Ziggy Korytoski on Albion’s Upcoming Match Versus Phoenix Rising FC
Preparation for the 2017 NPSL Season is in its final weeks with kickoff set for the second week of March. San Diego’s Albion SC PROS are gearing up for another exciting year as the club prepares to take the pitch for its second campaign.
NPSL Soccer News: Albion SC PROS are preparing to take on Phoenix Rising FC of the USL this Saturday in the club’s second preseason match of the year.
SoccerToday’s Diane Scavuzzo spoke with head coach Ziggy Korytoski on the club’s upcoming match against the USL team — Phoenix Rising FC — and the commitment of his players during preseason.
Diane Scavuzzo: What are your thoughts on the match on Saturday against the USL’s Phoenix Rising?
Ziggy Korytoski: I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for our team. All our guys are excited and it’s obviously a level that we inspire to be at – Division 2 soccer.
Related Article: Albion SC Pros Host Phoenix Rising FC
For us to go head to head with a team of the USL level is a tremendous opportunity.
The guys are excited anytime when you’re in a pure development league, and trying to impress and play. The NPSL is Developmental Division 4 men’s soccer league and the USL league is just under the MLS.
Diane Scavuzzo: Your NPSL team is taking on a USL team — does this mean the Albion PROS are more competitive than most USL PDL teams?
Ziggy Korytoski: I don’t think that’s what puts us ahead of the PDL. I think we are ahead based on the caliber of players and commitment.
The USL PDL is an extended version of college soccer.
I think the commitment of these NPSL players who aspire to play at the next level is fantastic. We have 30 guys out here at 8 a.m. in the morning training 4 or 5 days of the week.
The Albion Pros has professional players who have played soccer in Division 2 — just watch Frankie Sanfilippo who played in the NASL and Amani Walker who was in the USL and NASL.
Diane Scavuzzo: As a coach, what are you bringing to the table to motivate your players?
Ziggy Korytoski: We set up a structure where the soccer players come out to compete and improve. I believe we train very well. It’s a professional setting at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center, formerly known as the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, California. The facility is great, and our staff is highly trained and our organization of the training sessions is professional.
Diane Scavuzzo: You spent four years as the Head Coach of professional clubs in Guatemala and were an Assistant Coach at Harvard, the Head Coach of University of Hawai’i at Hilo ….
Ziggy Korytoski: Yes, I have experience from the grassroots level to the highest level of a professional soccer. I have helped build Antigua GFC into a team that is competing in the CONCACAF Champions League, been a collegiate soccer coach …. I have been coaching for years. We know how to do this — Albion Pros provides everything that a professional structure offers, which includes gym access and video footage.
Diane Scavuzzo: What are your thoughts on San Diego’s Albion youth soccer club having a NPSL team?
Ziggy Korytoski: It’s awesome. It is fabulous for youth players who are capable of training with professional players.
THE NPSL TEAM OFFERS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR ALBION’S YOUTH PLAYERS TO LIFT THEIR PLAYING LEVEL AND COMPETE AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN SAN DIEGO
Noah Gins is an innovator. There are a lot of people who talk about doing things. Gins’ get things done and done the right way.
Editor’s Note: Noah Gins is the CEO of Albion Pros and the Albion SC.
