Three more with Yannick Smith

Photo Credit: Old Dominion University Athletics

A member of the Houston Dynamo's preseason roster, Yannick Smith commented in a December 2012 email about his collegiate career, his preparation for the combine including chatting with David Horst and his hopes for a professional career for his recent profile at Football Friendlies.

The interview included three other questions that did not make the profile. Here are his responses offering further insight especially around Smith's balance of academics and athletics; in 2012 he was a CoSIDA Academic All-District III selection.

1. How were you able to balance your academic and athletic priorities?

My whole life my parents have harped on me always to keep my grades up so when I got to college that didn’t change. I just kept myself on a schedule making sure I did my work as early as possible so I was never swamped. I scheduled all my classes in the morning - so I could do my work before training - or in the evening if needed. Once I stuck to the schedule I had set for myself keeping up with my grades and soccer was not an issue.

2. What's one aspect of your game that you feel gets overlooked?

I believe I am a much smarter player than I get credit for. I feel I have a very good understanding of the game and how it should be played. At times that may get over looked because I am usually all the way up the field and not in the middle of the field where I can really show my soccer I.Q. but I do believe I am an intelligent player.

3. Toughest field to visit in the Colonial Athletic Association?

Easy question, Northeastern by far, it’s not even close. It’s always cold up there (it snowed last time we played there). It’s also an older turf field and I played on grass at ODU, and on top of all of that they’re always a good team. They are always ready to play and in my two trips up there we didn’t score a goal and they played two great games against us. Their fans are also rowdy and try to get in your head. I do believe our atmosphere at ODU is one of the best in the nation but the toughest place to play is Northeastern by far.

Link:
1) Houston Dynamo official site

Former Old Dominion standout Yannick Smith offered chance to compete with Major League Soccer's Houston Dynamo

Photo Credit: Old Dominion University Athletics

Former Old Dominion standout Yannick Smith, drafted by the Houston Dynamo with the 75th pick in the fourth round at the 2013 MLS supplemental draft, savored the moment offering up effusive replies to Dynamo faithful via Twitter. He also took to the social media platform and cheekily noted his place in the draft as Mr. Irrelevant, the term coined for the event's final selection.

Now Smith will work towards maintaining his place on the Dynamo roster, and with it an all-important professional contract, as Houston's February training camp rolls toward the season kick off this March. Before joining the professional ranks, the attacking player completed a massively successful collegiate career with the Old Dominion University Monarchs. He ended his career ninth on the all-time goal list and 11th all-time in assists.

Primarily, a center forward in college, Smith transitioned to a left-side attacking role during his senior season, becoming more of a facilitator versus a finisher.

"The majority of my life I've played center forward, but this year I was more of a left winger," Smith said via a December 2012 email interview. "At first it was frustrating because I did not understand the position completely but as the season went on I got more and more comfortable with it."

Smith's training sessions during the 2012 summer often focused on his positional change. "I put an emphasis on working on my combination play," the Dynamo draft pick said. "At ODU we played a very attractive brand of soccer and it's made me a much better player; last summer was devoted to my touch, passing, and playing quicker."

Upon completion of his senior season, Smith earned an invite to the 2013 Major League Soccer Combine held in Florida. Like many combine invitees, he was able to rely upon a former collegiate teammate for advice and guidance. Old Dominion alumnus, David Horst, a 27-year-old defender currently with the Portland Timbers, spoke with Smith about the expectations that come with the event.

"Once I found out I was selected to the combine, I wanted to reach out to Dave to talk to him but he beat me to it," Smith said. "Dave has been a great help, always giving me positive advice and I’m extremely grateful he reached out to me when he did not need to."

Prior to the combine in December, Smith noted some areas in need of improvement as he looked to transition to the pro ranks. "I want to continue working on my touch and get stronger," Smith said. "I believe I have a lot to bring a professional team and if I can continue to improve those parts of my game it will only give my game more versatility."

In the coming weeks, Smith will work towards cementing his roster standing with Houston. Perhaps he might even join the Dynamo's list of late-round draft picks who through development and patience went on to achieve at the sport's highest level.

Links:
1) Old Dominion University Athletic Website
2) Dynamo Theory - A Houston Dynamo Community at SB Nation
3) Yannick Smith Twitter @Yanaldinho4
4) Old Dominion University Athletic Website
5) Geoff Cameron Profile at Football Friendlies

Re-Post: January 2011: 2011 MLS Draft Profile: Notre Dame midfielder/forward Jeb Brovsky

Heralded by the pundits in attendance at the recent Major League Soccer Player Combine as of the event's more capable participants, former Notre Dame midfielder/forward Jeb Brovsky deserves to hear his name called at today's 2011 Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

Soccer By Ives has Brovsky listed as a second-round selection in the web site's final 2011 MLS mock draft.

