A rare combination is how Don Ebert describes Bobby Wood.

Ebert should know, he's coached the Irvine Strikers forward for some time now, and has continued to monitor his progress over the past 18 months while the now 16-year old has gone to play at German club 1860 Munich, which has one of the more renowned youth development systems in Europe.

Wood returned to the U16 Irvine Strikers this summer.

The player has made a great impression on his hosts, and is planning to be back next year as a member of the U19 squad.

"Bobby is a rare combination of speed and power, with a tremendous finesse and touch on the ball," Ebert said. "Usually with youth, it's one or the other. There are a lot of athletic and fast guys whose touch lets them down, or guys with good feet but who don't have that extra gear."

Ebert added that Wood has developed a strong left foot over the past 18 months in Germany. This was on display in late June at the USSF Academy Showcase where Wood, home for the summer and competing with Strikers at the U16 level, put on a strong goalscoring display. The powerful forward got the attention of a lot of coaches and scouts with his speed and touch.

Wood, who has roomed with Strikers and 1860 teammate Kovi Konowiecki in a Munich house, said the beginning of his stint overseas was challenging.

"In the beginning I didn't do so well. I was playing up with the U17s (at age 15) and I didn't do so well. I didn't have the players trust and if I would make a mistake they would get kind of mad," Wood said. "Then we have a tournament in Moscow and I played much better. I was named outstanding player of the tournament and since then I've had the players' trust and it's been going really well."

Ebert also mentioned increased confidence as a benefit of Wood's time overseas, and the striker agrees.

"I'm having a lot of fun now. If I make a mistake, it's not a big deal," he said. "Before I was always scared to get the ball, now I'm always asking for it."

Ebert said Wood's maturity has made a big difference in his development as a player.

"The biggest thing with Bobby is simple. He's matured. He's mentally much tougher in games. He used to kind of go in and out of games and if he made a mistake it was the end of the world. He was a young kid," Ebert said. "Spending this time away, having to prove himself everyday, it's helped him grow up as a person. It's easy to see how mature he is now. Little things don't knock him down anymore and he's very confident."

Wood noted his German has improved to the point where he can communicate freely with the rest of the players. He's now contemplating along with his mother Yoko what he should do next. The door to Europe remains open.

He recommends that players should consider the path, facilitated by U.S.F.C., that he took.

I would definitely encourage them to do it," he said. "Sometimes we have the same drills as in California but everyone here wants the same thing – they want to become a professional soccer player and that's all they think about."

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