#CollegeSoccerExposed : Alex Ramos Leaves College to Sign for Pachuca of Liga MX

Ramos Becomes the First Installment of the #CollegeSoccerExposed Original Series - "Skipping College"


Alex Ramos, son of U.S. Soccer legend, Tab Ramos has left Iona College to sign professionally for Pachuca of the Mexican first division. As a sophomore at the New Rochelle, New York based college in January of this year, Ramos decided it was time for his next move.

 

The argument of whether college soccer still serves a purpose for the development of young aspiring professionals is ongoing. With the partnership between the United Soccer League and Major League Soccer growing, more and more young American's have been skipping college for the pro's.

But Ramos is no stranger to the professional soccer environment. Ramos is the son of current U20 U.S. Men's National Team Coach, Tab Ramos. After a decorated career at NC State, Tab moved on to play most notably for, UANL Tigres of Liga MX, NY/NJ Metrostars of the MLS, as well as Real Betis of Spain, who gained promotion to La Liga while Ramos was at the club.

Pachuca's newest signing out of the U.S. will look to leave his own mark on the game regardless of his father's career. #CollegeSoccerExposed caught up with Ramos to get his thoughts on his new life in Mexico.

Is playing professionally everything you expected?

Playing professionally is everything that I expected and more. There is no better feeling than getting paid to do what you love. Everything from the great grass fields, to the clothing/cleat sponsorship, to the facilities, doctors, gym, and just overall atmosphere around me is something I have always dreamed of. The speed of play and the level of players that I have played with here in Pachuca has already helped me improve tremendously. I really enjoy being in an environment where every person has the same goals and the same passion for futbol that I do. Now I am able to focus just on staying healthy and my performance on the field all hours of the day. This is everything that I have ever wanted and truly a humbling experience.

 

What are some of your goals moving forward in your career and do you plan on finishing your degree?

Some goals that I have going forward are: Make my debut for the 1st team here at Pachuca and play in Europe as well as returning to the US at some point to play in the MLS and of course representing my country in a World Cup. I do plan on finishing my college degree. Right now I am just focusing on getting to the highest level that I can on the pitch but a degree is something that I have always wanted to have and will have when the right time comes.

 

Why did you leave Iona?

 

Leaving college was not a very difficult decision for me because it just was not where my head was at. I did enjoy the thought of getting a great education while continuing my soccer career at the same time but my dreams had gotten in my way. Soccer is so much more than a game to me. It is something I have been able to rely on from the day that I was born. Fortunately for me I have seen what the life of a professional soccer player is like first hand for my entire life and I have never for one second thought I've wanted to be anything other than that. No matter how good or bad things are going for me I have always been able to rely on soccer to assist me in forgetting about the world and just enjoying myself. On the field is where I feel the most comfortable. I could not say no when the opportunity to fulfill my dreams was given to me.

What kind of presumptions come with your last name in regard to soccer?

 

Having a father who is very well known in this sport has been very helpful to me throughout my career. I am sure that there are people who expect more from me or assume that I am going to be something that I may not be. I try not to think about those kinds of things and just focus on what is important. This is something that I have dealt with my whole career so far and at this point it is normal to me for the bar to be set high. I have been given many opportunities to prove myself because of my last name and for that I am very thankful. But overall the pressure that I feel is not as high as some may expect. My dad has accomplished so many great things in his soccer career and now is my chance to make the best of my career. As of right now I am just focused on creating my own identity and working as hard as I can to improve.

Stayed tuned for the next edition of the "Skipping College" series where we expose the reasons young professionals leave college for the pro's as told by the players.

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#CollegeSoccerExposed - College Cup Rewind: University of Virginia Midfielder Nicko Corriveau talks College Cup Triumph

Winning the NCAA Tournament takes much more than being the best on the field. The lives of college athletes become consumed with their sport come tournament time; having to worry about exams and assignments while on the road doesn’t make life any easier. The Virginia Cavaliers Men’s Soccer program managed to find the balance as they claimed their seventh national championship in 2014.

After an early exit in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament at the hands of defending national champions, Notre Dame 3-0, the Cavaliers went on a run for the ages. UVA would walk by UNC Wilmington in the first round only to be followed by a meeting with the Fighting Irish once again. UVA traveled to Indiana and came out victorious thanks to an 82nd minute winner from central midfielder, Nicko Corriveau, ending any hopes of a repeat for Notre Dame.