Draft analyst Joe Mauceri who operates Pro Player Pipeline noted that Brovsky had a good game in both defense as well as in the attack in the final game at the Combine.

Brovsky, prior to the Combine, commented on his discussions with former Notre Dame teammates who previously attended the event. Players such as Ryan Miller, Matt Besler, Justin Morrow and Bright Dike discussed with Brovsky the interactions and expectations that transpire at the Combine in Florida.

"All of them had good showings at the combine and simply told me to play like I know how to and enjoy it," Brovsky said via email.

Brovsky played left back during the final game in Florida but is versatile enough to play in the midfield and in the attack if needed at the pro level as he did during his collegiate career.

"I definitely think that is one of my greatest assets as a player and hopefully will play to my advantage in the future," he said.

One advantage that Brovsky came into the combine with was that he trained in Colorado before the event in stark contrast of those who chose to train closer to sea level.

"Colorado is great because it makes me train at a higher altitude and really opens up the lungs."

With the Combine complete, Brovsky will make the jump to the professional ranks as a 2011 MLS SuperDraft selection. Only one question remains. What franchise will select the former Notre Dame standout?

"I have aspired to play at the next level since as early as I can remember and look forward to getting the opportunity."

MLS Combine 2013: Dylan Tucker-Gangnes Helped Return UW Men's Soccer to the National Stage

Photo credit: Stephen Brashear via University of Washington Athletics

The recent history of the University of Washington men’s soccer program includes several players who jumped from the collegiate to the professional game. Former Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Ely Allen scored off a Dave Beckham assist, FC Dallas defender George John continued to showcase his defensive skills and this past season center back Taylor Mueller earned first-team minutes with the Charleston Battery.

Now, two more former Huskies look to translate collegiate success into a Major League Soccer roster spot as center back Dylan Tucker-Gangnes (6-3/190) and midfielder Ben Fisk recently received invitations to the 2013 MLS Combine. Tucker-Gangnes and Fisk both landed a spot on the 2012 NCAA Division I Men’s All-Far West Region team; for Tucker-Gangnes, it was as a member of the All-Far West Region's First Team.

And unlike John's squad in 2008 and Mueller's in 2010, the 2012 senior co-captains finally guided the team to the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament as the Huskies returned to the 48-team playoff, the first appearance since back-to-back runs in 2006 and ‘07.

“It was satisfying to get back into the tournament; winning the first-round match was big,” Tucker-Gangnes said via phone.

After a 1-0 NCAA First-Round victory over Air Force in Seattle, the Huskies traveled to Omaha, Nebraska succumbing 4-2 to a spirited Creighton squad. “Of course, I am bitter about the Second-Round loss, but you have to give Creighton credit, they won,” the standout from Bainbridge Island, Washington said.

Tucker-Gangnes, critical to UW’s return to the national stage, combined physical attributes with a new-found offensive confidence taken from his trainings with assistant coach Craig Waibel. A 12-year professional for a host of Major League Soccer teams, Waibel, a UW soccer alum, joined the Huskies staff in 2012 after a stop at the University of Michigan.

“I approached my off-season before the 2012 collegiate year a little differently as I was nursing an injury,” Tucker-Gangnes said before remarking, “Coach Waibel and I worked on adding to my toolbox as I wanted to take my game to the next level.”

Player and coach focused on the center back’s offensive game, especially with regards to maximizing his abilities in the box on set pieces.

“Our team lacked some offensive prowess up front so we played for set pieces,” the defender said. With tutelage from Waibel, the Huskies co-captain added knowledge around timing his runs more effectively, losing his mark and finding the ball in the air; the defender ended with eight goals, two of which were game winners.

After a successful collegiate career, Tucker-Gangnes looks now to his professional prospects. The center back, excited to hear of his invitation to the 2013 Major League Soccer Combine, currently is down in Oregon training for the event. “I’m fine tuning everything,” Tucker-Gangnes said.



Video via Jeff Rowland YouTube Channel

SBI launches second version of 2013 MLS Mock Draft

On Friday, Soccer By Ives, one of the world's top soccer destinations, published the second version of its 2013 Major League Soccer mock draft.

Ives Galarcep's top five includes 2013 Generation adidas members Mikey Lopez (North Carolina), Walker Zimmerman (Furman), J.J. Johnson (VCU), Eriq Zavaleta (Indiana) and expected top-overall pick Andrew Farrell (Louisville).

Keep tuned in for additional combine and draft updates.

2013 MLS Combine and SuperDraft Coverage Center

Check back often for articles, interviews and player profiles as the march towards the 2013 Major League Soccer SuperDraft begins.

