Former Steinert standout Smith sees stock rise with Philadelphia Fury
HAMILTON » Dylan Smith’s quest to play at the highest level of professional soccer possible took a pretty good step forward in 2017.
The former Steinert High standout recently concluded a successful first campaign with the Philadelphia Fury of the American Soccer League. The ASL is a developmental league that provides American players with professional opportunities along with a direct pathway into the major soccer leagues around the world. All players must be registered as professionals with FIFA and US Soccer.
The Fury won the spring and fall championships, going 10-0 both seasons to earn a bye into The ASL Cup championship game. They scored two second half goals for a 3-1 win over the Mass United FC (Massachusetts) in the title game. Philadelphia then went 3-0 against second and third division teams in Spain to complete a 25-0 year.
Through it all, Smith played outstanding at center-midfield and team owner Matt Driver, the former coach of MLS’ New England Revolution, told Smith his performance in Spain was the best he had ever seen him play.
It was so good, in fact, that Driver picked up Smith’s option for a second year with the Fury.
“The role I’m playing on this team, I’m not going to fill the stat sheet,” Smith said. “That’s not what I do. I’m more like the quarterback, just kind of running things out there. I think my style translated well into their style over in Spain.”
The 26-year-old Smith has been chasing his dream since graduating from Steinert in 2009. He initially played for six months with a third division professional team in Argentina before returning to play for Mercer and Rowan.
After earning Division III AllAmerica honors with the Profs and graduating in 2013, Smith played for Harrisburg City of the United Soccer League. He moved on to the Trenton Rebels in the National Capital Soccer League and was promoted to the ASL’s Delaware Stars, where he teamed with former rival Kyle Nuel, a Hamilton West graduate.
Nuel, now playing professionally in Germany, went to the Fury for the Fall 2016 season and encouraged Philly to sign Smith last spring. It has been steady progress ever since. Smith received positive feedback about his play in Spain in reference to possibly hooking up with a team overseas.
Right now, however, he’s all about the Fury.
“It’s definitely awesome he picked up my option,” Smith said. “My owner is very cool so if something arises I don’t think it would be hard to get out of the contract as long as it’s a step up and not within the league. I don’t think my owner would stand in the way.”
Smith was proud of the Fury’s accomplishments this season. Despite several seasons in which the team had the league’s best overall record, it had never won the ASL Cup. Currently a Division Three team, they hope to move up after their on-field success and the large crowds they drew to home games at Rowan.
“We had a couple thousand there for the championship game,” Smith said. “We’re pretty excited.”
Even more exciting was their play in Spain. During a bleak year in which the U.S. did not qualify for the World Cup, the Fury provided a bright spot for the ALS and the country by having success abroad. With Smith serving as the team’s engine, Philadelphia defeated Benidorm CF, 3-2; Alicante CF, 2-1, and Hercules de Alicante CF, 3-0.
“In our last game, they had a couple of red cards and just walked off the field and forfeited,” Smith said.
It was a far cry from last year, when the Fury went 0-3 on the same trip. Much of the improvement can be traced to Smith’s fearlessness, a trait he inherited from his father, U.S. Soccer Hall of Famer Bobby Smith.
“They were a little intimidated and a little nervous going in there last year; giving teams too much respect I guess,” Smith said. “I’m more of a veteran; I’ve played in a lot of different places over the years. I’m a captain so the coaches trust me and wanted me to be confident — have a ‘screw these guys, they have nothing on us’ kind of mentality. So we just went out there and went after it. All three teams were very frustrated, we took them right out of their game.”
Smith noted that the Fury played a different brand of soccer, noting the Spaniards’ success comes from being very technical and clean on the ball. If they lose it, they drop into their own half, let the other team possess and protect their goal. The Americans were just the opposite in terms of aggression.
“We’re a young, hungry, fast, fit, strong team,” Smith said. “We don’t back off. When we lose the ball we press and close them down and smother them. As we do that, it almost becomes a game of one-on-one battles all over the field. Physically and athletically we dominated these guys, and they were incredible players.
“We talked to some of the coaches and owners. Every team we played, these guys are making three to four thousand Euros a week. We got into a good rhythm toward the end of the season and the momentum just carried over to Spain. We weren’t afraid of them.”
And it was Smith calling the shots and setting the tone. He was able to hold his own against the Europeans in technical skills, and displayed a physicality he developed while growing up.
“I honestly think that physically, its’ much tougher over here,” Smith said. “I think I’ve learned a lot playing over here. Over there, they’re just very clean, technical, creative players. Maybe I’m just blessed from my father teaching me as a kid; and the opportunities that I’ve had available to me. Things I take for granted, other kids really pride themselves in. And I’m just much more relaxed, I felt very comfortable over there. I didn’t feel out of place, I don’t think any of us did.”
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