Jake Young has a lofty goal this year: to win two soccer national championships. How could this be possible? Young has been playing for the Chattanooga Football Club this summer before he returns to the University of Charleston for his senior season.
“I feel like it’s time for me to get greedy and win two national championships in one year,” Young said.
While winning two national championships with two different teams might seem like an unrealistic goal on the surface, Young actually has a decent chance to achieve his goal. Chattanooga FC will be playing in the NPSL national semifinals this Saturday against the Sonoma County Sol. Young’s team at the University of Charleston fell in double overtime in the Division II national semifinals this past year. So if Chattanooga can survive and advance and if UC can have another strong season then Young’s goal might be so unrealistic after all.
The England-born defender left his home country to pursue his soccer career in the United States when he joined the University of Charleston as a freshman.
“I settled in quickly, but I miss my family,” he said, “Family is very important to me. It’s hard at times, being so far away from home.”
But Young’s time in Charleston and Chattanooga has made his homesickness a minimal problem at best.
“Having teammates and friends at places like Charleston and Chattanooga make it a lot easier,” he said. “The bonds you make through the sport are incredible.”
Young has not only enjoyed his new friendships but has also relished his education in the States and thinks his home country can learn from the United States’ collegiate offerings.
“Many boys back home end up leaving clubs they gave their all too with nothing in return,” he explained. “Here you can have a great sporting experience alongside an education. This has opened my eyes to different job and career opportunities.”
Young’s ultimate career goal is to stay in soccer, whether that be on or off the field.
“It’s a sport I am going to love and be involved with for the rest of my life.”
For now, Young has the Sonoma County Sol to worry about.
“They’re a good team,” he said, “They wouldn’t be here (in the semi-finals) otherwise. But if we play the way we know we can then we will win this game.”
Young also sees his team’s depth as an advantage for Saturday’s semifinal match.
“Our depth allows us to prepare in many different ways and gives us different attacking and defensive formations that other teams do not have.”
Chattanooga FC will also have the home field advantage on Saturday and will be opening the north side of Finley Stadium in hopes of filling the venue. We predict the stadium will be filled, as Chattanooga has had some of the best fans in the NPSL all season long.
If you want to be a part of what should be a surreal fan experience, you should head out to Chattanooga’s Finley Stadium at 7:30 pm ET on Saturday for this epic semifinal match. It’s going to be good.
