USC Soccer claws through summer leagues
Gamecocks makes waves, continue training with clubs in off season
John Whittle
TheBigSpur.com
Issue date: 7/9/08 Section: Sports
Many have heard of the wooden bat leagues for college baseball players. Cape Cod and Coastal Plains are synonymous with summer league baseball, but most do not know about the Premier Development League designed to enhance the skills of college soccer players.
Typically, PDL teams are affiliated with either United Soccer League or Major League Soccer teams, the top two professional leagues in the United States. While student-athletes are brought in to perform in the summer, their amateur status is not in jeopardy.
Another perk for the top players is the opportunity to train with the big clubs. Rising junior Tyler Ruthven has made the most of his trip to Denver and has performed well enough to train with the Colorado Rapids, an MLS team.
Ruthven, a central defender, was named Conference USA Newcomer of the Year last season and proved to be a stalwart backline player for South Carolina last season. The Alpharetta, Ga., native has led his Rapids squad to the top spot in the Heartland Division.
The experience that Ruthven is gaining competing against the likes of U.S. National Team player Pablo Mastroeni and Conor Casey cannot be understated. Ruthven has the size and ability to be a force in C-USA and is a future professional star.
Known for his pinpoint crossing and deft passing ability, Scannella is a provider for his teammates both in Atlanta and at Stone Stadium in Columbia. The Alpharetta, Ga., native is one of the most decorated players at Carolina and has started every game in his first two seasons. Scannella has been named a team captain for 2008.
A pair of rising sophomores, Arthur and Brettschneider, have both found the back of the net multiple times for the Silverbacks. Arthur, who missed most of last season with a leg injury, enjoyed a great spring season before heading to Atlanta to become one of the top strikers in the division.
As the 10th ranked player in the country in 2006, Arthur possesses the ability to be one of the top strikers in C-USA.
Typically, PDL teams are affiliated with either United Soccer League or Major League Soccer teams, the top two professional leagues in the United States. While student-athletes are brought in to perform in the summer, their amateur status is not in jeopardy.
Another perk for the top players is the opportunity to train with the big clubs. Rising junior Tyler Ruthven has made the most of his trip to Denver and has performed well enough to train with the Colorado Rapids, an MLS team.
Ruthven, a central defender, was named Conference USA Newcomer of the Year last season and proved to be a stalwart backline player for South Carolina last season. The Alpharetta, Ga., native has led his Rapids squad to the top spot in the Heartland Division.
The experience that Ruthven is gaining competing against the likes of U.S. National Team player Pablo Mastroeni and Conor Casey cannot be understated. Ruthven has the size and ability to be a force in C-USA and is a future professional star.
Known for his pinpoint crossing and deft passing ability, Scannella is a provider for his teammates both in Atlanta and at Stone Stadium in Columbia. The Alpharetta, Ga., native is one of the most decorated players at Carolina and has started every game in his first two seasons. Scannella has been named a team captain for 2008.
A pair of rising sophomores, Arthur and Brettschneider, have both found the back of the net multiple times for the Silverbacks. Arthur, who missed most of last season with a leg injury, enjoyed a great spring season before heading to Atlanta to become one of the top strikers in the division.
As the 10th ranked player in the country in 2006, Arthur possesses the ability to be one of the top strikers in C-USA.
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