Caps to NCAA

[JohnnyBlueNose]

Not sure if this is the correct section to post, but looks like the Vancouver Whitecaps is really developing some quality players and sending them over to the Division one level. My friends have recently told me a couple of their current/former U18 prospect players are heading south after turning down local offers. Here's what I found, Caps definitely deserve some credit and I thought I'd point it out. Maybe some prospects for the 2012 Olympics in the making?

Riley Newport 1991 born, midfielder, University of California, Davis

http://www.ucdavisaggies.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/newport_riley00.html

Ian Clark 1991 born, forward, California Polytechnic State University

http://www.gopoly.com/index.php?p=sports&id=29911&tab=roster&player=74321

Nolan Moore 1991 born, midfielder, California Polytechnic State University

http://www.gopoly.com/index.php?p=sports&tab=news&id=29911&article_id=91051

QiDian "Flo" Liu 1990 born, defender, University of Alabama at Birmingham ( name doesn't sound too Canadian to me but a product of Whitecaps regardless )

http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/041210aab.html

Jordan Michael 1990 born, midfielder/defender Holy Cross College

http://www.goholycross.com/sports/m-soccer/2010-11/bios/michael_jordan00.html

Darius Motazed 1989 born, GK, St.Francis University

http://www.francis.edu/SportsBioMSoccer.aspx?id=30696

Ben Hemphill, 1991 born, forward, University of Portland

http://www.portlandpilots.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1791&path=msoc

Justin Baarts, 1991 born, GK, University of Portland

http://www.portlandpilots.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1786&path=msoc

Not sure if Michael Nonni from UCSB was part of the program as well but he's certainly doing well and received his call up to the Olympic squad in January. Let's hope these kids get a chance as well.

[Admin]

Thanks for the info.

Just to play devils advocate... has the rate at which we place players in the NCAA changed, or rather changed from that area?

[JohnnyBlueNose]

Thanks for the info.

Just to play devils advocate... has the rate at which we place players in the NCAA changed, or rather changed from that area?

Neither. It's the program Whitecaps currently has. Not to mention how many they have placed into CIS..

http://www.canadawest.org/sports_team_story.aspx?id=9&storyid=1946

[tmcmurph]

Impressive. I knew they had an arrangement with one of the local universities but it is good to see the program placing so many in NCAA as well. Good news (and results) spreads fast and I'm sure that will create more interest in their program.

[red card]

I'm not sure if "developing quality players" and making it to the NCAA really go together. Good for those players and Whitecaps but in terms of national team prospects (even Olympics), this is grasping at straws. They're going to need more seasoning after the NCAA to compete.

[Jason]

I'm not sure if "developing quality players" and making it to the NCAA really go together. Good for those players and Whitecaps but in terms of national team prospects (even Olympics), this is grasping at straws. They're going to need more seasoning after the NCAA to compete.

True enough, but just putting more people into the player pool is a help. How many Canadian players have stopped taking soccer seriously after about the age of 18 when they had no decent options? And placing players in the NCAA is good for the Caps reputation.

It can't always be about the the most elite players only. Sometimes players come from the most unusual places and giving guys a chance to play helps. I remember even a guy like Onstad - was #3 keeper with the Impact, and he said he was ready to retire and become a teacher but had the chance to play for the expansion Toronto Lynx. Got some good game action in and the rest is history. Or a guy like Jazic who likely never would've played pro coming out of the Halifax system but had a connection to Croatia that gave him a chance.

Jason