CSA and OC Player of the Month Charlotte Soccer Academy and OrthoCarolina have partnered to present the Charlotte Soccer Academy Player of the Month Award.  Each month, we will recognize an outstanding player.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH - DECEMBER 2016

Anna Toohey
U17 ECNL
Class of 2019 NC State University Commitment

What position do you play? What do you like about this position?

I play striker and attacking midfield.  I enjoy using my speed and ball skills to get past defenders.  It's always nice to score, of course, but I love playing off my teammates.  At midfield, I also like distributing the ball. I think I'm good at that.

Do you have a favorite soccer memory?

A favorite memory was winning the top tier of both the Disney Classic and Jefferson Cup with CSA North when I was ten. We were ranked regularly in the top 3-10 in the nation that year.

How do you get energized for a big game?

To get energized before a game I’ll drink a protein shake three hours before a game and then just hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.  I'm usually relaxed before the start. 

What is your favorite soccer team?

Barcelona is my favorite team by far!!  I love Messi, he's amazing!!

If you’re not playing soccer what is your favorite thing to do?

Shopping, playing with 10-week old kitten Salem, hanging out with friends, spending time with family and going to church.  

CSA and OC Player of the Month Charlotte Soccer Academy and OrthoCarolina have partnered to present the Charlotte Soccer Academy Player of the Month Award.  Each month, we will recognize an outstanding player.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH - NOVEMBER 2016

Lizah Pistorio #63
U17 ECNL
Class of 2019 Ole Miss Commitment

What position do you play? What do you like about this position?

I have played goalie full time since I was 11. I have always liked defense and love those times when I have to make a quick decision. It is an adrenaline rush. During my conference, when I was young and on the Torsion team, I found myself telling Coach Duds, after he talked to me for 20 minutes, that I knew what position I liked most. I have played goalie ever since!

Do you have a favorite soccer memory?

My favorite soccer memory happened recently. It is when I told Coach Matt Mott and Coach Rob Thompson that I accepted their offer to play goalie for Ole Miss in 2019!

What are your expectations for playing at Ole Miss?

I am very excited to be a vital force as a freshman goalkeeper at Ole Miss. Coach Rob Thompson and Coach Poole (my goal coach now) grew up very close to each other in England. I love the campus in Oxford, Mississippi and the unique way that all the sports seem to support each other. The Ole Miss football coach was at my ID camp watching and talking to Coach Mott. It is a great SEC school full of so much tradition. I have three more years of training though before I start, so I must prove myself each day on the field and off.

How do you get energized for a big game?

I get pumped up when I run out on the field to start. I have a ritual of jumping up and touching the crossbar with my right hand, then I do it again with my left.

If you’re not playing soccer what is your favorite thing to do?

My favorite thing to do when I'm not playing soccer is to hang out with my friends. It doesn't matter what we do, I just like my free time. I also like watching movies and eating good food.

CSA and OC Player of the Month Charlotte Soccer Academy and OrthoCarolina have partnered to present the Charlotte Soccer Academy Player of the Month Award.  Each month, we will recognize an outstanding player.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH - OCTOBER 2016

Emma Sexton
U14 ECNL

"Anyone has the potential to be a good soccer player, try as hard as you can every day and push yourself to your strongest ability."

What position do you play? What do you like about this position?

I play center forward for U14 ECNL. Beating the last defender, nailing a shot in, hearing the shouts from the crowd and running past defenders are all things I love. Scoring goals for my team or setting up an opportunity for a teammate is the best feeling in the world. I take pride in my position each day and always try to impact the game.

Do you have a favorite soccer memory?

In the summer, my Torsion girls team won State Cup, Regionals, and got 3rd place in Nationals.  We traveled to Texas and Oklahoma.  The experience of playing against other teams across the United States was unbelievable. The competition was good and we were challenged every game. It was an honor to be selected as one of the top 18 players in the National tournament.

How do you get energized for a big game?

I try to treat every game the same. No matter the circumstance, I play as hard as I can. Before every game, I like to wake myself up by taking a shower. I like to pump up my music loud and dance with my dad. I enjoy watching highlights of professional soccer player goals. I prefer to get to the fields early and kick around with my teammates.

Do you have a favorite professional team or player?

One person I look up to is Carli Lloyd. In 2003, she was cut from the US National team. Getting cut helped her retain her focus and find her spot. Now she is a two-time gold medalist with a hat trick in the World Cup championship game against Japan. She was also nominated “2015 FIFA Player of The Year”. Her determination is very inspiring. I hope to follow in her footsteps.

If you’re not playing soccer what is your favorite thing to do?

 If I’m not playing soccer, I enjoy hanging with my friends, playing different sports, and hanging out with my two younger sisters who share the same passion as me. We like to play against each other to make ourselves better.

CSA and OC Player of the Month Charlotte Soccer Academy and OrthoCarolina have partnered to present the Charlotte Soccer Academy Player of the Month Award.  Each month, we will recognize an outstanding player.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH - SEPTEMBER 2016

Daniel Steedman
U16 US Development Academy

What position do you play? What do you like about this position?

I play center attacking mid and right wing. I like being in the midfield when I am combining with players and turning defenders. I also like to play right wing because I like to go at the left back one on one.

Do you have a favorite soccer memory?

Getting the opportunity to visit Madrid, Spain and play in Real Madrid’s training facility this summer was unbelievable. It was great to learn from the coaches and play with kids from all over the United States.

My favorite soccer memory from the trip was scoring against Real Madrid’s academy and helping my team win 2-0.

 I enjoyed playing soccer in a country that really loves soccer. I never wanted the game to end, it was a trip of a lifetime.

How do you get energized for a big game?

I like to watch the English Premier League games on early in the morning before the game. On the way to go play, I listen to music to get myself ready to compete.

