Stark County has been home to some talented soccer players over the years. Keri Sarver. Michael Furlong. James Haupt. Jordan Brewster. Canton Invaders legends like Jamie Swanner and Rudy Pikuzinski. Simply put, it’s never been hard to find great players and great soccer in the birthplace of American football.
Yet Colin Biros may prove to be the best of them all. The Jackson High School grad, now a freshman at the University of Akron, has already accomplished a great deal during his young career. It all started with all-county honors as a freshman at Jackson HS. He would not play high school soccer after that, instead focusing on the Crew SC Academy, where Biros proved to be one of the club’s young stars after scoring a total of 33 goals over three seasons.
“Being with the Crew for as long as I was, was one of the best decisions I ever made,” Biros commented. “Sure I had to drive a lot, but the experience I got out of it was second to none. They prepared me more than enough for this stage in my career and I can’t thank them enough. All the coaches and my teammates were top-class people and players. Giving me first-team time and exposing me to the next level was the greatest experience I can take away. It allowed me to expect and anticipate what the college level would be like.”
It should then come as no surprise that Biros would be one of the top prospects in the Class of 2018. Technically he was ranked 44th nationally, fifth in the Great Lakes Region, and the 20th-ranked midfielder. It also came as no surprise that the University of Akron would be interested in the Stark County starlet. Biros became part of yet another impressive and truly international recruiting class put together by Akron’s Jared Embick.
Going to UA wasn’t a hard sell for Biros. It was literally a dream come true.
“Living about 20 or so minutes away, I’ve been going to Akron games for as long as I can remember. I’ve been watching this team since I was a little boy and telling my dad I would be playing on that field, to accomplish that has been an amazing feeling. Watching players like Najem, Ampi (Ampaipitakwong), Wil Trapp and now being on the same field and putting on the same jersey has been a surreal experience. Seeing the legacy these guys have left behind is something I strive to do. Hopefully little kids watching us play can look up to us and say they want to be like us when they’re older. That’s the ultimate legacy.”
What the Zips received in Biros was an instant star that could contribute immediately. And that is exactly what he has done, registering one goal and one assist in eight appearances (six starts) and 442 minutes of play.
“I would describe myself as a creator,” Biros added. “When people see forward they think of a fast guy that’ll score all the goals, but I don’t see myself as that role. I see myself more as the guy on the team to connect our midfield to the front line. My job is of course to score, as well as assist. However, the forwards on our team do much more than just sit up top and wait for our opportunity.”
Embick has been impressed with Biros’ contributions to the program.
“Colin brings creativity, skill, vision and tremendous competitiveness to the squad. He is a player that can perform between the lines and deal with pressure. He is a playmaker in every sense and will be one we lean on during this year and future years to lead our attack.”
Being from a top MLS academy certainly helped Biros on his journey to the next level.
“The better players are moving to MLS academies more and more these days even if you are not from a city that has a MLS team,” Embick added. “I think one of the biggest advantages is that they have been in an environment that is run professionally and there is higher expectations about how you handle yourself on and off the field. Most MLS academies have great competition for spots so you learned how important training is to get playing time as well as it is important for development. We have been fortunate to have many good players past and present that have come from MLS academies and I anticipate us to continue to recruit from those academies in the future.”
Even Columbus Crew SC Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter has taken notice of Biros’ accomplishments.
“Colin is a young, dynamic player whose high soccer IQ allows him to solve problems and make the correct decisions on the field. We are excited to see him play for the University of Akron, one of the top collegiate soccer programs in recent years.”
Berhalter thought so much of Biros that he invited him to be part of preseason training with the Crew SC first team earlier this year. Biros even scored in a scrimmage with Seattle Sounders FC in February.
It was obviously a special time for the Canton, Ohio native.
“Going to preseason with the Crew was the most valuable experience I’ve had. Too see what the pros do for preseason and what it’s like to be in the atmosphere was amazing. Playing with Wil was great, he gave me a lot of advice coming in and gave me a lot of confidence. Getting through it and not just going through the motions, but playing well, was a big confidence boost for me. If I can do a professional preseason, I can do this. Allowing me to see the next level was truly a blessing and a fantastic experience.”
For right now his focus is on his freshman season with the Zips.
“As a freshman, it’s tough,” Biros continued. “It’s not easy, but nothing you want is going to be easy. The biggest thing I’ve learned so far from the coaching staff is, work. Being a young team isn’t an excuse for us, the standard is still the same as it always was. This game is all about hard work and working harder than you think you can. The coaches have helped me reach a level that I didn’t know I had within myself, therefore making me a better player.”
The Zips currently own a 4-4-2 record, but Biros believes the best is yet to come.
“Obviously the team has gotten off to a rocky start, but that doesn’t change the goal we have. A national championship is what’s expected and we still expect that out of ourselves. When we start playing the way we should, on our worst day would be most programs’ best day. We’re striving for everything and everything is what we can achieve. The boys are up for it and we’re ready to turn this season on it’s head and get back on track and to the way things should be.”
All of this success didn’t happen overnight and his father Michael Biros, a prominent coach, player, and educator, has been there every step of the the way to teach, to support, and to nurture his soccer star son.
“What he does best, very few players are able to do,” the elder Biros stated. “The coach and dad in me will keep encouraging him to meet the specific details and challenges to improve to be a more complete player. At each step in his youth, varsity, and Columbus Crew career, he has faced adversity and challenge to be in the selection. Yet, he has remained confident in himself, risen above the odds, and succeeded. Being able to see Colin play at the highest academy level, professional level and now collegiate level is both very rewarding and very exciting. I know how difficult it is to play at these levels, so I need to remind myself what an amazing achievement it has been so far a young player.”
Colin Biros has been part of so many accomplishments, but the best is surely yet to come. Don’t be surprised to see him join the professional ranks or even represent the U.S. (and Stark County for that matter) at the international level. He’s that good, a player that comes along once in a lifetime.
