Jump to content

IMG Soccer Academy retires six jerseys


Recommended Posts

IMG Soccer Academy retires six jerseys

Anthony Ampaipitakwong, #8, Class of 2007: “Ampai” is the most talented midfield player to grace the fields at IMG Academies. After a stint in the US Soccer residency program, Anthony moved over to IMG and never looked back. He captained IMG sides that won the Sun Bowl, Dallas Cup, League Cup, Men’s League State Final, State Cup Final and PDL semifinals twice. After IMG, Anthony attended Akron University where he led them to a NCAA Championship and helped form one of college soccer’s most prolific programs. As a Generation adidas player, Anthony is in his first season with the San Jose Earth Quakes in the MLS.

Zarek Valentin, #4, Class of 2008: Zarek is a versatile defender who has poise, guile and tenacity. One of the most competitive individuals to represent IMG, Z’s appetite for the game has caught the eye of every National Team coach in his age range and has represented the US on all of its youth National Teams. Akron Coach Caleb Porter spotted him early on at IMG and Zarek played along Ampai and Blair Gavin at Akron winning the NCAA championship before joining MLS with Chivas USA

Not quite right since Ampai is not a GA player, but a nice honor for our former professional Zips.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMG Soccer Academy retires six jerseys

Anthony Ampaipitakwong, #8, Class of 2007: “Ampai” is the most talented midfield player to grace the fields at IMG Academies. After a stint in the US Soccer residency program, Anthony moved over to IMG and never looked back. He captained IMG sides that won the Sun Bowl, Dallas Cup, League Cup, Men’s League State Final, State Cup Final and PDL semifinals twice. After IMG, Anthony attended Akron University where he led them to a NCAA Championship and helped form one of college soccer’s most prolific programs. As a Generation adidas player, Anthony is in his first season with the San Jose Earth Quakes in the MLS.

Zarek Valentin, #4, Class of 2008: Zarek is a versatile defender who has poise, guile and tenacity. One of the most competitive individuals to represent IMG, Z’s appetite for the game has caught the eye of every National Team coach in his age range and has represented the US on all of its youth National Teams. Akron Coach Caleb Porter spotted him early on at IMG and Zarek played along Ampai and Blair Gavin at Akron winning the NCAA championship before joining MLS with Chivas USA

Not quite right since Ampai is not a GA player, but a nice honor for our former professional Zips.

And Gavin didn't win a national championship

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMG Soccer Academy retires six jerseys

Anthony Ampaipitakwong, #8, Class of 2007: “Ampai” is the most talented midfield player to grace the fields at IMG Academies. After a stint in the US Soccer residency program, Anthony moved over to IMG and never looked back. He captained IMG sides that won the Sun Bowl, Dallas Cup, League Cup, Men’s League State Final, State Cup Final and PDL semifinals twice. After IMG, Anthony attended Akron University where he led them to a NCAA Championship and helped form one of college soccer’s most prolific programs. As a Generation adidas player, Anthony is in his first season with the San Jose Earth Quakes in the MLS.

Zarek Valentin, #4, Class of 2008: Zarek is a versatile defender who has poise, guile and tenacity. One of the most competitive individuals to represent IMG, Z’s appetite for the game has caught the eye of every National Team coach in his age range and has represented the US on all of its youth National Teams. Akron Coach Caleb Porter spotted him early on at IMG and Zarek played along Ampai and Blair Gavin at Akron winning the NCAA championship before joining MLS with Chivas USA

Not quite right since Ampai is not a GA player, but a nice honor for our former professional Zips.

And Gavin didn't win a national championship

Toured the IMG facilities several years ago. Very impressive but unbelievably expensive to attend. Somewhere around 40-50K a year if I remember correctly !!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMG Soccer Academy retires six jerseys

Anthony Ampaipitakwong, #8, Class of 2007: “Ampai” is the most talented midfield player to grace the fields at IMG Academies. After a stint in the US Soccer residency program, Anthony moved over to IMG and never looked back. He captained IMG sides that won the Sun Bowl, Dallas Cup, League Cup, Men’s League State Final, State Cup Final and PDL semifinals twice. After IMG, Anthony attended Akron University where he led them to a NCAA Championship and helped form one of college soccer’s most prolific programs. As a Generation adidas player, Anthony is in his first season with the San Jose Earth Quakes in the MLS.

Zarek Valentin, #4, Class of 2008: Zarek is a versatile defender who has poise, guile and tenacity. One of the most competitive individuals to represent IMG, Z’s appetite for the game has caught the eye of every National Team coach in his age range and has represented the US on all of its youth National Teams. Akron Coach Caleb Porter spotted him early on at IMG and Zarek played along Ampai and Blair Gavin at Akron winning the NCAA championship before joining MLS with Chivas USA

Not quite right since Ampai is not a GA player, but a nice honor for our former professional Zips.

And Gavin didn't win a national championship

And we're not Akron University

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMG Soccer Academy retires six jerseys

Anthony Ampaipitakwong, #8, Class of 2007: “Ampai” is the most talented midfield player to grace the fields at IMG Academies. After a stint in the US Soccer residency program, Anthony moved over to IMG and never looked back. He captained IMG sides that won the Sun Bowl, Dallas Cup, League Cup, Men’s League State Final, State Cup Final and PDL semifinals twice. After IMG, Anthony attended Akron University where he led them to a NCAA Championship and helped form one of college soccer’s most prolific programs. As a Generation adidas player, Anthony is in his first season with the San Jose Earth Quakes in the MLS.

Zarek Valentin, #4, Class of 2008: Zarek is a versatile defender who has poise, guile and tenacity. One of the most competitive individuals to represent IMG, Z’s appetite for the game has caught the eye of every National Team coach in his age range and has represented the US on all of its youth National Teams. Akron Coach Caleb Porter spotted him early on at IMG and Zarek played along Ampai and Blair Gavin at Akron winning the NCAA championship before joining MLS with Chivas USA

Not quite right since Ampai is not a GA player, but a nice honor for our former professional Zips.

And Gavin didn't win a national championship

And we're not Akron University

Appears they already fixed it...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMG Soccer Academy retires six jerseys

Anthony Ampaipitakwong, #8, Class of 2007: “Ampai” is the most talented midfield player to grace the fields at IMG Academies. After a stint in the US Soccer residency program, Anthony moved over to IMG and never looked back. He captained IMG sides that won the Sun Bowl, Dallas Cup, League Cup, Men’s League State Final, State Cup Final and PDL semifinals twice. After IMG, Anthony attended Akron University where he led them to a NCAA Championship and helped form one of college soccer’s most prolific programs. As a Generation adidas player, Anthony is in his first season with the San Jose Earth Quakes in the MLS.

Zarek Valentin, #4, Class of 2008: Zarek is a versatile defender who has poise, guile and tenacity. One of the most competitive individuals to represent IMG, Z’s appetite for the game has caught the eye of every National Team coach in his age range and has represented the US on all of its youth National Teams. Akron Coach Caleb Porter spotted him early on at IMG and Zarek played along Ampai and Blair Gavin at Akron winning the NCAA championship before joining MLS with Chivas USA

Not quite right since Ampai is not a GA player, but a nice honor for our former professional Zips.

I'm assuming that these are the first #s that IMG is "retiring". And, quite frankly, given that they are not what anyone would call a regular "school", if they maintain these standards, they will not have many -- if any -- numbers remaining in a decade or two! :P Interesting remark from Bisbee -- but IMG, which I think began out of the Nick Bollitierri Tennis Academy exists on the back of super-rich families, or in the case of most footballers, the USSF, which pays the cost for the National Youth Academy residency players -- is that not true?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...