The Cavaliers would move on to Washington, D.C. to take on Georgetown. The Hoyas would break the deadlock in the 59^th minute and held their lead until the final minute when UVA found the equalizer pushing the game to extra time. The match would go to penalty kicks and UVA came out on top, advancing to the College Cup.

A convincing performance against underdogs, UMBC, in the semi-finals set the stage for a match-up of college soccer heavy weights in the final, UVA and UCLA. 90 minutes of scoreless action was followed by two similar overtime periods. Penalty kicks would decide the winner, and UVA silenced their critics over taking UCLA 4-2 from the spot.

“The most rewarding thing about winning the championship was that most "analysts" predicted us to lose pretty much every game we played,” said Corriveau.  “We knew how hard we worked and it’s very rewarding to see your hard work pay off.”

But that hard work doesn’t end when training is over or when the weight room closes for college athletes, the work never ends. Keeping up with the academic side for athletes during the NCAA Tournament becomes a much more daunting task. Without attending classes due to traveling during the College Cup, Corriveau and the UVA Men’s Soccer program would have to do their work on the road.

The Virginia Cavaliers played five games in three weeks traveling from Virginia to Indiana, from Indiana to Washington D.C. and from D.C. to North Carolina. 

“The most difficult part has to be the expectation of college professors that we have the same ability to perform in school as regular students when our free time isn't nearly the same with all the obligations we have,” said Corriveau.

Corriveau has a different type of pressure than most other men’s soccer players at UVA for the mere fact that he wears the no.10, as a sophomore none the less. UVA has seen some of the best midfielders the United States has to offer come through the program, most notably, Claudio Reyna, formerly of Manchester City, as well as American legend, John Harkes.

“When you look at all the great players that have gone through here and worn the no. 10 it makes you really think that you have to perform at their level and constantly push yourself,” said Corriveau. “People expect the no. 10 to be the best player on the field so it is a challenge, but a good one.”

The Cavaliers followed up their historic fall campaign with a trip to England which they've just completed. UVA dismantled the Crystal Palace U21s 4-0 and earned two draws against the Blackburn and Burnley U21s.

Keep it here for weekly installments, as we expose some of the greatest and poorest aspects of college soccer as told by the players.

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#CollegeSoccerExposed - Indiana Hoosiers Goalkeeper Colin Webb is Next in Line on CSE

Big Ten Goalkeeper, Colin Webb is making noise in Bloomington, Indiana for the Hoosiers. After an exciting first year for IU, Webb followed it up with an even better sophomore season.

Before coming to Indiana, Webb was involved with the U.S. Youth National team in both the U15 and U17 pools. But his experience goes much further than state side. During his time in the youth system, Webb traveled over seas on multiple occasions matching up with some of the world's best academies. Storied club Tottenham Hotspur in London, England would be his first destination, only to be one upped by a trip to Sporting Lisbon of Portugal. Webb would conclude his youth academy exploits with a valuable experience at Zico FC in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Freshman year at Indiana would be one to remember for Webb. After shutting down Northwestern, earning his first ever Big Ten win and shutout, Webb would be named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. Following his impressive regular season, Webb found himself in a pressure filled environment heading into the Big Ten Tournament against conference rivals, Michigan. But Webb would shine throughout the tournament solidifying wins against Michigan, Penn and Michigan State on his way to a Big Ten Championship and a Big Ten Defensive Player of the Tournament selection to add to his accolades.

Webb's second season with the Hoosiers came beckoning and the San Diego, California native answered the call. The IU Goalkeeper was named Adidas/IU Credit Union Classic All-Tournament team after gritty performances against #9 Georgetown and #12 Marquette to open up the season. But directly following his opening weekend heroics, Webb would be named to the Mike Berticelli Memorial All-Tournament Team due to a shutout and penalty kick save over Dartmouth. Webb would go on to accumulate yet another Big Ten Defensive player of the Week honor as well as an appearance on the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week. 

#CollegeSoccerExposed caught up with Webb to get his point of view on college soccer, his international ventures and the experience of playing for one of the best college programs in the country. 

CSE - Fundamental: What's the best part about college soccer?

Webb: The best part of college soccer for me is the platform it provides me to develop as a goalkeeper while also receiving a degree from one of the best business schools in the country. Without the time crunch to jump to the pros that many field players experience I am able to set myself up for a life after soccer.

