University of California, Santa Barbara centerback Andy Iro has a lot to consider over the next few weeks regarding his professional future. Shall he stay and play in Major League Soccer or shall he go back home to a career in England? Tonight, he joined Soccer City FC from across the pond in Liverpool, England to talk about his upcoming future. While there has been a great deal of media and internet-forum speculation as to where Andy Iro will be playing soccer shortly, he has not made a decision.
"I am really open to both options. Obviously, I have a lot of contacts in England from growing up here and there are some opportunities. Financially speaking England would be the better option but saying that, the last four years of my life I have been in America and I am happy in America. I will seriously take a look at what MLS has to offer."
Iro certainly took an unusual road to soccer stardom. After his options in England hit a lull prior to college, he decided to send out several emails to collegiate coaches in the US. UCSB Head Coach Tim Vom Steeg answered his email request.
"In England, you hear very little about college scholarships. Ninety percent of people stop playing but I wasn’t ready to stop playing. Luckily enough and thankfully enough my parents put me in private school. I had decent grades and it went from there. I sent a bunch of emails out but I had very limited knowledge. I looked at the NSCAA polls but I had no idea what Division I or Division II was. I am sure Coach Tim heard it all before but he replied to my email. I think we are both thankful."
Upon arriving in California, he was surprised by the warm Californian disposition.
"I wasn’t expecting the people to be so happy. They have a zest for life."
Over the next four years, he would showcase his talents and go on to become one of the most impressive players in Gauchos and Big West soccer history. His team and personal successes include: the 2006 NCAA National Championship, two NCAA championship appearances, three Big West titles, Big West Freshman of the Year (2004), College Cup Most Outstanding Defensive Player (2006), M.A.C. Hermann Trophy candidate (2006/2007), and various other Big West and All-American awards. This noteworthy resume now has him receiving interest from both MLS and England.
Although Andy admits that playing professionally in England would have certain benefits such as being closer to his family, the door to his professional future remains wide open.
"It is a factor. I haven’t seen much of my family these last four years, but I won’t dismiss the MLS because of this. I have to think about where I will be happy now and where I will be happy at five years from now. I am heading back to America shortly and I will be at the combine."
No matter where his professional career takes him, Andy Iro hasn’t stopped playing soccer yet. Somewhere fans or supporters will be thankful that he has kept his options open.
*Technical Sessions is a new feature at Soccer City FC. We want to extend our thanks and best wishes to Andy Iro for being our first featured guest.
**Update 1/18/2008: Andy Iro was selected with the sixth overall pick by the Columbus Crew in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft and has signed with the league.
***Soccer City FC would like to extend our congratulations to Andy Iro. All the best with your professional career in Columbus.
4 comments:
Andy is a gentleman as well as being a dominating center back on the field. The UCSB players help out in our local summer youth soccer camps, and Andy gave my (then) 11 year old tips on taking free kicks. Needless to say she was impressed. If you haven't seen him play live, you don't understand just how controlling he is in the box. And he's pretty tough to stop on set pieces given his size and height. On the down side I think he's slowed up a little this year - hope his knee is fully recovered. Any MLS team that gets him (and good luck if the Championship makes a decent offer) would benefit.
Thank you for the comment. Mr. Iro is going to be successful in life as well as sport. We wish him the best at SoccerCityFC
I'd be very surprised if Andy plays in America. He can make double the money playing at a bottom table Championship side than he could in the MLS. Most likely see him bounce around the Championship for a few years then move to a different country for top flight football, possibly the MLS? -Just my prediction.
It's quite unfortunate his knee still isn't quite right and will nag at him through his career, otherwise I woulda thought him find success off the bench in the EPL for a couple year career.
Thank you for the comment.
~All the best.
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