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Leone Cruz

Postby mustangbill67 » Thu Dec 22, 2005 1:07 am

These are excerpts from an article concerning a recent camp for the top youth players in America. Leone Cruz has committed to the Mustangs and is currently playing for FC Texas a youth team of MLS FC Dallas. We need to sign three or four players of this caliber. Looks like we are going to really be tough on defense next year.


Cruz standouts among his peers
Marc Connolly

WINDSOR, Conn. - The sun settles on another round-the-clock day of soccer for the top 144 high school-aged soccer players in the country at adidas ESP (Elite Soccer Program). In the midst of it all former U.S. national team star Paul Caligiuri takes a long look around the immaculate playing fields at the Loomis Chaffee School, the 100 or so college coaches lining the sideline of the camp's all-star game and the quality of soccer that's currently on display before him.

"You know what?" asks the recent inductee into the National Soccer Hall of Fame after a moment of reflection. "This doesn't exist anywhere else in the world."

He's right. Whether you are speaking of Germany, Argentina, Brazil or Italy -- places where the game of soccer is practically embedded into your bloodstream sometime shortly after birth -- there's never a time when this many of the country's best young players are all together at once for a full six days. That's what makes adidas ESP, now in its ninth year since being founded in 1997, a can't-miss event for every single one of the top college programs in America.

Not only have several little-known players gone on to secure their collegiate futures with impressive performances at the camp that have led to immediate scholarship offers, but a select few others have parlayed strong showings at ESP into opportunities overseas with professional clubs.

After much consulting with over two dozen college coaches and several of the staff coaches at camp, the following 10 players emerged as the top players from the 2005 adidas ESP:

Leone Cruz, AU Capitals -- One coach was blunt after watching the Round Rock, Texas, resident standout in his first two matches: "He'll be a pro someday." With a 6-foot, 175-pound frame and toughness to go with it, the strong centerback is well on his way. Cruz stood out because he already looked like a collegiate player due to his size and organizing ability in the back. He's also good with his feet and makes solid well-timed runs into attack. The colleges he has an interest in are: SMU, Santa Clara, St. John's, New Mexico and UCLA.

Marc Connolly covers soccer for ESPN.com. He can be reached at: marc@oakwoodsoccer.com.
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