It has been a great few days for Olé Football Academy with three USA based players receiving opportunities in Major League Soccer (MLS) and United Soccer Leagues (USL).
On January 18th, 2018, Kyle Adams was announced as one of five new signings for the 2018 USL season by Rio Grande Valley FC, Houston Dynamo’s affiliate team. This is Adam’s first professional contract after a successful university career for San Diego State University. Adam’s returned to Olé last winter where he was a member of the 2017 Central League champions, Western Suburbs, before he returned for his final season with SDSU.
Three days later, on January 21st, both Cory Brown and Elliot Collier were selected in the third round of the MLS Super Draft. Brown, drafted number 62 by Vancouver Whitecaps, had a standout career while at Xavier University where he spent 2 years leading the team as captain, while totalling 80 appearances at Centre Back for the Musketeers. Collier, drafted number 49 by Chicago Fire, spent his university career at Loyola University Chicago where he scored 15 goals and collected 11 assists in his 69 games for the Ramblers. Both Brown and Collier will be given the chance to impress their respective coaching staffs during pre season before decisions will be made regarding signing for the MLS teams or their USL affiliates.
As shown by Cory, Elliot and Kyle, the US University system is one of many paths that young Kiwi players can take in order to reach the professional level.
