(Editor’s Note: Sebastian Clark, originally from the Atlanta area, now lives and plays in Denmark with Slagelse B&I, aka FC Vestsjaelland, as youth player in a professional system. He has begun to get looks and training from full professional sides and has continued to be part of the U.S. Youth National Team pool through the Olympic Development Program of U.S. Youth Soccer.)

Making the move from HOT Atlanta (Alpharetta, GA) as a 5 year old to COLD Denmark probably did not mean so much to me at that time, but, now at 14 years of age, there are some things worth considering in regard to my soccer development.

At age 5 I started playing club soccer (FC Storebælt), and as a goalkeeper then, I was probably satisfied I did not have to be up front running all the time. However, I realized very quickly that just minding the goal was damn COLD. So, after begging the coach to put me up front, I got my first chance as a striker. After putting in 5 goals in my first short presentation as a striker … well, the story just continues.

After a few years (12 years old) , numerous tournaments and many goals later, I moved to FC Vestsjaelland aka. Slagelse B&I to play at a higher level. Training 3 times a week in rain / sleet or snow, I quickly developed ball control and an excellent touch on the ball. Of course, participating in a summer Manchester United school in the UK definitely helped me to fine tune my skills.

After a hard first season with the U14 team and a mid-level place in the regular tournament, the second season with the U14s was definitely different. After scoring 25 of 29 goals we won the regular tournament after the first 8 of 10 games were played. However, something else would happen that summer of 2009. After participating in an Aarhus Elite Summer Camp, I had the opportunity of meeting Jeremiah White, who recommended USA U14 NDP to me.

Meeting and playing with some of the best 1996 boys in the USA (Boston, MA) was definitely a eye opener, in regards, to how different the level and style of play is between Europe and USA. As a technical and tactical player, I found it very hard to play with more athletic and less technical players (everything just felt that it was happening at random, with no consistency). What I found also different between USA and Danish coaches was the level of feedback. A lot of feedback from the Danish coaches versus virtually NONE from the USA coaches. As a young developing player, feedback is a crucial part of learning the game. The game can definitely teach the player, but feedback and encouragement and allowing players to try some new things goes even farther in helping ones development and confidence level.

Now, the question still is open, but, as a 14 year old moving up to play U17 (2. Division) soccer, I found that suddenly I was responsible for my own development. As the coaches already assumed that I had all of the technical skills and now just needed to learn the tactical. But, as I started to train, I realized that not even the tactical was being taught … it was more like just play and maybe we can win a few games along the way. So, this got me thinking. Was U17 (2. Division) a right move at this point? As the level of play was well below what I expected. After contacting a superliga club, it was agreed I could come and train with a U17 liga team (Brondby IF) before the ODP Interregional event took place in Florida.

After my first training session with the U17 liga team, I suddenly realized this was the level I needed to be at. I found out that it suited me very well, technically, tactically and physically. Somehow, it just all felt very right. I guess my point is, if you do not feel comfortable with a team, and you do not feel that they are improving your level of play, then its probably time to move on. Find some other challenge that can take you to the next level.

I have set some high ambitions for me this season. The first is to train at a much higher level then U17 (2. Division) – Playing Series 1(senior soccer) coupled with continuation of U17 liga training, will no doubt lead to new opportunities.

My new coach Peter Foldgast a retired professional soccer player, that has played both in the danish superliga for Brøndby IF, and the German Bundesliga, should help me improve my level of soccer. Especially since he is also a former striker. I am looking forward to fine-tuning my skills in this regard with his help.

January 18th 2011, was my first training session with a senior team (Slagelse B&I). The play was fast and the overall quality of the players really impressed me. I am looking forward to gaining some good experience with this team.

And now I'm off to training 4 times a week, and having a good season when it starts.