CSE - Fundamental: What's the worst part about college soccer?

Webb: The worst part about college soccer is everything that has to do with the NCAA. From the structure of the season that packs too many games into a short amount of time and then forces maximum regulated hours, to the rules that are not FIFA official, there is a lot that needs to be done if college soccer is going to continue to play a role in the development of soccer players in this country. The good news is that a lot of progress is being made and changes could be seen within the next 2-3 years.

CSE - Player Specific: What kind of pressure, if any, comes with being the starting goalkeeper for such a decorated program like Indiana?

Webb: Playing at Indiana which has such a decorated history means that good isn’t good enough. You don’t come to Indiana because you want to play in the NCAA Tournament, you come to Indiana expecting to win a National Championship. You’re surrounded by these accolades and many of the people who won them on a daily basis and you feel that if you leave Indiana without winning a National Championship or being an All-American you haven’t left your mark on the program. At most schools the bar isn’t set to that standard so you don’t feel the same amount of pressure to get better day in and day out in order to leave your mark on the program.

CSE - Player Specific: Before you came to Indiana, you had the opportunity to train at Sporting Lisbon and Tottenham Hotspur; compare the level of play and the atmosphere at those academies to college soccer in the US.

Webb: Having trained internationally in those academies, there is no question that there was a different desire in those places to become a pro. For many of the players in those academies soccer was all they had. There wasn’t a backup plan if they didn’t make it so that pressure brought out that extra edge in training. In college I’d say maybe 3-5 guys per team at the top 20 programs actually believe that they are going to make a living being a professional soccer player so the desire to make sure all the little detail boxes are checked day in and day out isn’t the same. Where this intrinsic motivation of the entirety of the team may be lacking I think the culture of a program like Indiana provides the extrinsic motivation for the individuals on our team to push every day.

CSE - Player Specific: What's the next step for you in your soccer career?

Webb: The next step for me personally is to build off of the season I had last fall. I saw a lot of development between my freshman and sophomore seasons that came with maturity and experience and I would like to carry that momentum into next season. With a lot fewer games between now and August I’m able to really to refine some of my technique and work on the areas that will take my game to the next level. My goal is to be the Big Ten Goalkeeper of the year next year and the little details day in and day out are what it’s going to take to make that happen.

The United States is renowned for producing world class goalkeepers and Indiana might have the next one on their squad. Webb was also named to the Big Ten All-Academic Team in 2014.

Keep it here for weekly installments, as we expose some of the greatest and poorest aspects of college soccer as told by the players. 

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#CollegeSoccerExposed - Former College Cup Champion and Current Professional; Leon Brown

Former University of Notre Dame forward, Leon Brown signed a professional contract last week for the Real Monarchs of the United Soccer League, #CollegeSoccerExposed exclusively learned. Following a standout career with the Fighting Irish where he helped bring the first College Cup Championship to South Bend, Indiana, Brown announced he would be transitioning into the professional ranks.

After being named 2009/2010 Gatorade Massachusetts Player of the Year, Brown moved on to Notre Dame where he would play in 63 games scoring 14 goals and nine assists over the course of his collegiate career.

During the 2013 season, Brown allotted five goals and three assists including the equalizer for ND in the College Cup Final against the University of Maryland Terrapins.

His current team, the Real Monarchs, are official affiliates with Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer providing a direct route to the MLS for Brown pending an impressive rookie campaign.

#CollegeSoccerExposed got Brown's take on college soccer, his time with Notre Dame and his plans with the Real Monarchs.

CSE - Fundamental: What's the best part about college soccer?

Brown: I'd say the best part about college soccer is being able to get a great education while playing the game I love. Soccer won't last forever so being able to get an education while playing is a benefit that will last my whole life. The team camaraderie is also something that you don't get at any other level. In club soccer, you don't see your teammates everyday like you do in college so you develop stronger bonds with guys. And once money becomes an incentive in the pros, it can change the way a lot of guys play the game. So in college soccer, you see players all buy in for one similar goal.

CSE - Fundamental: What's the worst part about college soccer?

Brown: The worst part about college soccer is its rules, there should be similar rules to FIFA, maybe the only exception being the substitution rule so that more players are given the opportunity to represent their school. A longer season could also be beneficial since it could allow for more time in between games, especially at the conference tournament and college cup weekend when there are two games in three days. That doesn't allow for the best quality from players on the field as legs get tired in the finals.

