The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AFFORDED the chance of a lifetime to compete at the professional level this summer, two of the country’s rising soccer stars made an indelible impact on the Texas Dutch Lions FC Super 20 League, opening the doors for future players and new opportunities in the game.

Perry Brooks and Valdere Murphy recently completed their two-month stint with the Lions in Houston, Texas, competing in the League’s Mid South U20M Division.

The Lions finished just 2-5-1 on the season. However, the Bahamian duo impressed Lions head coach and assistant technical director Marco Pruis with their efforts throughout the season.

“I’m very proud of both guys playing for me this summer, I always knew I could trust on them in the game. Hopefully, they will be back next year, stronger and smarter as players as they continue to work hard and develop,” he said.

“Aside from the work they did on the field, they forged a lot of new friendships and networked with a number of players and coaches. They adjusted well to the frequent travel, which they experienced for the first time and learned to maintain a performance at a high  level, amidst the conditions.”

Group B of the Mid South Division featured teams from Midland (nine hours from Houston), one from Austin (three hours from Houston) and the other two teams are from Dallas (three and-a-half hours from Houston).

“Overall, Perry did a very good job this summer in Texas. He had tough moments with the team but showed perfect character by not giving up at those moments. Perry earned a starting position as a left defender and played well throughout the season. He made huge steps on the tactical level and the hope is he will continue learning on this level to be complete as a soccer player,” Pruis said.

“Valdere also showed great character. He became known for his resilience, never gave up and was one of the toughest defenders to play against. He wants to win every duel and that is one of his best qualities. Like Perry, he still has a lot to learn on the tactical level, like developing his passing game, but as Valdere is only 17 years old, he will have time.”

Brooks and Murphy, along with Dwight Darling, were selected to the Dayton Dutch Lions FC Super 20 League squad, following a trial session hosted by Youth Empowerment Through Soccer International (YESI) and the Lions’ technical director Cor van Hoeven.

The Super-20 League is the longest standing and most sophisticated U-20 men’s and women’s North American amateur league. It provides the platform for top 17 to 20-year-olds in the US and Canada to compete at the elite level while serving as a reserve team system for many W-League, PDL and MLS teams.

The USL Super-20 League features teams competing in the summer months - May 26 to June 30.

In preparation for their debut with the club, the players trained closely with former Lions player and YESI founder Happy Hall and current pro Cameron Hepple, now with Farborough of Conference South in the English football system.

Brooks, who plays right wing/striker for the COB Caribs and is an architect major at COB, said the training sessions improved his game tremendously and have given him greater confidence on his way to the next level.

Murphy, who plays left wing for the Caribs and is a law and criminal justice major, noted the impact the training sessions had in the rapid development of his game prior to the Super 20 League debut.