It may be a New Year for everyone this week but it is possibly a new beginning in a few of our Michigan soccer players' careers through the NPSL combine this weekend in Florida at Broward College Soccer Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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This combine will be a tournament between the NPSL regions of the Midwest, Northeast, South and West over a two day period in which the teams will be lead by coaches selected within each region.
The Midwest region will have Lansing United's Head Coach Eric Rudland (pictured right) at the helm and Eric and United owner Jeremy Sampson are excited for this opportunity for their players. Rudland is "humbled and excited" for this opportunity and is "looking forward to working with the top players in our region in an effort to help them be identified by pro scouts." As Head Coach Rudland hopes "to put players in spots where they show well and play with confidence."
Sampson feels that this is a "great way for the NPSL to be showcased and is happy for Eric to lead these guys and take them to the pro teams to see." Rudland states that it is a "humbling and exciting opportunity" and wants to "put players in spots where they show well and play with confidence."
Lansing United's inaugural season "far exceeded expectations on and off the field" stated the NPSL Midwest Region Great Lakes West Conference Champions owner and to have Rudland head up the region is a great honor. Sampson is looking forward to his players and Coach to be a big part of this combine and also to the 2015 season. United did exit interviews with all involved to try to help determine what changes needed to be made to make the program and experience that much better but he was proud to not only have a "competitive team on the field but also it was even more special to see in their inaugural year to have an average of 1000 fans every game." He feels they "built a great foundation and want to make the experience an even better one for the fans at the East Lansing Soccer Complex while keeping the proximity to the field essential to be able to taste, smell and hear it all up close and create a great atmosphere for the players and the fans."
Rudland's Midwest team will consist of players within the region including Lansing United's own Cody Archibald, Tyler Pasher, Godwin Addai, and Brian Cunningham. Eric is also excited to have on board Detroit City FC standout midfielder Zach Schewee. Cunningham has been quoted previously in the NPSL article "Brian Cunningham: A True Soccer Journey" about the combine stating that "The NPSL has proven to be a successful gateway to the professional ranks, both domestically and internationally. It was a very competitive season and I am grateful I get to play among quality players."
The combine tournament schedule has each region training on Friday, January 11th, which these sessions are not open to the public, will be held 5:30-7pm for the Northeast and South and from 7-8:30pm for the Midwest and West. The goalkeepers will be trained by former EPL Bolton Wanderers and Bradford City goalie Aidan Davison, who is from Northern Ireland.
The actual matches will be held on Saturday, January 12th and are available to be watched by the public. The game schedule is on Saturday at 2pm ET the Northwest team headed by Coach Grover Gibson (Fredericksburg FC) and assisted by Andrew Cullen (New York Athletic Club) against the South region team headed by Coach Bill Elliott (Chattanooga FC) and assisted by Ferdinando De Mattaeis (Miami United).
Saturday at 4pm is when the West region team headed by Coach Ruben Mora (Sacramento Gold) and assisted by Billy Forte (San Francisco Stompers) will face Rudland's Midwest team and he will be assisted by John Kowalski (Fort Pitt Regiment).
On Sunday there will be an 11am consolation game and the Final game will be played at 1pm ET. The event is led by Combine Committee Chair/Executive Board Member Kenneth Farrell (New Orleans Jesters) along with Director of Operation Cindy Spera (New York Athletic Club) and with the help and support of Executive Board Member Barry Dixon (Jacksonville United).
The NPSL scheduled this combine in this way as the MLS combine is being held as well this weekend in Fort Lauderdale, the idea being that MLS coaches and representatives will be able to coordinate between the combines to scout the NPSL players as well. The league has also done a great job in trying to not only allow the players to be seen and to compete against the best of the best within their league, but to also be trained by the top coaches and get a good education with the soccer system and what it takes to become a professional.
"With this being the first year of the combine, it is still in question as to the draw the event will bring. In my opinion if we can place one player from the Mid-West Regional Team into a pro-club, it will be worthwhile" stated Coach Rudland.
Joe Barone (Brooklyn Italians SC), NPSL Chairman explains that "We have communicated with all US Professional teams in MLS, NASL and USL pro. We currently have a number of coaches who have verbally committed to attend the NPSL Tournament Combine. We also have NASL Commissioner Bill Peterson along with Barclay Premier League coach Chris Ramsey speaking on Saturday night at a player dinner."
Overall, this effort and step by the National Premier Soccer League to provide an up close view of their top players to the top tiers of US Soccer is a positive step in building their stance in soccer and providing their players with avenues to possibly advance.
Barone concludes "I am excited for our players that have been chosen to compete in the event. I am confident that some players will move on and have Professional opportunities to pursue the dream of making a living playing the game they love."