CSE - Player Specific: Talk about what it was like winning the college cup as well as scoring the equalizer in the final.

Brown: Winning the college cup was the best day of my life so far. It was really just the result of all 30 guys on our roster buying in and doing whatever it took to win, no matter what their specific role on the team might have been. From Harry Shipp, a 2013 Hermann trophy finalist to our freshman walk-on, every single guy worked for each other from January of that year until the final whistle blew in the national championship. Scoring in that game was also obviously something I'll never forget, but it was just me going out there and doing the job I was called upon to do. Coming in off the bench so early wasn't easy to do but I was able to get into the game and give our team the boost we needed down 1-0. I felt I should've scored another in that game so I'm glad my roommate at the time, Andrew O'Malley, was able to bail me out with a great header.

CSE - Player Specific: How has the level of play at Notre Dame helped you to improve as a player?

Brown: The level of play at ND was as good as it gets in college soccer. The staff, from our coaches to our trainer to our strength and conditioning coach and everyone else who does the work that goes unseen to the public, they all put us in a good position to succeed with all their great preparation, and then it's just up to us to produce on the pitch. It's definitely the most professional environment I've been in so far and my growth both as a player and as a person can be credited to everything I learned there.

CSE - Player Specific: Whats the next step for you in your soccer career?

Brown: I'm now heading out to Salt Lake City on Sunday to play for the Real Monarchs of the USL, affiliates of Real Salt Lake. They've given me a great opportunity to make it as a professional so I just want to make the most out of it and help the team be as good as we can be. I'm excited to get out there and back on the field with a new organization that's looking to make an immediate impact in the USL.

It's clear that college soccer has impacted this young professional, but Brown has taken the pass less traveled in the states. An American out of college signing professional without going through the draft; begs the question,what purpose does the draft truly serve? With seniors in college consistently by passing the draft and signing contracts, could the draft be obsolete?

Keep it here for weekly installments, as we expose some of the greatest and poorest aspects of college soccer as told by the players. 

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#CollegeSoccerExposed Catches Up With ACC Freshman Sensation Zach Knudson

2014 Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshman Team selection, Zach Knudson is up next on #CollegeSoccerExposed.

Previously starring for U.S. Development Academy power, PDA, Knudson moved on to NC State after an impressive run in the academy system. Going into his senior year in high school, Knudson was classified as a four-star recruit and ranked 24th in New Jersey by Topdrawersoccer.com. 

While Knudson has spent the majority of his development stateside, he's no stranger to world-renowned youth academies. Over the course of Knudson's upbringing, he's had the opportunity to travel to both Colombia and Spain for training stints. 

During the 2013 Capelli Sport/Newark Liberty International Soccer Summit in Newark, N.J., PDA met with Queens Park Rangers Football Club of England which saw Knudson net the equalizer for the Americans. The 2013 Capelli Sport/Newark Liberty International Soccer Summit also played host to youth academies such as Inter Milan, Liverpool and Maccabi Haifa FC most notably.

Knudson hit the ground running for NC State this past fall finishing with four goals and two assists in 17 games securing third in total offense for the Wolfpack with a combined ten points. The 19 year-old from Oakland, N.J. was the lone representative for NC State on the ACC All-Freshman team which culminated with a selection to the New York Redbulls U23 side for the summer of 2015. 

#CollegeSoccereExposed caught up with Knudson to get his thoughts on college soccer, what it's like overseas and his plans for the summer. 

CSE - Fundamental: What's the best part about college soccer?

Knudson: The best part about college soccer is being able to play the game I love while acquiring an education. Nowhere else in the world allows athletes to be able to compete at a top level while pursuing a degree. Becoming educated is vital and college gives the best of both worlds; education and athletics.

CSE - Fundamental: What's the worst part about college soccer?

Knudson: The worst part about college soccer is the condensed schedule, packing so many games into such a short span of time [isn't beneficial for players]. To begin, it doesn't allow the proper amount of time to recover fully. Second, everyone is more injury prone due to fatigue. Lastly, due to the constant physical injuries, players are never given the proper amount of time to fully recover, preventing them from being seen at their peak.

CSE - Player Specific: Describe what it was like playing in Colombia and Spain and compare the level of play/atmosphere to college soccer.

