Everett, Wash.
Published: Sunday, March 2, 2008

Is academy soccer the better choice for talented players?

Yes, says UW soccer coach Dean Wurzberger, who cites the higher level of competition

By Dan Sargent and Tim Hintze
Herald Writers

 Josh Petosa won a starting spot on the Snohomish High School boys soccer team as a freshman and earned a varsity letter in each of his first three seasons.

But playing for the Panthers didn't earn Petosa a college scholarship. Playing for the Tukwila-based Crossfire Premier Academy did that.

Petosa, a senior at Snohomish, is in his fourth year playing for Crossfire. He recently accepted a scholarship to play soccer at Gonzaga University and he gives most of the credit to Crossfire.

"They have helped me get noticed and are preparing me more for playing a higher level of soccer," said Petosa, a midfielder. "I just think that everything that I have put into this team is worth it."

Neither Petosa nor fellow Snohomish senior midfielder Matt Berry will play for the Panthers this spring. As of this year, Crossfire does not allow its players to play high school soccer in the spring. So, forced to choose between playing for Snohomish or for Crossfire, both chose the latter.

Berry, who is in his first season with Crossfire and has accepted a scholarship to play at the University of Washington, said playing for Crossfire better prepares him for the college game.

"The academy team offers a high level of competition from across the nation," he said. "The UW coaches like the fact I am playing against better competition."

The United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) selected Crossfire to become one of 32 clubs across the nation to join its Under-18 and U-16 select leagues in the fall of 2007.

Crossfire competes in the West Conference with eight other USSDA clubs -- three from Colorado, two California teams, a team from Portland, Ore., and Washington Premier F.C., which is based in Tacoma.

"The academy players are playing against some of the best competition in youth soccer," University of Washington men's soccer coach Dean Wurzberger said. "I would encourage a serious (NCAA) D-1 athlete to look at the academy teams, as you are playing against a higher quality player. It will be a major resource in recruiting for future players."

Crossfire and the other USSDA teams play 30 games across the nation in an eight-month season, including at least three showcase tournaments.

"Every game is scouted by either colleges or national team scouts," Crossfire president Brian Klein said. "We will place every senior (in college) that can get through the NCAA Clearinghouse."

The NCAA Eligibility Center -- formerly the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse -- handles certification of an athlete's initial college eligibility.

Fifteen of the 22 players on the current Crossfire U-18 team have committed to colleges. Crossfire also had a player on this season's team sign a professional contract with a German team.

"My job is to prepare them for the best opportunity through developing their soccer skills," Crossfire coach Bernie James said. "This is a high-quality program. If you are not dedicated to furthering your soccer career, I don't recommend it."

Crossfire players have been recruited by the U.S. Soccer's Residency Program in Bradenton, Fla. The residency program was established in 1999 for the nation's top youth players and is the backbone of the USSDA. The residency program has produced several U.S. soccer stars, including Landon Donovan, DeMarcus Beasley, Bobby Convey, Oguchi Onyewe and Eddie Johnson.

Goalkeeper Spencer Richey, who played at Roosevelt High School in Seattle and for Crossfire's U-16 team, was selected to the residency academy's U-17 team after playing matches in California.

"Spencer got noticed by national team coaches as Crossfire was playing at a tournament," said Sean Henderson, Crossfire's director of college placement.

Crossfire holds tryouts to select its players, who pay the academy a fee of $2,500 per season. The fee helps pay for airfare, hotels, ground transportation and meals. The academy also holds fund-raisers, which help defray player costs, and it has sponsorship deals with Nike and Gatorade.

"The club has done an amazing job to pay for travel," Henderson said. "These kids are going all over the country and getting a chance to be noticed."

Players practice four times a week at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, with games on the weekends. Snohomish County players typically devote 4-5 hours -- including commute time -- to practice days. Tutoring sessions on the practice field and on academics in the classroom can increase the time players spend at the academy.

"We are trying to do what ever we can to make it the best experience possible for them," James said. "We are doing whatever we can to help them succeed in the classroom and become quality members of the community."

Henderson and his brother Chris were part of the 1987 and 1989 Cascade High School state-championship teams. Both played at UCLA and both played professionally in Major League Soccer.

What would the Hendersons have done if Crossfire and the USSDA existed during their high school careers and they were forced to choose between the two teams?

"Had the academy been around when Chris and I were playing high school ball, we would have selected to play for the academy because we both had higher aspirations," Sean Henderson said. "The academy offers you greater opportunities to be noticed."
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA