I don't understand, how is that even possible? You can't go from being the best in NCAA, then be the worst in the league and use “it's easy to get lazy in the NFL” as an excuse. Are players being overpaid? Why doesn't the league increase mandatory workout sessions like NCAA? I'm starting to believe that college players work harder than professional players. Professional players are getting over hyped. Not everybody at the professional level works hard. Sources say that Trent Richardson went back to Alabama to get that “hungry” feeling back. Alabama created a monster and I believe they can help him get his mind right and become one of the most improved players of the year. I expect a lot from Trent Richardson next season, not only because he's on my Baltimore Ravens squad but also because he has a lot of doubters. So that's more fuel to an animal and I expect great things from his end. |
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