Personal Statement
My name is Sammy Pichler, and I am a senior at The Dalton School in New York City. In the upcoming years, I wish to attend a college that excels in both academics and athletics. Playing college soccer has been a goal of mine for many years, and I am dedicated, in every way, to achieving this goal.
I currently play outside back for BW Gottschee Academy, which was in the North-East region of the former-US Development Academy League. For the upcoming year, we will be playing in the newly founded MLS Academy League. I am entering my fourth year with the club. Prior, I played for Manhattan Soccer Club, and won two state championships. I will be playing for the U19 Academy team. In the past years, I have played in a 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 as an outside back and also as a wingback in a 3-5-2 formation. Additionally, my sophomore year, due to the development academy gap year, I was also a starter for my varsity soccer team, where I played winger. Playing with multiple teams has helped me grow as a player, and develop new skills and assets, which I strive to continue to improve on in the upcoming years.
In 2017, I was selected to compete in a tournament in Milan, Italy, with the PDP Regional Team. Throughout the competition, we played against top teams from across Europe. In 2018, I trained with ED Val Miñor Nigran, a high level team in Spain, that competes against top La Liga Academies.
I consider myself a very strong defensive player, as I rarely get beat by attackers. This is in part due to my tactical awareness, along with my speed and endurance. I am capable of running a mile in 5:05, and although I have not timed a 100 yard dash, I am fast, and confident that few attackers could outrun me. I believe that I am a very effective outside back, as I am very good at attacking down the flanks with my speed, and either delivering balls into the box, or cutting into the middle.