Pro Prospects: Mexico club finds partner

Pro Prospects: Mexico club finds partner
by J.R. Eskilson
August 26, 2015

 

Since Club Tijuana’s arrival in 2008, the Mexican team has been fairly active in courting the Southern California market - both for fans and for players. It has worked out for the club in the past and the present. U.S. U20 Men’s National Team standout Paul Arriola looks to be one of the most promising players at the club right now. Arriola, from Chula Vista, Calif., joined the club in 2013. 

Tijuana is taking the next step in reaching those players. Nomads, based in La Jolla, Calif., have established a relationship with the Liga MX side. 

“Nomads have entered into a collaboration to develop players with Xolos,” Nomads Technical Director Derek Armstrong told TopDrawerSoccer via email on Monday. “This includes both clubs sharing resources for that development. Nomads are playing in the USSF Academy with this support from the Xolos club in the staffing and training aspects. They have made available to us a train and an admin assistant. They hopefully will continue to support the club in the future and create a special relationship with the Nomads club.”

Nomads are coming off an Academy season where they just missed out on the playoffs in the U18 age group. Former U.S. youth national team player Guillermo Bermudez was one of the top performers on the squad. Bermudez was part of the Club Tijuana squad that took part in the NTC Invitational over the summer. 

Armstrong explained that this collaboration with Tijuana can provide opportunities for the players who are looking at making that next step after the youth game. 

“Obviously players who have ambitions to become a professional play will have a pipeline to the Xolos club,” Armstrong said. 

AmeriDane 

Illinois-native Kristian Sayre is currently on an uncharted path toward the next steps in his playing career. 

In 2014, the U.S. teenager was on vacation in Europe when a local coach spotted him playing soccer. That fateful collision resulted in Sayre moving to Denmark and pushing himself into an unfamiliar situation.

“Kristian’s mother is from Denmark,” John Sayre, Kristian’s father, told TopDrawerSoccer. “Kristian was visiting Denmark on vacation in August of 2014, he was practicing at a local soccer field when a team coach noticed him. The coach asked if he would like to train with the team, two days later the team asked him to join.”

Kristin Sayre, a 2016 high school graduate, has been with the team since that fateful afternoon. The teenager plays either up top or on the wing for FC Sonderborg U19. His father says that he is one of the youngest member of the squad. 

Prior to his move to Denmark, Kristian Sayre played for Palatine Celtic SC and Sockers FC. He was a key part of both teams that advanced to regionals. His Sockers team made it to nationals. 

The athletic gene does not fall far from the tree in the Sayre family. John, his father, was a world-class decathlete in his day. He won the U.S. national championship in 1985

Following this season in Denmark, Kristian Sayre is hopeful to return to the States with his eyes on joining a top Division I program. 

“ Kristian is looking at NCAA Div I, and Div II Schools, as well as two Sport Universities’ in Germany,” John Sayre said. “He wants to play at the highest level while pursuing an education in the Sports Management and Exercise Science areas.” 

Kristian Sayre’s ultimate goal is to make it as a professional soccer player. With an unparalleled experience for the past two years, Sayre should have a leg up on the competition. 

 

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