GaryMrMets
06-27-2005, 02:44 PM
Soccer Is the Love for Marvell Wynne
By RAF CASERT
.c The Associated Press
ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (AP) - With powerful arms, explosive speed in his legs and major league bloodlines, Marvell Wynne could have been a baseball player.
But the 19-year-old Wynne didn't follow his father, Marvell Wynne, who played parts of eight big league seasons with Pittsburgh, San Diego and the Chicago Cubs. The younger Wynne instead turned into a vital part of the U.S. defense during the World Youth Championship.
``Right from the start, I liked soccer so much more,'' he said. ``Right from the moment my mom said, `Go out there and play.' I'm a runner. I need to run around, kick a ball, have fun.''
The Americans didn't concede a goal during the first round against Egypt, Argentina and Germany. They had a meltdown in the second half against Italy in the second round Tuesday, however, and were eliminated 3-1.
It should not spoil Wynne's tournament memories though, nor give him second thoughts.
When given the choice at an early age between the world's most popular sport and America's original game, he could not be swayed.
``When I got introduced to baseball, I said, `This is not the same, I don't like it.'''
Then he gave a list of detailed rules, the long waits between innings and the boredom of an outfielder as reasons he dropped baseball. Oh, and this: ``Truthfully, I am scared of a baseball. It looks like it is going to hit you and then it doesn't.''
Look at him as a soccer player and fear never enters the equation.
At 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds he was far from the tallest or heaviest player at the 24-nation tournament, but few exuded the presence of Wynne, who earned the nickname ``Man Child.''
He intimidates and dominates many an opposing left wing, and finds little trouble catching up with them on a run. After all, in high school he ran the 200 meters in a sizzling 21.87 seconds.
So far, it looks as though he made the right choice, even if looking up to a famous dad raised some doubts.
``There was a point when I was really young, 5 or so, when I was asking whether I could play on the same baseball team as him,'' Wynne said, recalling a childhood dream that soon vanished.
It was not as if the elder Wynne was twisting his arm to choose baseball, although there were definite advantages.
``My dad was just, you know, `You do what you want,''' Wynne recalled. ``'If you play baseball, I can show you anything you want. If you play soccer, I can't show you a thing. I'm not going to pass with you, but you go ahead and have fun.'''
Now he takes his lessons from Sigi Schmid, the U.S. soccer coach.
In his freshman year, Wynne played in all 20 games for UCLA, where Schmid has coached for 19 seasons.
``It is that the United States is so big I got the benefit of seeing Marvell play,'' Schmid said. ``If I were living in Florida, it might be other guys we are talking about.''
Schmid immediately saw Wynne's potential and, since last year, Wynne's been a rising star in U.S. soccer. His first national team appearance was in November, but he was so outstanding at right back that he blended in immediately. He played in every qualifying game for this tournament and assisted on the goal as the U.S. team upset Argentina in the opener.
``I actually like the idea that you go to school with your friends and play soccer for fun. I would not have had so many great experiences in my life,'' he said. ``So I am really glad I was able to live it out until I was 18, 19, having fun.''
Now comes decision time. Teammates openly dream of a European club contract and Jonathan Spector already has a contract with Manchester United.
Wynne isn't thinking of turning pro. As fast as he is on the field, Wynne prefers a slower pace off it.
``I want to stay at UCLA because I'm comfortable there,'' he said. ``Going to Europe would be amazing. Again, in school, I get an education. If something would come up, I would go wherever.''
06/23/05 04:50 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
By RAF CASERT
.c The Associated Press
ENSCHEDE, Netherlands (AP) - With powerful arms, explosive speed in his legs and major league bloodlines, Marvell Wynne could have been a baseball player.
But the 19-year-old Wynne didn't follow his father, Marvell Wynne, who played parts of eight big league seasons with Pittsburgh, San Diego and the Chicago Cubs. The younger Wynne instead turned into a vital part of the U.S. defense during the World Youth Championship.
``Right from the start, I liked soccer so much more,'' he said. ``Right from the moment my mom said, `Go out there and play.' I'm a runner. I need to run around, kick a ball, have fun.''
The Americans didn't concede a goal during the first round against Egypt, Argentina and Germany. They had a meltdown in the second half against Italy in the second round Tuesday, however, and were eliminated 3-1.
It should not spoil Wynne's tournament memories though, nor give him second thoughts.
When given the choice at an early age between the world's most popular sport and America's original game, he could not be swayed.
``When I got introduced to baseball, I said, `This is not the same, I don't like it.'''
Then he gave a list of detailed rules, the long waits between innings and the boredom of an outfielder as reasons he dropped baseball. Oh, and this: ``Truthfully, I am scared of a baseball. It looks like it is going to hit you and then it doesn't.''
Look at him as a soccer player and fear never enters the equation.
At 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds he was far from the tallest or heaviest player at the 24-nation tournament, but few exuded the presence of Wynne, who earned the nickname ``Man Child.''
He intimidates and dominates many an opposing left wing, and finds little trouble catching up with them on a run. After all, in high school he ran the 200 meters in a sizzling 21.87 seconds.
So far, it looks as though he made the right choice, even if looking up to a famous dad raised some doubts.
``There was a point when I was really young, 5 or so, when I was asking whether I could play on the same baseball team as him,'' Wynne said, recalling a childhood dream that soon vanished.
It was not as if the elder Wynne was twisting his arm to choose baseball, although there were definite advantages.
``My dad was just, you know, `You do what you want,''' Wynne recalled. ``'If you play baseball, I can show you anything you want. If you play soccer, I can't show you a thing. I'm not going to pass with you, but you go ahead and have fun.'''
Now he takes his lessons from Sigi Schmid, the U.S. soccer coach.
In his freshman year, Wynne played in all 20 games for UCLA, where Schmid has coached for 19 seasons.
``It is that the United States is so big I got the benefit of seeing Marvell play,'' Schmid said. ``If I were living in Florida, it might be other guys we are talking about.''
Schmid immediately saw Wynne's potential and, since last year, Wynne's been a rising star in U.S. soccer. His first national team appearance was in November, but he was so outstanding at right back that he blended in immediately. He played in every qualifying game for this tournament and assisted on the goal as the U.S. team upset Argentina in the opener.
``I actually like the idea that you go to school with your friends and play soccer for fun. I would not have had so many great experiences in my life,'' he said. ``So I am really glad I was able to live it out until I was 18, 19, having fun.''
Now comes decision time. Teammates openly dream of a European club contract and Jonathan Spector already has a contract with Manchester United.
Wynne isn't thinking of turning pro. As fast as he is on the field, Wynne prefers a slower pace off it.
``I want to stay at UCLA because I'm comfortable there,'' he said. ``Going to Europe would be amazing. Again, in school, I get an education. If something would come up, I would go wherever.''
06/23/05 04:50 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.