Knudson: Colombia, Spain, and the United States vary in level and style of play. Colombian soccer is more technical, flashy and aggressive, however it lacks tactics. Spain is a very fast paced and technical style. South American & European cultures are influenced heavily by soccer, creating a soccer focused atmosphere. College soccer is much more physical than European & South American soccer, however it lacks technical presence. Also, being that American culture isn't heavily influenced by soccer as much, it is overall a less exciting environment.

CSE - Player Specific: After a solid rookie season with NC State, how do you plan to build on this past season and what are some of your goals heading into your sophomore year?

Knudson: Sophomore season is a big year for all division one athletes. It's a year that can put you on the radar for greater things; I plan on focusing on all my weaker areas throughout the course of this spring to make improvements. Spring and summer are going to be a huge part of coming into next fall in prime shape, physically and technically. I hope to be able to make the ACC First-Team, double my goal count, and help the team make an NCAA tournament appearance.

CSE - Player Specific: What does it mean to play for the New York Redbulls U23 team this summer?

Knudson: Playing with an MLS academy offers huge benefits. It allows me to play at the highest amateur level, while working with some of the greatest coaches within a competitive environment. This is a great opportunity for me to become a better player and I look forward to working with the staff and players throughout the course of this summer.

If Knudson continues in the direction he's going and reaches some of the goals he's set for next season, he might be one to watch for in the not so distant future. Keep it here for weekly installments, as we expose some of the greatest and poorest aspects of college soccer as told by the players. 

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#CollegeSoccerExposed - "The Second Coming" : Ian Harkes

Former United States Men's National Team Captain, John Harkes was one of the first American's to make it to the English Premier League. Harkes was the face of U.S. Soccer in the 90's and has been retired for just over 13 years. Now that his playing days are over, Harkes has been running his own radio show in the Washington D.C. area; and while this USMNT pioneer has been trying his craft on the radio, the next generation has been on the rise.

The son of this National Soccer Hall of Famer is current Wake Forest University midfielder Ian Harkes, seemingly the next in line. After being born in Derby, England, Ian and the Harkes family settled down in Fairfax, Virginia. He would go on to prove his worth in the academy system of possibly the most storied Major League Soccer franchise, D.C. United. As a budding star, Harkes carved up the high school soccer scene and was named a High School All-American by the NSCAA along with receiving an invitation to the coveted High School All-American game; ultimately attracting the attention of the Wake Forest Coaching Staff.

While at Wake Forest, Harkes has made an immediate impact for the Demon Deacons. In his freshman season, Harkes was the only player to start every game which culminated with a selection to the ACC All-Freshman Team.

Following his stellar rookie campaign, sophomore year took him one step further as Harkes was named to the ACC All-Second Team. #CollegeSoccerExposed sat down with Harkes to get his take on the good and the bad of college soccer, D.C. United Academy, the weight that comes with his name and what the future has in store for him.

CSE - Fundamental: What's the best part about college soccer?

Harkes: I would say one of the most rewarding aspects of college soccer is representing your college on the national stage against some of the best players older, younger, and your same age. There is a focus that comes with being a college student-athlete that makes you work hard and dedicate yourself to the sport as well.

CSE - Fundamental: What's the worst part about college soccer?

Harkes: I think one of the worst things about being a college soccer player is how short the season is and not being able to have a full year season.

CSE - Player Specific: How has D.C. United Academy helped you develop as a player?

Harkes: D.C. United Academy helped me prepare for the college level with the level of competition they provided and gave me a way to play a quality brand of soccer.

CSE - Player Specific: What are some aspects you personally deal with soccer wise that are directly related with being the son of John Harkes?

Harkes: I haven't really felt too much pressure from fans but there is an unspoken expectation that I feel and one that I actually put on myself to be the best that I can be because of my name. I don't feel pressure to be as good as my dad and I have felt no pressure from him or my parents to even play the game. However, I am inspired by him and love the game.

CSE - Player Specific: What does the future hold for you in regards to your soccer career?

Harkes: I hope my future does involve soccer because it is something I am passionate about and hopefully I will one day be able to play professionally. I know that this is a difficult dream to achieve but Wake Forest is hopefully helping me get one step closer.

There is no denying Harkes comes from one of the most soccer affluent families in the United States and he seems to be well on his way towards making a mark similar to his father's on U.S. Soccer. His arrival on the professional stage might just be imminent.

Stay locked in to see which future star from college soccer is up next on #CollegeSoccerExposed.