Do you have a favorite professional team or player?

My favorite player to watch is Phillipe Coutinho, a Brazilian professional player. In my opinion he shows how to play the number ten better than anyone. He links up play, plays clever through balls, takes on defenders with skill and scores some incredible goals.

My favorite team is Chelsea. I’ve liked them since I was young, and love watching Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard play. Lampard scores amazing world class goals and Drogba is a great striker to watch.

If you’re not playing soccer what is your favorite thing to do?

 When I’m not playing soccer I like to hang out with my friends and play FIFA. I just love soccer.

CSA and OC Player of the Month Charlotte Soccer Academy and OrthoCarolina have partnered to present the Charlotte Soccer Academy Player of the Month Award.  Each month, we will recognize an outstanding player.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH - MAY

Isaiah Reid
U14 US Development Academy

What position do you play? What do you like about this position? 

I play left back and left wing for my academy team. I enjoy playing left wing because it gives me an opportunity to be creative and score goals. I like left back because I enjoy making overlapping runs to create goal scoring opportunities for my team.

Do you have a favorite soccer memory?

My favorite soccer memory was winning the Kick It 3v3 National Championship at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. It was my very first national tournament with my new 3v3 team after training with them for 3 months. I scored multiple goals to help my team win. When we won the finals 4-2, I was really happy and it is something that I will always remember.

How do you get energized for a big game?

I get energized for the game by listening to rap music to get pumped. I then stretch with a good dynamic warmup to get my muscles loose. After the whole team is ready to play, we huddle up and get hyped for the game.

Do you have a favorite professional team or player?

My favorite player is Arjen Robben from Bayern Munich and my favorite team is Manchester City. Arjen Robben has played for some of the best clubs in the world and has won many trophies. I am left footed like Robben, and I enjoy seeing him use creativity and beat his defenders with pace to score goals and create chances for his team. I have always been a fan of Manchester City ever since I trained with their youth academy teams in 2012. I like their style of play and they have always been one of the top competitors in the Premier League.

Besides soccer what do you like to do?

If I’m not playing soccer, I enjoy playing FIFA 16 with friends on my team or watching soccer on TV. I try to play soccer every opportunity I get, because I can’t get enough of the game.

CSA and OC Player of the Month Charlotte Soccer Academy and OrthoCarolina have partnered to present the Charlotte Soccer Academy Player of the Month Award.  Each month, we will recognize an outstanding player.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH - APRIL

Collin Thomas
U13 CSA North Elite

What position do you play? What do you like about this position?

I play right outside defender and center striker with my Elite team. I like defense because of the opportunities to connect passes and help play the ball around the field. I like the teamwork and challenge it takes to stop the opponent’s attack.

Playing striker is great not only because I get to score but also helping teammates to score.  It’s great to play on a team where everyone is talented and working hard at their position to win the game as a team.  

Do you have a favorite soccer memory?

Definitely my memories of playing for coach Mitchell, the championships we won and my teammates. At CSA, my favorite memory is when I got moved up from the select team to the Elite team at North in the spring season of 2014. I met a lot of new people and had to increase my level of play significantly. I still play with some of the same friends and some new ones and am really enjoying this season a lot!

How do you get energized for a big game?

Before a game, I like to stretch and take shots at our goal.  My dog Donder, who plays goalie, is always there trying to block the shot.  I practice my finishing and placing on goal, so that I can take advantage of opportunities that I get in the game.  At the field, I focus on my zone at warm-ups and focus on being ready for the game.  Being a part of my team’s success is important to me.

Do you have a favorite professional team or player?

My favorite professional player is Zlatan Ibrahimović. He is the captain for the Swedish national team and is the striker for Paris-Saint Germaine. I admire his incredible foot skills and his ability to finish goals and beat the defender.

If you’re not playing soccer what is your favorite thing to do?

When I am not playing soccer, I like to play video games, hangout with friends and play with my dog. I like being with my family too and my older brother and I play football, soccer and Frisbee. I also play for my school team, Randolph and like to do things at my church and with my cousins.

CSA and OC Player of the Month Charlotte Soccer Academy and OrthoCarolina have partnered to present the Charlotte Soccer Academy Player of the Month Award.  Each month, we will recognize an outstanding player.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH - MARCH

Ruthie Jones  #65
CSA Elite Club National League Team
U15 US Soccer National Team

What's your favorite part of playing goalkeeper?

The perspective I have being goalkeeper is unique – I like being able to step back and see what’s going on in a different way from most players.

Do you have a favorite soccer memory?

When I was twelve, my team went to its first big tournament.  We made it to the finals and the winner of the game came down to a shoot-out. I was new and nervous, but my coach and team kept saying I would do great. As my opponent approached, I decided just to stare at her and be as big as I could seem in hopes of getting into her mind. I guess it worked because she hit the crossbar and we won the game!

How do you get energized for a big game?

I grew up playing with a group of friends, it’s great to be able to have that bond. We carpool together and have a lot of fun on our way to games.  Once I get to the game I huddle with my team. We get in the zone by talking about what we are going to accomplish and how we are going to win.

Do you have a favorite professional team or player?

Carli Lloyd sticks out to me. She was the 2015 FIFA player of the year. When she was a junior in college she almost quit playing because she didn’t think she was good enough. She had the technical skill but she let self-doubt get inside her head. Her story taught me that there will be ups and downs but keeping a positive attitude and staying committed can help when it gets tough.

Do you have any advice for other players on how to get to the next level?

Learn as much as you can about the game. You can never know too much and you can always get better. Remember who you are as a player and why you love the game.  The reason I play is because I love the game of soccer and I love the relationships I’ve made.  I enjoy playing with my teammates and trying to get better together.