Friday, April 11 ATLANTA, GA – Following successful trips to the Super Y-League ODP National Camps in Cocoa, Florida earlier this year and the Super Y-League North American Finals in Tampa late last season, Atlanta Silverbacks midfielder Bryana Gold earned an invite from the U.S. National Team Staff Coaches to attend an ODP National Invitational in Pomona, California from Monday, February 18 through Monday, February 25.
“A total of 80 – 92’s and 80 – 93’s were selected from the four regions in the U.S.,” said Bryana’s father, Ben Gold via email. “They played for four days in a series of small-sided games, street soccer and eventually, 11 v. 11. Out of the 160 girls, Bryana was one of six selected to join the team.”
That U15/U16 U.S. Regional side is currently in a competition against the national teams of Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Chile, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Guatemala. The competition wraps up today in Costa Rica, where Gold’s team faces the
Chilean U20 National Team.
“Bryana has been playing through some pain, and has been doing well,” added her father. “Her team beat Trinidad & Tobago, and then beat Honduras. They play Mexico’s U17 team Friday.”
“Bryana is one of the best technical players I have come across in Georgia,” said Atlanta Silverbacks Administrative Director, Ignace Moleka. “When a young girl grows up playing soccer and admiring Ronaldinho, you know she is going to try to play like him. Her skill is great and her willingness to learn and always get better is amazing.”
“Mike Dickey [U.S. National Team Staff Coach] and I talked about Bryana at the Super Y-League [North American Finals] this past November,” added Moleka. “Mike watched her play and when I mentioned her name to him, he knew exactly who she was.”
Gold spent her 2007 Super Y-League season with the Silverbacks U14 girls’ team who qualified for the North American Finals out of the South Atlantic Division with a regular season record of 9-2-1. The Silverbacks continued to have success at the North American Finals, going 1-0-2 and qualifying for the semifinals before falling 4-0 to the New Jersey Junior Stallions.
“Many young players want to become better but they do not want to train hard for it,” said Moleka. “From a young age, Bryanna always wanted to be a good player. She took the time to go out and train. She watches a lot of games on TV as well. She lives and breathes the game of soccer. She is a student of the game who loves to train. Bryana is a special player and as her Super Y-League coach, I am very proud of her.”
“Bryana’s club team, the North Atlanta Soccer Association (NASA), has always supported the Atlanta Silverbacks Super Y-League program,” added Moleka. “I am very grateful to Dave Smith, NASA’s Director of Coaching, and Eric Ritter, NASA’s Girls Director, for allowing me to work with Bryanna and most of her teammates this past summer.”
“Iggy [Moleka] was one of my most favorite and most influential coaches growing up,” said Bryana Gold prior to leaving for Costa Rica. “I have known Iggy since I was little kid. He has taught me a lot, how to be a better person, not just helping me to become a better player. He has inspired me.”
Founded on Moleka’s coaching ability, and Gold’s effort and talent, her path to playing in Costa Rica this week began last summer in the league-based scouting effort of USL’s youth league. As one of the top players on her team, Gold was scouted extensively at the North American Finals and the SYL ODP National Camp.
“I went to the SYL ODP camps not only to improve my game and become a better player overall, but to get a very rare experience at a higher level of competition,” said Gold. “[The level] was definitely faster and more intense. Everyone that went to the camps seemed to have a love for the game.”
Soon afterwards, Gold received an invite to attend the ODP National Invitational in Pomona.
“It was a feeling I won’t forget,” Gold said. “I was so excited and overwhelmed at the same time. I was smiling a lot. The fact that I was selected for something so special really meant a lot to me because there are a lot of great players that don’t always get an opportunity like this. It makes me feel very appreciative, and that working hard pays off.”
“The Super Y-League really opened a lot of opportunities for me,” added Gold. “It provided me with one of my first opportunities to actually get looked at by high level elite coaches. By going to the Super Y-League ODP Camp [I had a] chance to try new things, but most importantly, I always had fun when I was playing.”
“The Atlanta Silverbacks is a great program, particularly in helping kids in youth soccer get to the “next level” and achieve their goals. The Silverbacks helped me due to the fact that the coaches have taught me new things on becoming a better player and improving my game.”
“I have very high expectations for these [U.S. National Team] camps. I know that these players are there for a reason, and to get better and play. Everyone there takes it just as seriously as you do. You are not always going to be the one to stand out, because everyone there is a very talented player. The speed of play is higher, as well as the intensity. And sometimes you are not with girls that you are comfortable playing with. So as a player, you have to play for yourself and do the best that you can do.”
“Bryana began playing soccer at age five,” concluded her father. “Soon thereafter she met Iggy while he was playing with the Silverbacks. She loved the game even from that early age and has always wanted to get better. Even from that early age, she has always admired, looked up to, and loved Iggy. He has been a mentor to her in many, many ways.
“The first time he challenged her to juggle, she couldn’t do more than six – now she is doing well over 1,000 without stopping. At this stage Bryana has trained with a great number of people and I can honestly say that there is no one more special to her than Iggy. She looks to him for guidance, for foot skills and strategy training, for mental toughness and courage and for support. We are grateful for him and all he has done for Bryana.”
