Amber Brooks: The Aerial Ace at UNC ODP: Where are they now?
“
She is a soccer junky who dominates aerial duals like no one else.” Those words from University of North Carolina Tar Heels head women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance describe none other than Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer’s own Amber Brooks, a former Olympic Development Program (ODP) standout who, in her sophomore year, played a pivotal role in leading the Tar Heels to 19-3-2 season. All seven senior starters who helped UNC win the national championship in 2009 went on to play in women’s professional soccer. And if Brooks, a midfielder, continues playing with the same intensity that she has always brought to the field, coach Dorrance has no qualms about predicting a pro future for #22. For her part, Brooks is firmly planted in her commitment to go as far as her potential will take her. She realized much of that potential playing
in ODP. “ODP had a lot to do with me growing up and becoming independent,” said Brooks. “It put me in a great environment where I could mature as a person and player. I took bits and pieces from all I learned from the coaches and players and added them to my game.” The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program was designed to be the premier provider of quality soccer training to elite youth soccer players in the United States and guide them to identification at the national level. Brooks was a member of the Region I ODP team from 20042009, travelling to Barbados, Spain, Brazil and Russia. Her National Team experience is extensive, having recently started on defense for the Under-20 National Team in the 2010 Under-20 World Cup in Germany and playing a pivotal role for the Under-17 Girls when they captured the silver medal in the inaugural Under-17 World Cup. She played for her club team Arsenal World Class since she was 14. But most soccer roads lead back to ODP for Brooks. She credits former Region I Girls ODP Administrator Charlotte Moran for creating equal opportunities for girls in soccer and making girls in the program more self-reliant. Brooks’ mother, Jean, is the current administrator and was a college soccer player herself along with her husband, Allan. Brooks has no hesitation in encouraging other players coming up through the ranks to get involved with ODP if they have their eyes set on playing college soccer and beyond. “With ODP, there is a consistent kind of level,” said Brooks. “You get to play with the best in your area. There is no better way to get better than to play with the best players. You are coached by some of the best. If you
aspire to get to the highest levels of soccer then I think ODP is an important part of it.” Playing for UNC has played an influential role in Brooks’ development. When it came time to choosing a school, her heart was set. “I was not going to say no to UNC,” said Brooks. “Everyday I go to practice I know I am going to be competing against the best in the country. “ And compete she does. Coach Dorrance’s philosophy of the “Competitive Cauldron” means, in part, that everything the players do in practice is recorded and the players are ranked from it. If Brooks gets the slightest hint that she is not where she wants to be then she goes into overdrive. “I am extremely competitive,” said Brooks. “At the end of the day, I am going to do whatever I can to get my team to win. You can never become too technical. Everyday you spend with the ball helps. I am always trying to embrace emotion control on the field and work on my positive leadership voice. I try to remember what my thought process was during my last successful game.” “She is a central player with excellent speed,” said coach Dorrance. “ She wants to be the best she can be at the game. I like her leadership qualities and her commitment to her development. She is a significant player for us.” Brooks was recently named to the 2010 Academic All-District Women’s Soccer Team presented by ESPN. This New Hope, Pa., native hits the books as hard as she hits the field. TL
EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA YOUTH SOCCER • TOUCHLINE 31