March 2018
February was a good month for Olé Academy players overseas and locally. Success has followed into March for many of the players.
EUROPE
In Portugal’s Primeira Liga, Tyler Boyd has started in the last 5 games for the team where he scored a goal and had an assist. Two of those games were against top four opponents, Braga and Sporting CP.
A little further North in Europe, Ryan Thomas and PEC Zwolle has had a tough run of form, losing 4 of their last 6 matches. Ryan was also given the captains armband twice at the start of February. PEC currently sit in 7th in the Eredivisie. Also in The Netherlands, Jesse Edge and his team, Achilles ’29 have had a tough time getting results. Jesse has been wearing the captains armband for the team.
Continuing North into Sweden, the Svenska Cup has been going on for the last month. Unfortunately for IFK Värnamo and Tyler Lissette, they were knocked out in the group stage. Tyler played in all three of IFK’s group games. The Superettan kicks off in early April.
The Norwegian 2nd division season doesn’t kick off until mid April, however Aaron Jones and his team Asker have been in pre season during the Norwegian Winter. Aaron has appeared in all pre season games so far.
AMERICA
Across in America, after getting drafted and then signed by Chicago Fire, Elliot Collier made his full professional debut in Chicago’s first MLS game of the 2018 season. Collier impressed during pre season as an unsigned draft pick, scoring a couple goals and was rewarded for his performances with a contract.
Kyle Adams also got some MLS experience when he was called up to Rio Grande Valley FC MLS affiliate, Houston Dynamo to train with the first team for the week. The USL season kicks off this weekend where it is expected that Kyle will make his debut for Rio Grande Valley FC.
NEW ZEALAND
Closer to home, the Olé boys at Auckland continue to make an impression in their first season at the club. Callum McCowatt has been finding the back of the net regularly recently in both ISPS Handa Premiership action and Oceania Champions League competition.
Dalton Wilkins also got on the score sheet twice during the teams O-League group stage. Owen Parker-Price made a successful return from injury in the last few weeks, while Harry Edge has found himself on the sidelines due to injury after some good performances earlier in 2018.
Last week, we welcomed back Elijah Just after a very positive experience for him at PEC Zwolle. As shown in Dutch Media, Elijah made a very positive impression in his performances in training and games. For now, it is great to have him back for the beginning of the Central League season.
