USL Feature
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
BRADENTON, Fla. – When the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association unveiled its plan to build the game a little more than two years ago with the introduction of Antigua Barracuda FC, the hope was that it would provide a platform not only for the nation’s experienced players to build their games, but that it would bring greater professionalism to the country’s young players who were making their first steps into professional soccer.
With the development and maturation of players such as Stefan Smith and Quinton Griffith, the program appears to be ahead of schedule.
For Smith, who currently has four goals in eight games in USL PRO this season, the opportunity to become a full-time professional has been particularly important. Nicknamed ‘Tommy’, Smith had five goals and an assist in 19 games a season ago, and then went on to finish as the leading scorer in the Antigua Premier Division this winter, helping Old Road FC to the league championship.
The 22-year-old certainly feels as though he has progressed, thanks in part to the opportunity the Barracudas have offered for year-round soccer. With the manner in which his speed and improved strength have posed difficulties for opposing defenses in USL PRO this season, and the amount he has been able to learn from experienced national team member Peter Byers, Smith certainly appears to be on the right track for success.
“Yeah, feel like I’ve made a jump,” Smith said. “I’ve been working hard throughout the season, and it’s really paying off. Pete is a very good player, he motivates me more, you know, gives me the encouragement I need. I really like playing with him. He talks a lot, good communication, it’s good.”
Byers, who has been one of the creators for Smith this season picking up three assists, is pleased to see the progress Smith has made.
“Very much,” Byers said. “He’s a very hard worker, and he can finish the ball very good, so if he keeps working hard and keeps finishing, he’ll be one of our top strikers.”
As aggressively as he now plays on the field, however, Smith is still somewhat quiet off it. According to Barracudas Director of Soccer Fernando Abraham, who also acts as the manager of the Antigua and Barbuda national team, getting Smith to open up more, and become more expressive on the field, is one of the key accomplishments on a personnel front for Coach Tom Curtis since taking up his position.
“Tommy, over the years, has shown good potential, but never really maximized it,” Abraham said. “I think because in the past he has been pulling back inside himself a little, but Tom Curtis spoke with him and got him to open up himself. He’s full of potential, and full of ability, and now he’s going out and really doing his thing.
“He’s made a lot of progress, and I’m extremely happy for him. He’s continuing to grow every day, because his game keeps improving all the time.”
Along with Smith and Griffith, other young players are also coming through the ranks with the Barracudas. Players such as Akeem Thomas (22 years old), Roy Gregory (22), Eugene Kirwan (19) and Elvis Thomas (18) are all current members of the Barracudas that will hopefully carry things forward for the national team in future years.
For Byers, the new crop of players coming up through the ranks now, and those that will follow them in the future, have a big opportunity to carry the country’s soccer team even further forward.
“[With] Antigua reaching this stage, people are probably thinking this will be the farthest Antigua will ever go,” Byers said, “but I see Antigua with a lot of young players in our team who are looking forward to the rest of their careers. I know they will be high in their football level and it will help Antigua to get further and further.”
If that happens, Smith’s goals will likely be a big part of the equation.