Smith’s development has him Steeled for a bright future
CHESTER » When Will Smith sized up colleges two years ago, Bethlehem Steel didn’t yet exist.
Smith knew that when his soccer career at powerhouse Conestoga ended, he wanted to study business at Lehigh University, with a chance to continue his playing days.
Two years wiser and a couple of inches taller, Smith’s outlook has evolved, in part leading to and symptomatic of a month spent training with Steel, the Union’s USL affiliate.
“It’s awesome,” Smith said Wednesday at Talen Energy Stadium, Steel’s training base. “It’s very nice that it’s close and for me at home during the summer, it’s only 35 minutes to practice every day. And their home games are at my home field at Lehigh. It’s nice to be around an environment like this all the time.”
The opportunity arose from a little happenstance and a lot of improvement by Smith. Always a promising goalie who frequented the area’s top crucibles of talent (FC Delco, Union Juniors, Lehigh Valley United, among others), Smith has sprouted from a 6-foot-1 junior in high school to a 6-foot-4 college sophomore who looks the part of a pro goalkeeper.
Smith posted a strong freshman season at Lehigh, wrestling the starting job away from the incumbent. In 11 games (10 starts), he posted a 5-4-1 record, allowing 13 goals. His 1.23 goals-against average and 76.4 save percentage bettered his predecessor, since-graduated senior Jacob Gottwald, leaving little doubt as to who owns the No. 1 goalie’s gloves this fall.
Smith’s summer plan involved staying sharp with NPSL club West Chester United. But when West Chester participated in the June 27 “Soccer Day in Pennsylvania” to benefit the Newtown (Conn.) Youth and Family Services organization alongside USL Premier Development League club Reading United and Steel, the rangy goalie impressed enough to earn a training invite from the pro team that also calls Goodman Stadium home.
That recognition of his ability has allowed Smith to further hone his skills in an intense environment.
“The level of play here is unlike anything I’ve ever had before, and it’s awesome,” Smith said. “I’ve improved a tremendous amount since I’ve been there, and hopefully we’ll keep going here.”
Smith is surrounded by former teammates from the club scene, like Union Academy Under-18 players Tiger Graham and Freeman Dwamena, as well as Union Junior vets like homegrown defender/Media native Auston Trusty and Academy goalie and 2016 Daily Times Boys Soccer Player of the Year Matt Freese of Episcopal Academy. He hasn’t yet gotten to train with the Union, but he gets to regularly observe first-team sessions. Smith lists meeting U.S. national teamer Alejandro Bedoya after a recent practice as a highlight.
Lehigh doesn’t have the longest track record of producing pros. Two Mountain Hawks have been drafted in MLS, both by New England — Adam Williamson 35th overall in 2006 and Adam Welch 57th in 2010 — with Williamson’s eight MLS games the only playing time. Forward Jamie Luchini was an early signee of Steel last year as a connection to the home crowd; he made 16 appearances but wasn’t resigned for 2017.
Yet despite Lehigh being off the beaten American soccer path, there’s a growing sense that if you have the talent, MLS will find you. (For evidence: 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year Tesho Akindele of FC Dallas attended noted juggernaut Colorado School of Mines).
The visibility through Steel further encourages Smith that a professional future could await him if his progress continues.
“Lehigh has done a great job through my first year to prepare me for where I am now and just to keep growing,” he said. “I’m excited for what Lehigh has to offer to help me hopefully go beyond college.”