Starting in FM20, using Uncle Sam’s USA Pyramid, with USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay. all loaded (I am currently using a not-so-great computer, so I don’t want to slow down the game too much!). This is the first time I’ve ever done anything like this, so please be nice! I have also added a International Youth Tournaments DB, which includes the U-17 WC. I also made an error when trying to add my brother as an assistant coach, so I will be renaming a regen staff member for this purpose.
- - -
After the roaring and continued success of my new clothing line Walter Sky, in January of 2019 I was left with a daunting decision to make. Return to the soccer world or continue the luscious lifestyle of the fashion world — and after discussing it with my wife ( and brother ) over several beers, I decided to do both.
Wes and I were sort of a buy one get the other free sort of deal. And being the youngest, Wes followed me everywhere I went. That wasn’t much of an issue, until of course, I met my wife while attending an acting class at Utah Valley University. Twenty years have passed since then, though very little has changed (apart from the fact we are now married — with two sons, of course!)
As he did when we began Walter Sky, Wes also wanted in on the act. We had friends in the sports world, though they tended to lean towards Hockey, Football and Volleyball. Both Wesley and I had played volleyball while attending UVU.
After college, the two of us had gone down very different paths. I dropped into the world of Hollywood movies, along with my wife, before realising that wasn’t really my scene, then spent a decade at a friends’ startup. We both love the outdoors, and I split my time between Utah/Arizona, Oshawa, Ontario and Hermosa Beach, California.
Selling the double act to college soccer teams’ was one thing, but proving to them we were more than a comedy duo was another. And it proved a lengthy task. Of course, we had very little experience when it came to coaching soccer, however we did mention, in several interviews that we could potentially recommend new sportswear for the student athletes.
We must have said something right however, because within several days we had some offers. This period was almost as daunting as releasing a new line of clothing, then seeing a NFL or NHL player wear an item from said line of clothing.
My wife always tells me not to have any regrets. “No fu**ing regrets, Nate.” It was words to live by — especially now, when I was venturing into a potentially new career.
I tried to avoid applying for jobs with teams in the NCAA who have already won the College Cup. So for that reason, Saint Louis, Virginia, Indiana, Maryland, UCLA, San Francisco, Clemson, North Carolina, Stanford, UConn, Michigan State, Marshall, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Akron, Wake Forest, UC Santa Barbara, St. John’s, Wisconsin, Santa Clara, Duke, SIU Edwardsville, Howard & Navy have all been ruled out of contention. Worry not, we still have plenty of college programs to choose from.
The first job we applied for was with Cal Poly, who are based out of San Luis Obispo, California. They play their home games out of Alex G. Spanos Stadium which holds 11,075. The Mustangs have had success in recent years, with coach Paul Holocher leading the team to a NCAA Division I Tournament; they went on to beat UCLA before losing to UC Irvine in the second round. Coach Steve Sampson led the team back to the NCAA Tournament in 2015, and three Cal Poly players were selected in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, tied for the seventh most nationally.
Cal Poly soccer has a strong fan base, averaging 2,017 fans per match in 2019, ranking No. 5 across the country. In 2011, Cal Poly vs. UC Santa Barbara was chosen as the No. 1 rivalry in college soccer. Since 2007, the rivalry matches have regularly drawn upwards of 8,000 fans.
The second job I applied for was with my alma mater Utah Valley University. The team currently plays out of Clyde Field in Orem which currently holds 1,000. I decided to throw my hat in the ring anyways, even if I was a bit nervous to do so initially. The Wolverines’ didn’t have a men’s soccer team when I attended, so this seemed like a go-to choice when deciding which jobs to apply for. The team won the Western Athletic Conference a year after their inception, though the Wolverines have done very little since.
The third job I applied for was Boston College. The Eagles are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and currently play out of Newton Campus Soccer Field on Chestnut Hill, which currently holds 2,000. The Eagles have made it to the Quarter Finals of the NCAA Tournament on two occasions (‘02, ‘15), as well as making an appearance at the NCAA Tournament on fifteen occasions. They have also won the regular season three times and the Conference Tournament on four occasions.
And last, but by no means least, we also applied for the Cal State Fullerton job, as it is just a stones throw away from my current home, and there would be no need for us to relocate elsewhere. Regardless, it’s not the end of the world. The Titans play at Titan Stadium, which has a capacity of 10,000. The Titans have made it to the NCAA Division I Tournament on ten separate occasions, having made it to both the semi finals on one occasion.
We attended interviews with Boston, Utah and Cal State. It seems that Wes and I have a lot to talk about over the next few days. . .
