2017 NPSL PLAYER SHOWCASE OFF TO A GREAT START

The NPSL Player Showcase has become a near staple event for the league; whose main purpose is to serve the top players in the NPSL with an opportunity to stand out and rise above the occasion to pursue a career in professional soccer. This year is no different as 66 players in total, from 37 different NPSL sides, descended upon Carson, California in anticipation for Sunday and Monday’s matches in front of countless number of coaches, scouts, and agents all eager to find the next best prospect from lower division American soccer spanning the top pyramids of the game: MLS, NASL, USL and abroad.

Saturday, all four regional teams – West, South, Midwest, and Northeast each held their own training sessions with their respective coaches that were assigned to them.

Heading up the West Region team was William Forte of the East Bay Stompers, as well as Robert Lopez-Guardado of Deportivo Coras USA. The South Region team trained with and is coached by Christopher Hanlon of the Joplin Demize. Moving to the Midwest Region side, they are led by Terry Lawriw of the defending national champions from AFC Cleveland, as well as accompanied by former MLS head coach, John Kowalski. Finally, the Northeast is to be coached by Kabba Joof of the Rhode Island Reds.

Tonight, the NPSL saw a handful of coaches and agents that were ahead of the curve in terms of scouting some of the NPSL’s top talent at training earlier this evening before the games begin tomorrow morning at the StubHub Center Track & Field Complex, where LA Galaxy II call their home pitch.

Prior to the boys getting underway on the training pitch, NPSL Chairman and Brooklyn Italians Vice President, Joe Barone admonished the players: “Believe in yourself, trust what has gotten you here this far and play your heart out these next few days.”

Each side trained for close to 75-minutes each and ended with a short scrimmage to end the night.

Coach John Kowalski had this to say post-training about why he’s so passionate about this showcase and was adamant about the unique skill set you will find represented at here. “My heart is in the business of helping these kids achieve a great accomplishment that would help open the door for them to play at the next level.”

Keenan Armbrust (F/LW/RW) of the Sacramento Gold and the West Region team was equally as excited about the quality and professionalism thus far about the event. “The atmosphere is something special being around other players chasing the dream.  You can tell the coaches are very well-equipped and want to help us further our development, hopefully culminating with an offer that we’ve worked so hard to get.”

Sunday’s sessions start bright and early with the West taking on the South at 10 a.m. PT, followed by the Northeast vs the Midwest at 11:40 a.m. PT.

Be on the lookout all over NPSL Soccer’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for updates throughout the morning from the StubHub Center Track & Field Complex.