Mack van der Velde '17 Recruiting Profile

I have been playing organized soccer since I was a 4 year old in the Netherlands.  (That is where I learned to love the game.)  The first time I touched a ball I knew I wanted to play soccer at a collegiate level. I give my utmost effort and encouragement on and off the field. I am strong in the air, good at one-two touch passing, and a high level of knowledge and love for the game.  I am very coachable and, have experience in every position except goalkeeper. I can easily be moved around the field to fill needed positions.  I pride myself in being one of the hardest working players on and off the field.  For the past 3 years I drove for 2 ½ hours to practice and 2 ½ hours back two or three times a week.

     My body shape is lean, at 6’1” and 155 lbs. In club soccer, I captained my team to the 2013 US club soccer nationals and 2014 western regionals.  In my high school soccer career, I made varsity as a freshman and our team won the state title. Sophomore year I was a starter and helped my team to the state semi-finals.  Junior year I captained my team to the quarterfinals.

     Off of the field, I am enrolled in AP classes and maintain above a 3.8 GPA.  In addition, I work as a member of the outside service staff at Tetherow Golf Course in Bend, Oregon.  Lastly I coach three 8-10 year olds every other week in soccer helping with their touches and their understanding of the game.

     I would like to attend a college that has a strong engineering and business program.   Where I will be challenged in school and also able compete on the team.  I am open to playing at any level and in any region. I prefer the schools located to be on outer parts of cities (not in the downtown).  The preferred size for me would be a medium to small college.  While playing at college I would like to be a contributor but, do not expect to be given it right away without putting in the effort for it.