A grounded young lad, Erik Edwardson is anything but, on the pitch.
The high flying winger for the University of Portland Pilots men's soccer team is coming off a standout freshman season. He was an honourable mention selection for the West Coast All-Conference First Team, after cracking the starting 11 with the NCAA Division One school. The 18-year-old had three goals and two assists in 19 appearances.
The Tsawwassen Soccer Club product had high praise for his hometown association, calling it a "great program."
"The coaches do a very good job of keeping players interested, to enjoy soccer first and foremost and not to worry about results as long as they are having fun," he said.
Edwardson spent the final years of his youth career in the B.C. Premier Soccer League with the Vancouver/Richmond based Fusion F.C. where he was further developed by coach Alex Elliot.
"Erik consistently shows that he has a professional mindset and prides himself on his technical consistency," said Elliot.
It's why the University of Portland graduate had no problem recommending Edwardson to his former school. "Given that his mindset is that of a top professional, he will create further opportunity to play at the professional level" he went on to explain in an e-mail to The Optimist.
Pilots director of soccer and coach Bill Irwin echoed those statements saying "(Erik) is obviously a talented player and has a good future in the game." Irwin went on to explain that he would also like to see Edwardson be more aggressive when he gets involved, but also said "if he continues to improve he will make a living at it."
Improving is something the lone Canadian on the Pilots roster is well aware of. Portland finished the season with a 4-11-4 record, including 0-6-1 in conference play.
"It was a pretty disappointing, not making the playoffs, but it was a great learning experience and we're confident going into next season," he said. "It's important to not forget about it, but at the same time move forward from it and keep it in the back of our minds to motivate us."
Edwardson points to a lot of the steps he has taken in his life that have helped him develop as a player and a person, including a five month stint in 2013 with German powerhouse Bayern Munich.
Staying with a head scout, he trained up to three times a week with the U17 team. He also worked out with a local club just outside of the city.
"Not only learning how to play good soccer, but the language and cultural aspect of it was important too" he said on his time with the European giants. Edwardson also trained with Vancouver Whitecaps F.C. before he left for school which helped him prepare for the pace and physicality that is college soccer.
In the classroom, he isn't sure yet whether or not he will continue with his major in business "but so far I really like it and think that's something I'll probably stick too."
Though he plies his trade for the soccer team, he knows he is "there for two reasons, to play soccer and go to school. To remember who I am doing this for and I haven't lost the aspiration to play soccer professionally."
Back home for the holidays, Edwardson is looking forward to returning to Portland to finish up the school year and continuing his personal developed training program. He isn't letting his goals get in the way of the moment and what he needs to do now to succeed in the future. No matter where he ends up, he will do well.
