Last season was a goal drought for ACCs soccer team. The Red Devils saw only two performances where they found the back of the net more than once.
Head coach Doug Desmarteau believes the influence of foreign products combined with domestic talent, will lead to a unique style of play that make this season more promising.
This is the first year we have gone heavy international, Desmarteau said. The school made a commitment to lower the tuition, and soccer is an international game. Most of the teams in the conference are a majority international. So, this is kind of an experiment. We have kids from Brazil, Jamaica, South Africa, Kenya, Australia, Scotland and England.
An inherent challenge with all that diversity is to come together as a team. In soccer, each country is known for a specific style of play. In order to make the squad one unit, the Red Devils have done activities off the field. Last Saturday, was a team lip sync competition.
Desmarteau emphasized that it is hard to tell where the team lies competitively due to no matches played, but believes the chemistry is heading in the right direction.
Last season, AC had 12 foreign players and this year will have anywhere from 40 to 45. The influx of foreign talent will bring a unique flair to ACs style of play for the upcoming season. The Red Devils can use all the help they can get after a 3-11-3 record. Returning All-Jayhawk Conference and ACC leading goal scorer Roshod Nembhard will be counted on to rack in the goals. Desmarteau also has high expectations for first-year BrazilianThiago Troyano.
Nearly half of the foreign talent is coming from Brazil. The style of the Brazilians will mix well with the fast-paced players from Africa who can slide in and make strong tackles to win the ball back.
A lot of them (Brazilians) are very creative, Desmarteau said. They have really good speed and touch, and Brazil is one of the most technical countries in the world. They have known the game since they were two years old, and know how to take on guys one-on-one.
Despite a heavy roster of internationals, ACC still has a solid amount of players from the U.S. Jeffrey Soto-Molina, Juan Carlos Martinez and Alejandro Cabrera are three Americans Desmarteau highlights to have an impact for the Red Devils.
Last year, the Red Devils primarily played a defensive formation with five defenders at the back, and struggled to go forward. Desmarteau plans to play a more attacking style of play to increase the goal tally with three forwards up top. The two attacking wings will more than likely have the opportunity to drop back when the defense is faced with pressure.
First, we have to defend as a team, Desmarteau said. Also, we have to finish with the ball, score goals, and finish our opportunities. Last year I think we had players who were comfortable because they didnt have anyone pushing them, and this year we have three or four guys at every position that can come in and do as good a job as those on the field.
Next up for ACC will be an away game against Southwestern College on Tuesday.
