Photo Credit: Will Crew/UP AthleticsThe University of Portland men’s soccer team returned to the NCAA Tournament this season. A vital member of the team was midfielder Collen Warner. The playmaking sophomore finished the season with 3 goals and 4 assists. At season’s end, he was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s All-Season Third Team as well as the 2007 West Coast Conference’s All-WCC First Team.
He kindly spoke with Soccer City FC about his time overseas, the 2007 season, and the road ahead.
- You trained at the youth academies of Liverpool FC and Atalanta BC. What did you take away from each experience?
A: I trained at Liverpool F.C. when I was fourteen and I learned of fundamental techniques for passing and dribbling. It also allowed me to compare my abilities to the kids coming up in the academies over there.
When I was on trial at Atalanta B.C., it was another chance to compare myself to guys who were now beginning to be brought up to the first team, but I was also focused on making the squad. Overall it was a good experience to be alone in a place where few people spoke English. It definitely helped me mature.
- Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex is one of the elite venues in all of collegiate soccer. How much of a home-field advantage do you have by playing at an elite facility?
A: Merlo Field is a fantastic place to play our home matches at. The home-field advantage definitely comes from the fans that consistently show up in the thousands to support us. Their support gives a great advantage at home matches.
- Name your top three moments from the 2007 collegiate season?
- The Portland Pilots advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004. How satisfying was it to complete the season with a trip to the NCAA Tournament?
A: It was an awesome feeling to make the tournament and losing in the first round to Washington hurt just as much, we had plans to make a serious impact in the tournament last year.
- With a very competitive nucleus returning for 2008, would anything short of another trip to the NCAA Tournament be a disappointment?
A: Yea I would have to say so, this is a very ambitious program and after getting into the tournament last year we want more.
6 comments:
Way to go, Collen Warner! You're the best soccer player in the family (don't tell Christian)! Aunt Betty
dude your the bestest soccer player i have ever seen and i just want to say going to up soccer games is only amazing because you are out there..i would love if i could sit down with you sometime and just pick your brain. or perhaps i could fill you up with some of my own juicy info ;)
once again your amazing i even made a purple t shirt with your number on it which i wear to every home game..i am going to start a myspace page dedicated to you..it shall be called the shrine de warner
The entire Warner family is proud of you Collen. We have all been watching your career from afar. It will be great this year finally getting to see you and the team play LIVE IN VERMONT (No Pressure - but, we know you thrive on pressure). Enrick, The Uncle from New Jersey
The entire Warner family is proud of you Collen. We have all been watching your career from afar. It will be great this year finally getting to see you and the team play LIVE IN VERMONT (No Pressure - but, we know you thrive on pressure). Enrick, The Uncle from New Jersey
Hey Colleen... Keep putting your best foot forward and stay focused...just quit hitting so many goal posts... :)
From your other Uncle in Jersey
Ced.... Keep up the good work and stay focus...Just quit hitting so many goal posts and put it between 'em....lol
PS...From the other Uncle in Jersey :)
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