College Soccer  

A player's story

Read the story of his identification and training in ODP by TSi Director of Coaching, Mark Mallon, leading to his recruitment and CAL - Berkeley career..and ultimate signing with LA Galaxy ...as the  #7 draft in MLS.

Troy's agent was a former assistant of Coach Mallon's at UC Berkeley.

Troy Roberts - LA Galaxy & Cleveland City Stars

Read the whole story...and interview with LA Galaxy player Troy Roberts.    Spotlight article!

The Soccer Institute 


Sportsmanship

We facilitate the development
 of strength and character in every child that participates.

The TSi Premier FC soccer club based in Geauga & Lake County, Ohio with year round training programs
to accelerate the growth of players in the region. 

The TSi Premier FC program sponsored by The Soccer Institute shares our full commitment to provide a positive influence in the lives of our players. 



We welcome all children,  regardless of race, creed or national origin.

TSi is pleased to provide a service to our local community by offering a healthy outlet where every child and young athlete can pursue their athletic goals
and development in preparation of  play in a premier club,  HS, and college.

 
TSi Summer CAMPS  and Training Programs are open to players from all across the US. 

The Soccer Institute

College Soccer Spotlight   

BERKELEY - California sophomore forward earned a spot on the NSCAA/adidas All-America third team, Wiedeman was named to the NSCAA Far West All-Region first team.

"Wiedeman, a forward from San Ramon, Calif., was also named to the All-Pac-10 first team and the Pac-10 All-Academic second team. He finished a strong sophomore campaign with a team-best 29 points (12G, 5A). He ended the season recording at least a point in the final six games and scored Cal's last three goals of the year. Wiedeman earned Pac-10 Player of the Week honors after a five-point weekend to open the campaign. He scored in double overtime when Cal beat UC Santa Barbara in the second round of the NCAA Tournament."           Source...Cal Bears News Release 



                                         2003 San Ramon Knights U13 Team  
                                   (Wiedeman top row 3rd from left)  Coach Mallon (top right)

Youth Soccer teammates....together again at Cal !

Andrew Wiedeman and David Bingham are teammates at Cal where they are continuing a legacy of success which dates back to 1996 when the Cal team achieved a school record #2 national ranking in mid October with a very young squad coached by Mark Mallon, the TSi Director of Coaching and Player Development.


Cal player's Chris Roner (MLS - San Jose Earthquakes) and Troy Roberts MLS - Los Angeles Galaxy) were the first MLS draftees from Berkeley and have paved the way for several others in the last few years.

Andrew Wiedeman and David Bingham are both likely to be next on the list of Cal players to sign professional contracts in the future. 

*Update January 14, 2010 Andrew Wiedeman becomes a professional MLS player for FC Dallas...

Click video blog of Andrew Wiedeman at MLS Superdraft after selection to FC Dallas 

The irony of their story ....is that they've been teammates since age nine on the San Ramon Knights team in the San Francisco Bay Area.    

David Bingham, a two time US National Team Super Y League Goalkeeper selection was also a great striker as a youth player.  He scored the lone goal for the U12 San Ramon Knights team in the State Championship match and got the first goal in the semi-final against Clovis paving the way for a 3-0 victory and ticket to the State Championship game.  

"David is a gifted athlete and has always been a great competitor"...said Mallon who coached both Bingham and Wiedeman on the San Ramon Knights team from U9 - U13.   "I have no doubt that he will fulfill his career ambitions as a professional goalkeeper in Europe... David will likely be the best goalkeeper in collegiate soccer in 2010." 

His father, Greg Bingham, was instrumental  in his early development as a Goalkeeper ...said Mallon.  I hired Greg to be the Goalkeeper trainer for the SRSC because of his ability to teach fundamentals and develop goalkeepers.   Considering he trained his daughter..Kim who became a US National Team player...and David who will likely reach the same level....it's quite obvious that Greg is one of the best.

"I would say they are the "first family of Goalkeepers in America" and that legacy will likely be expanded to Europe in a few years as David is exceptional and has all the tools to be among the world elite in the future."
Mark Mallon - Director of Coaching & Player Development
The Soccer Institute - USA

David Bingham
Youth Soccer:  San Ramon Knights - CYSAN State Finalist coached by Mark Mallon.

Later in his youth career David played for the Mustang United club that made it to the Super Y-League Under-17 National Championships in 2007...in 2006 and 2007, he was a USL Super Y-League national team member.

High School: ...a three-year varsity starter at California High School in San Ramon.  He had 13 shutouts and a .60 goals-against average his senior year...

College: ...University of California - Berkeley  (Golden Bears). 

Honors:  Bay Area's all-area team and a first-team selection to the All-Tri Valley Times team.