Combine and SuperDraft Schedules

+ Friday, Jan. 11
2 p.m. -- adiPower vs. Prime
3:45 p.m -- adiZero vs. adiPure

+ Sunday, Jan. 13
1:30 p.m. -- adiPower vs. adiZero
3:30 p.m. -- Prime vs. adiPure

+ Tuesday, Jan. 15
10 a.m. -- adiZero vs. Prime
11:55 a.m. -- adiPower vs. adiPure

+ Thursday, Jan. 17
The Major League Soccer SuperDraft begins at noon at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. The draft comprises of two rounds totaling 38 overall selections. A four-round supplemental draft will take place via conference call on Tuesday, Jan. 22.

Player Interviews and Profiles

+ Dylan Tucker-Gangnes - Washington Huskies

+ Luke Spencer - Xavier Musketeers

Articles of Note

+ 2013 Mock Draft Version 2.0 via Soccer By Ives

+ Generation adidas-splosion via No Short Corners

+ 2013 MLS SuperDraft Big Board (Version 3.0) via Soccer By Ives

+ 2013 MLS SuperDraft Coverage via SBNATION.com

+ Ten MLS Combine snubs worth a look ~ Written by J.R. Eskilson & Travis Clark at TopDrawerSoccer.com

2013 MLS Combine: Luke Spencer Xavier Forward Player Profile

Xavier's Luke Spencer (6-2/195) ended his four-year career with the Musketeers as one of the program's most accomplished attackers.

The Cincinnati native finished with 29-career goals coupled with 21-career assists.

In 2012, the forward paced the Atlantic 10 with 14 goals; the play-maker notched eight assists on the season as well. The Musketeers fell to eventual national champion Indiana in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Here's Spencer's late goal that lifted the Musketeers to the program's first ever NCAA tournament win, followed by a highlight video.





Videos via Xavier Musketeers YouTube Channel

2013 MLS Combine Forward Invitees List

Bates, Finley, Bennett, Hurtado and Welshman lead this talented group.

+ Will Bates (UVA)
+ Luke Spencer (Xavier) Player Profile
+ Ryan Finley (Notre Dame)
+ Ashton Bennett (Coastal Carolina)
+ Don Anding (Northeastern)
+ Yannick Smith (ODU)
+ Devon Sandoval (New Mexico)
+ Emery Welshman (Oregon State)
+ Coleton Henning (Furman)
+ Chris Thomas (Elon)
+ Erik Hurtado (Santa Clara)

2013 MLS Combine Midfielder Invitees List

Powers, Alvarez and Stertzer highlight a strong senior midfield list.

+ Kyle Bekker (Boston College)
+ John Stertzer (Maryland)
+ Colin Murphy (Boston College)
+ Jonathan Mendoza (Stetson)
+ Donald Smith (Charlotte)
+ Paolo DelPiccolo (Louisville)
+ Greg Cochrane (Louisville)
+ Leston Paul (USF)
+ Ian Christianson (Georgetown)
+ Carlos Alvarez (UConn)
+ Dillon Powers (Notre Dame)
+ Marc Cintron (Providence)
+ Machael David (UCSB)
+ Paul Wyatt (James Madison)
+ Tommy Nelson (SMU)
+ Uwem Etuk (West Virginia)
+ Jose Gomez (Creighton)
+ Blake Smith (New Mexico)
+ Ryan Hollingshead (UCLA)
+ Fernando Monge (UCLA)
+ Ben Fisk (Washington)
+ Dan Delgado (San Diego)

2013 MLS Combine Defender Invitees List

Impressive senior list includes Muller, Schoenle and Tucker-Gangnes.

+ Taylor Kemp (Maryland)
+ Danny Wenzel (Wake Forest)
+ Jordan Gafa (North Carolina)
+ Brenton Griffiths (USF)
+ Jimmy Nealis (Georgetown)
+ Tommy Muller (Georgetown)
+ Eric Schoenle (West Virginia)
+ John Gallagher (Penn State)
+ Kofi Opare (Michigan)
+ Joe Franco (CSU-Northridge)
+ Shaun Foster (Hofstra)
+ Andrew Ribeiro (Creighton)
+ Kory Kindle (CSU-Bakersfield)
+ Dylan Tucker-Gangnes (Washington)

2013 MLS Combine Goalkeeper Invitees List

A strong group of invitees headlined by Jackson, Withrow, Soffner and Belshaw.

+ James Belshaw (Duke)
+ Scott Goodwin (North Carolina)
+ Luis Soffner (Indiana)
+ Daniel Withrow (Marshall)
+ Brad Stuver (Cleveland State)
+ David Meves (Akron)
+ Larry Jackson (Santa Clara)