MLS Combine Special: SLU's Patterson And Angus

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MLS Combine: Colum Angus/Kyle Patterson, St. Louis University (Billiken Media Relations)

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By Sean Grybos

Kyle Patterson and Calum Angus (photos courtesy of Billiken Media Realtions) have taken similar paths to the 2009 Major League Soccer Combine.  Both players grew up in England and climbed up the youth ranks of current Premiership clubs.  Patterson, a midfielder with blazing speed, competed in the West Bromwich Albion youth system.  Angus, a vocal defensive leader, worked his way through the Portsmouth ranks.  When deciding to come to the United States to play collegiate soccer, both chose the Saint Louis University Billikens’ program.   

Patterson and Angus ended their careers as two of the most accomplished and talented players in the country.  In 2008, Patterson played in 21 games and scored 12 goals.  He also chipped in with 5 assists.  Angus played 16 games and recorded 2 assists.  Angus was named as a first-team selection on the 2008 NSCAA/adidas Men's Division I All-America Team.  Patterson was a first-team selection on the 2008 NSCAA All-Mid-Atlantic Region Team. 

The Englishmen are now on the cusp of their professional careers as they travel to Fort Lauderdale for this weekend’s combine. Both connected via email to answer questions about their collegiate careers, their preparation for the combine, and the advantage of having SLU teammates in Florida.  

Calum Angus 

How was the experience of coming up through the Portsmouth youth ranks? 

Playing for Portsmouth was great as I supported them from a young age.  Training every day in a professional environment really helped me learn the ins-and-outs of the game.  It showed me where I need to get better in order to reach the level professional players were at.  

How satisfied are you with the 2008 season? 

Individually and collectively I was not happy with our performance.  We all thought it was going to be a special year for SLU soccer, but we did not reach the expectations we put on ourselves.  For me personally, I was hit with injury at the start of the year, so it took a while to recover from that.  With the season being so short and intense I found it difficult to get back into top shape.  

Did the level of play in college soccer surprise you?  

Yes and no really.  I knew the standard would be good because coach [Dan] Donigan explained what it was like over here but after witnessing it for myself, I was surprised with how good the standard was.  It is totally different to England in the fact that the players are a lot more athletic over here. 
 

Are you looking forward to your professional career? 

Yes I can't wait.  It has been something I wanted to do my whole life.  Once I got to the age of 18 I saw how the English game was just a dog fight in the lower leagues unlike the smooth flowing soccer we come to expect in the EPL.  Once I came over here and saw how college soccer and the MLS try to play the game the way it should be played, it made me even more excited to begin my professional career here in the USA.  Being a part of a team that is fighting to be the best is something I thrive on.  The intensity that I can only imagine comes with being a part of a professional team is something that really excites me.  

Have you been training for the combine in England? 

I have been training out in Chesterfield with Sports Enhancement.  The trainer is absolutely fantastic with me and has really prepared me for the combine.  I came over to England to see my family and I had a few days training with a club to work on my touch.  Not playing for a month takes its toll on your first touch so those few days training has helped me out a little.  

Are you happy to be attending the combine with some of your collegiate teammates? 

It’s great that I have Kyle and Brandon [Barklage] there as well.  Both are great players and good friends of mine so it will be nice to have some familiar faces at the combine.  Dado Hamzagic and Eric Sweetin were very unlucky not to have got an invite in my opinion and are very good players.  It would have been great to of had those guys with us as well because we are all close to one and other.  

Is your versatility as a player a major advantage when it comes to the combine and the MLS SuperDraft? 

Of course.  In college I was a central defender, but at the pro level I can see myself as a right back or even a right midfielder.  The more positions you can play, the more important you are to a team.  Hopefully my versatility will give me a better opportunity to make an immediate impact which will be the number one goal of mine in my first year. 
 

Kyle Patterson 

You came up through the youth system at West Bromwich Albion.  Are you happy to see the club back in the Premiership this season? 

Yes, it's great to see the club doing well.  It's also nice to see the other teams in and around my city doing well like Aston Villa, Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers  
 

What has been your assessment of collegiate soccer here in the United States? 

I think it's very competitive throughout the country. I've learnt that there are no easy games in collegiate soccer. The standard is improving every year.  Our conference is evidence that the teams are improving.  Charlotte, Umass and Dayton were all in the top 25 at some point of this season as well as us.  

What was your favorite moment from the 2008 season? 

There weren't many, but I'd have to say that our game against Charlotte on the road was the best.  It was a must win game for us if we had any chance of making the tournament and it was also a huge game for Charlotte because they were having such a great season.  We went 1-0 up, but Charlotte scored two quick goals before halftime to make it 2-1.  We managed to get one before the break to go into halftime tied 2-2.  We got a goal about 15 minutes into the second half and then hung on for the win.  This was my favorite moment because we really showed determination and fight. We were all really happy with where the team was going after that game.   

What was the most memorable moment of your collegiate career? 

Scoring the winning goal against Indiana in my junior year.  I think it was a record crowd at the time and plus Indiana v Saint Louis have such a massive rivalry so that was a special moment.  

Have you spoken to any of your former SLU teammates who have previously attended an MLS Combine? 

Yes, I've spoke to [Brian] Grazier and Jonny D [John DiRaimondo] about it.  Their main advice is to go there and be fit and healthy because it's a tough few days  

How are you preparing for the combine? 

I had a little bit of a set back with breaking my arm in the Drake game, but the doctors have cleared me to run and train now, so I've been training with the ball as much as possible. Just getting touches in and working on a few things. Also, I'm lucky that the school gym has been open over break, so I've been going in there and using the treadmill and bike to get fit.  

Are you excited to be going down to Florida with two of your teammates? 

Yes, it's great that three of us got invited.  I think the other three seniors Dado, Sweets and Pat [Dado Hamzagic, Eric Sweetin, and Pat Disbennett] are more than good enough to go down there too.  I think if we would have gone further in the tournament, we would have all got invited.

Sean Grybos is an contributor to Goal.com