Personal: 6' 5"  185 lb Goalkeeper at Cal
Undeclared major at the University of California - Berkeley.   Parents are Greg and Lisa Bingham... David's sister Kim was also an excellent Goalkeeper.  She played with the U.S. women's national team after her collegiate career at Arizona State...David plans to play professionally in Europe. 

Read more about Andrew Wiedeman  


High School:  California HS in San Ramon.   Four-year letterwinner .a first-team all-EBAL pick as a junior.
Club:   San Ramon Knights - State Finalist U12 Team
Later captained Mustang United ...

Honors:  Super Y-League national team in 2006...played state ODP for four years and captained his most recent team...Personal: Social welfare major...parents are Kevin and Imelda Wiedeman...one of five siblings...hopes to own his own business...born in Oakland, Calif.     In 2007, Andrew was selected one of 23 collegiate men's soccer players to attend a training camp for the U.S. Men's Under-20 National team...  He was an All-Pac-10 second-team selection...
College Soccer News and Soccer America All-Freshman first team...led the Bears in points (20), goals (7) and assists (6)...scored the game-winning goal against UC Davis in the first round of the NCAA College Cup...named the Pac-10 Player of the Week and selected to Soccer America's Men's Team of the Week and College Soccer News' National Team of the Week on Oct. 9 for his six-point weekend against Washington (Oct. 5) and Oregon State (Oct. 7)...scored five game-winning goals in 2007...

National Team:  Played all three games for the U.S. Under-18 National team in the SBS Cup, recording an assist in the club's 1-0 victory over Japan...

Muscle Milk California Student-Athlete of the Week :: Andrew ...

2/15/2008 California forward Andrew Wiedeman has been selected as one of 23 collegiate men's soccer players who were invited to a domestic training camp for ...
www.farpostreport.com/index.php?option=com_search&searchword=andrew - 35k - Cached - Similar pages

COLLEGE SOCCER is the natural progression for talented and dedicated youth and high school players.  

 You probably spend a great deal of time all year training to improve your skills, fitness, and game play...

DID YOU KNOW....

         NCAA Rules require you to take specific CORE Courses to be eligible to play in college.
         NCAA Rules require you to maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average.
         NCAA Rules require you to take the SAT test and achieve a specific score to receive a scholarship.
         Most colleges have a sliding admission scale...factoring in both SAT scores and high school GPA.

COLLEGE SOCCER... A summary for the high school player

College coaches are busy people.  They have to train and monitor their current student athletes, scout opponents, handle administrative details (schedule games/team travel, budgeting, NCAA compliance) and of course there is the RECRUITING !

The United States is a big country....geographically and in population....so coaches can't see everyone!

High school players (also called prospects) will be competing for admission and limited scholarship funds with a lot of high school players from across the nation for that scholarship to the top programs. 

So you will likely need a few tips to get you started in the right direction.     See TIPS below.

How do you get recruited to play college soccer ?

Well...if you are very lucky...your high school or club coach knows all the college soccer coaches personally, has a good reputation with them for identifying and developing players that succeed in college so their recommendation is valued and gets you in the door.   Most high school players aren't so lucky...

High school prospects should take the initiative to send a letter with a resume to college coaches in their freshman year to request information that is required for admission to that school.   Many high school players wait until Junior year...when it's too late to make up missing core classes, or raise their GPA (Grade Point Average) high enough to meet certain college standards...like CAL and the IVY LEAGUE.

Playing high school and Premier club soccer provides prospects many advantages; the primary one is admissions support and for the elite player assistance with financing a college education.

         BENEFITS of being a recruited STUDENT - ATHLETE:

• Admission support by the athletic department may get you in to a top rated school.
• Athletic Scholarship funds for exceptional athletes.  Many opportunities for female soccer players!
• Academic Support for enrolled student athletes.
• Athletic housing, Team Travel, and building lifetime friendships.

Tips for HIGH SCHOOL players:    
1.      Send a letter right now to the college coaches at schools you are considering attending.
2.      In the letter include contact information, year of high school graduation, and playing awards/history.
4.      Ask the coach to send you the school requirements for admission. 
5.      Ask the coach about their recruiting needs for your year of graduation and if scholarship is available.
6.      You should watch the college team play, so you know their level of play, system, coaching methods. 
7.      Many high school recruits are unrealistic about their goals.   Everyone can't play division I !!!
8.      GET YOUR ACADEMICS IN ORDER NOW !     Coaches want responsible students that they don't have to follow around to get them to attend class and stay NCAA Eligible.   YOU become a much better prospect for the college coach to support with admissions if you have a good academic record.   

REMEMBER: College Coaches can only support a limited number of prospects each year!   

NOTE:  The Soccer Institute will provide you with a free sample prospect letter to college coaches.   
IT's FREE... we are just trying to help athletes and college coaches.           
Send email requests to:  info@TheSoccerInstitute.com for your     sample prospect letter.