Matthew Pardieck '23 Recruiting Profile

Spending Fall '23 training with reserves of Scottish Premier Football League team Spartans FC  and joining Radford in Spring. 

After 3 years at a tough Catholic HS School, helping my school work ethic and faith, I made commitment with my love of the game as boarder at Montverde Academy senior year in SIMA program. I love the diversity and have been able to socialize and play with top youth players from all over the world. I’ve trained and competed well with the African kids on Gold and made Elite team starter as a first year student even as one of youngest on team. We’ve played against UPSL, MLS Next, USL2, college teams & HS teams. I’m now a very strong and fast player (one of fastest at SIMA), but that’s not always been case.  My club career I was almost always shortest and smallest on pitch. This made me develop a quick touch, good anticipation and underdog attitude where I always have something to prove on the field. I’ve been played everywhere on pitch except CB (especially last year), but I think my biggest value to a team is where I can apply defensive skills to create dangerous offense. I’ve mostly played RB while at SIMA and some mid—the coaches like my versatility and believe I can play both roles effectively. 

Here’s my self-scouting report with help from analytics and feedback (this year’s Friendly Showcase and last year’s VEO): 

-Ball protector—very high passing accuracy (86%) usually with 1-2 touches

-Ball collector—great at off ball movement with speed/workrate/soccer IQ to intercept passes, block lanes, steal, pressure and otherwise get ball for our team while not making dangerous fouls. (Ave +6.5/ per 90 gains minus losses)

-Shot creator—defense leading to high % offense, being part of rapid-pass-movement build, accurate balls into box or drawing dangerous fouls. (Showcase was supporting role in 2 of 3 goals: part of build, pressure turnovers or in offensive press). 

-Distance finisher—hit quality strikes on target from distance (58% on target, 80% outside box)—not always goals, but many corners/rebound goals. Have great shot map (VEO) from last season’s club season where I was tied 1st in assists, many from tap-in rebounds. 2nd in assists HS. 

-Clutch—I love big moments and nobody intimidates me. 

-Coachable—You can play me anywhere and I’ll run through walls for you, I’ll execute your plan and communicate/encourage my teammates. Coaches have called me a “coach’s player” and I'm learning more every day. 

I hope to find a program where I can pursue degree in business and eventually have my own business at the end of what I hope to be a long soccer pro career. I might even coach someday as I’ve helped with some camps in Charleston and really enjoy working with/teaching younger players.