Cory Mull
Brian Shea
estravisjohnsonDays after the York Daily Record published a feature on former West York soccer player Alex Shinksy, the 16-year-old scored perhaps the greatest goal in his career.
At the Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria. Of all places.
His resolute finish nine minutes into the second half of the Americans game against Malawi on Thursday night proved to be the one that gave the US a 1-0 win.
With one game to play against the United Arab Emirates, who are tied with the Americans in second place with 3 points in Group E, the United States has a good chance of advancing out of the group.
But let’s get to the United States youth international Shinsky, who only two years ago was playing YAIAA soccer.
It’s quite a dream the 5-foot-8 player is living right now, 5,500 miles from home, playing among big crowds and big-time scouts.
His goal should give potential suitors a great deal of confidence in his ability and future.
“Coach told me to go at people and just be more confident with the ball, so that’s my game and that’s what I tried to do,” Shinsky told the American soccer news site Yanks Abroad of his play. “I didn’t really know where the goal was so I just hit it hard and scored a goal, and that was great.”
With games like this, it could make it hard for Shinsky to make a return to York County in 2010, that of which his mother told the YDR in the story that was published recently.
Why?
Well, if he gets signed by a European team sooner rather than later, Shinsky will have to begin his professional career a little quicker than anticipated.
But as the story noted, the plan is for Shinsky to return to York County in 2010 and play in college after graduation.
* There might be a special story that I could link to a little later in the day, so keep an eye out. UPDATE: And here it is. The benefits of writing for an online publication that covers American soccer players abroad. Enjoy.
Filed under: Prep soccer | Tagged: Alex Shinsky, United States, West York
He’s the perfect kid for Philly’s MLS team to pick up. Just sayin’
Absolutely. It’s such a win, win.
He’d be a little young by the season next year…17. And you know Nowak, he hated playing Freddy — even though the kid was the most highly touted player we’ve ever had in the American youth system.
But who knows. Maybe Petr has softened with age. haha.
Ah, didn’t even think about the Nowak connection. Good call.
I’m sure his Mom means well, but she’s nuts if she thinks it’s in his best interests to play high school and college soccer from here on out.