LORAIN — Brad Friedel’s Premier Soccer Academy (PSA) celebrated another first Thursday with the introduction of its non-resident class.
Five players from Amherst, Avon Lake, North Olmsted, Westlake and Strongsville signed letters of intent in front of their families. They will be part of the Academy’s second class and will receive the same professional training as the Academy members who live on campus. The only difference in their status is that they will commute to and from the campus on a daily basis.
Craig Umland, one of the Academy’s chief operating officers, introduced Andy Souders (Amherst), Zach Martin (Avon Lake), Matt Foldesy (North Olmsted), Brendan Cash (Westlake) and Vlad Lekareva (Strongsville) as members of this initial class of commuting players. All will attend academic classes in their hometown except Martin, who will attend St. Ignatius.
“I’m really glad for this opportunity,” Martin said. “I’m really looking forward to the opportunities that attending here will present to me. I know that I’m giving up a lot by not playing for a high school team. But I also realize what this opportunity will do for me if I take advantage of it.”
Foldesy had another reaction to his being named to this initial class of non-residents.
“The best thing about PSA is the coaching,” Foldesy said. “The coaches here are top-notch with a wealth of experience. They work a lot with each one of us and help us develop to our full potential.”
“I like the fact that we’ll be playing with international students,” Cash said. “I’m really looking forward to that.”
Like the others, Lekareva was excited when told of his acceptance to PSA.
“I will work hard to make the most of my time here,” he said.
“My family and friends are really happy for me,” Souders said. “All of my hard work up until now is being paid off with my coming to PSA.”
All will be honing their skills as defenders with Cash primarily playing goalkeeper.
“Our goal is to take these players to another level,” said Roy Tunks, director of goalkeeping. “We aim to get them on Division I college teams or players on a professional level. This is what Brad Friedel wants to do to give back to the local communities. We know that some talent is here in the local communities.”
Most of the members of the class have played together at one point or another over the last few years. All five played on the PSA United team that won the Dallas Cup during spring break. Actually, Lekareva went through PSA Experience Week where his play earned him a spot with the others.
“PSA United is the pinnacle of playing as local players,” said Desmond Armstrong, the Academy’s lead scout. “It’s an opportunity for the players to impress us coaches. It enables us to have them on the field and to measure them. They proved themselves at the top tournament in the United States (the Dallas Cup).”
Marc Hottiger, director of coaching, elaborated on the Academy’s philosophy.
“We get to see and grade these players every day,” Hottiger said. “Hopefully, with a lot of hard work, everything will work out well for each one of them.”
Parents in attendance said that this is something the boys have wanted to do. They’ve played together and have become good friends. In their early years, they were often rivals, but have developed strong bonds over the years.
 

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