Temecula Valley freshman earns national recognition

By: ED WEHDE - Staff Writer, North County Times

TEMECULA -- Keegan Smith is just 14 years old, but he's already made a sterling impression on the soccer community, both here in the Valley and beyond.

"I don't think there's any doubt he could (be a professional)," said Rob Skinner, Smith's coach at Temecula Valley, where he plays varsity as a freshman. "He's got the upside that you look for. His size and speed, for one, will be a big factor in moving on. He's a tremendous kid, and if he works hard, he can go some places."

Said Jeremy Healy, a coach at Southwest Soccer, Smith's club team: "He's a tremendous player. I think he can make it."

Those are pretty strong compliments for a player barely in his teens, but Smith's play has warranted them. The center midfielder has played his way into the United States Olympic Development Program and was selected to play for the U.S. Under-15 team at a recent camp in Florida.

"At first, I was speechless," Smith said about finding out he made the U-15 team. "It's quite an honor to be one of 18 players representing the country.

"The thing I like most is I can judge myself against the best this country has to offer. I like that a lot."

Smith's soccer career began when he was barely out of diapers. Smith has four older brothers who all played soccer and he followed them into the sport. Smith said as a toddler he was always kicking a ball, so when he was 4, his mom signed him up for a U-6 club team.

Smith fell for the sport because he likes being outside and because it suits his competitive nature. He also likes being part of a team, which he compared to a big family.

Skinner said Smith has what it takes to play the game at a high level. At 6-feet and 155 pounds as a freshman, Smith has size to go along with great speed and tremendous skill on the ball. He also has field vision uncommon for such a young player.

"Just watching from the first day, I could see he was getting balls to guys that most players can't," Skinner said. "They just don't see it and then they don't have the skill to put it there.

"He's shown flashes in some games where he can take over."

Because club soccer plays a more prominent role in college recruiting and national exposure than high school soccer, many players of Smith's caliber choose to forgo prep careers in favor of club play. Smith said he chose to play for the Golden Bears because high school soccer can complement club soccer in his development as a player.

For one thing, Smith plays against older players on the high school pitch.

"Being a 14-year-old playing against kids that are fully developed with facial hair and stuff really adds the physical side to my game," Smith said.

Additionally, Smith can develop leadership skills. Skinner said there are times when he has to urge the freshman to be more aggressive instead of deferring to his older teammates.

Playing high school soccer also allows Smith to learn a different position.

Normally a holding midfielder or central defender on his club team, Smith has played various positions for Temecula, but is mostly used as an attacking midfielder. That gives Smith more freedom to move forward and work on his offensive skills.

Smith has missed five Temecula matches this season due to ODP commitments, but he still leads the Bears with four assists and is second on the team with five goals.

"(High school soccer) is an extra addition to what I learn at club level," Smith said.

Smith's frequent absences might rub some coaches and teammates the wrong way, but not Skinner and the Bears. Skinner acknowledges that Smith is a special player and he's willing to make accommodations.

"I like how (Skinner) welcomes me even though I miss a lot," Smith said. "My whole team, especially the older guys, have helped me a lot (in) getting comfortable. If there's any resentment (about me being gone), they don't show it at all. (When I get back), they always ask me what it was like and how did I do.

"I want to give credit to the whole team for how welcome they've made me feel as a freshman and the new kid on the team."

Smith said his immediate goals are to stay on the U.S. U-15 team and to help lead Temecula Valley to a Southwestern League title. In the long term, he would like to acquire what has been predicted for him ---- a professional career.

"That would be by far the thing I would want to achieve most," Smith said.

-- Contact staff writer Ed Wehde at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2633, or ewehde@californian.com.