The next time the Charleston Cougars step onto the field and look into their opponents’ eyes, it will not be the eyes of fellow collegiates, but the eyes of professionals.
Starting March 6, Patriots Point will no longer be just a college field. The field will host some of the greatest names in American soccer, as well as the College of Charleston’s own men’s soccer team. Two Major League Soccer teams, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC, chose Patriots Point as their home for 2010 preseason training and scrimmages.
Every year the MLS teams choose training sites for their preseason workouts. The local United Soccer League’s team, Charleston Battery, is responsible for getting these professionals to choose Patriots Point.
In return for using Patriots Point and its facilities, Real Salt Lake, defending MLS champions, and Toronto FC will take the field against the Cougars.
“You get better by playing big brother,” Head Coach Ralph Lundy said. “We’re always looking to be better.”
The opportunity does not come without hard work from the team.
“The players are all very focused; they are aware they have to be better, so the intensity is great,” Lundy said.
The focus and intensity come with the understanding that these games will be some of the hardest they will ever play because of their professional status.
“It’s a big step up,” Lundy said. “It’s like high school to college; people don’t realize there is a difference but there is.” The opportunity to learn from the best may not be around for much longer though. According to Lundy, the Players Union and the league are having a disagreement that may eliminate these chances for college athletes to play against professionals.
The animosity between the two groups stems from a clashing of opinions over the collective bargaining agreement. The current collective bargaining agreement does not allow free-agency for players and only guarantees the first year or two of a player’s contract, which at the moment is frustrating MLS players.
If the disagreement between the two camps is not solved soon it could lead to MLS players going on strike until most of their needs are met. This means opportunities like this for the Cougars may not occur any longer.
This dispute could cause a huge dash to the futures of the Charleston players themselves, who use this experience to gain notice from the professional teams.
“Every year Charleston has at least one player go on to the professional league, so it’s a chance for them to impress the professionals,” Lundy said.
Not only will the Charleston players get to dazzle the professionals with their talent, but so will the young soccer players from the Mount Pleasant area. The MLS teams are going to hold clinics for youth soccer players who will get to learn skills and tactics of the game from the best.
The Charleston Cougars will play their first game against Real Salt Lake on March 6 at 7 p.m. The Toronto FC game will be March 18 at 10 a.m.