With six teams currently ranked in the top 13 of the latest NSCAA National Ranking, most would consider the Big East conference as the strongest league in Division I men’s soccer this fall. Amongst all those great teams, one player, is scoring goals at an alarming rate to keep his team, Notre Dame (13-3-1, 5-2-1), in the race for not only a Big East Championship, but also a National Championship. Senior forward, Ryan Finley, has become a familiar name in the Big East and prior to his transfer to Notre Dame, he terrorized ACC defenders while playing for Duke for two seasons. This fall, he ranks second nationally with 17 goals and third in points with 37. Earlier this week, Soccer Banter spoke with Finley about college soccer, the upcoming postseason, and his own development. With MLS clubs always looking for a natural goal scorer, Finley should become a hot commodity at the 2013 MLS Draft.
Soccer Banter: What would you attribute to the team being so successful so far this season? What makes the Big East conference such a tough league?
Ryan Finley: Last year we didn’t have as good a season as we would have liked and going into this season we had a bit of a chip on our shoulder. We have focused on every single game and have not looked past anyone. We have done well so far, but there is still a long way to go. You just have to look at the standings to know how hard this conference is. But these conference games help us prepare for the postseason, especially away games at places like Louisville and UConn.
Soccer Banter: What would you attribute to the team being so successful so far this season? What makes the Big East conference such a tough league?
Ryan Finley: Last year we didn’t have as good a season as we would have liked and going into this season we had a bit of a chip on our shoulder. We have focused on every single game and have not looked past anyone. We have done well so far, but there is still a long way to go. You just have to look at the standings to know how hard this conference is. But these conference games help us prepare for the postseason, especially away games at places like Louisville and UConn.
SB: What team and individual goals did you have prior to the season?
RF: Individually my goal was to help the team as much as I can - whether it’s scoring or setting up goals. I also wanted to work as hard as I can every practice and game. As a team, our goals were to win the Big East regular season and tournament championships and win a National Championship.
SB: For those that haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player? Is there a player you try to model your game after?
RF: I am center forward that is constantly moving off the ball – whether it’s checking runs to get the ball or dangerous runs in behind the back four. This past year I have spent a lot more time on my finishing because last season I felt I didn’t finish all the chances I had. I feel this has helped improve my game a lot this season. As a kid I watched Ruud van Nistelrooy a lot, whether it was on video or live games, playing for Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Holland.
SB: How has college soccer helped develop you as a player?
RF: I think lots of kids turn professional either before college or leave college early, but they aren’t getting games at the next level. Each fall in college, we get 20-25 games and then in the spring we get 5-6 games with the opportunity to get fitter and stronger. It’s been great playing for Coach Clark, as he runs a great system that has helped me improve as a player.
RF: Individually my goal was to help the team as much as I can - whether it’s scoring or setting up goals. I also wanted to work as hard as I can every practice and game. As a team, our goals were to win the Big East regular season and tournament championships and win a National Championship.
SB: For those that haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player? Is there a player you try to model your game after?
RF: I am center forward that is constantly moving off the ball – whether it’s checking runs to get the ball or dangerous runs in behind the back four. This past year I have spent a lot more time on my finishing because last season I felt I didn’t finish all the chances I had. I feel this has helped improve my game a lot this season. As a kid I watched Ruud van Nistelrooy a lot, whether it was on video or live games, playing for Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Holland.
SB: How has college soccer helped develop you as a player?
RF: I think lots of kids turn professional either before college or leave college early, but they aren’t getting games at the next level. Each fall in college, we get 20-25 games and then in the spring we get 5-6 games with the opportunity to get fitter and stronger. It’s been great playing for Coach Clark, as he runs a great system that has helped me improve as a player.
SB: Describe the experience of spending two years in the U17 residency program at Bradenton?
RF: It was a very tough decision to go, but ultimately my family and I decided it was the best thing for my development as a player. It was the most fun two years of my life and a decision I would never change. Can’t ask for much more than being able to play soccer everyday. While down there, I developed life-long friendships with people that I still stay in touch with. Just last summer, I saw Coach Hackworth when he was coaching with the Philadelphia Union and it brought me back instantly to Bradenton.
Any time I have put on the United States jersey, it’s a special time – whether it’s against an international opponent or just a friendly against a club team. I have so much respect for the crest and the jersey itself and I feel so blessed and humbled to have worn it.
SB: With your college career nearly coming to an end, what are your thoughts on soccer professionally? Have you thought about playing in MLS or overseas?
RF: I have thought about the MLS Draft and the league is getting better every year. I think it’s a great league for young players to prove themselves with the opportunity to get games. But, to be honest, with our own season at Notre Dame going so well, I haven’t thought about it too much.
RF: It was a very tough decision to go, but ultimately my family and I decided it was the best thing for my development as a player. It was the most fun two years of my life and a decision I would never change. Can’t ask for much more than being able to play soccer everyday. While down there, I developed life-long friendships with people that I still stay in touch with. Just last summer, I saw Coach Hackworth when he was coaching with the Philadelphia Union and it brought me back instantly to Bradenton.
Any time I have put on the United States jersey, it’s a special time – whether it’s against an international opponent or just a friendly against a club team. I have so much respect for the crest and the jersey itself and I feel so blessed and humbled to have worn it.
SB: With your college career nearly coming to an end, what are your thoughts on soccer professionally? Have you thought about playing in MLS or overseas?
RF: I have thought about the MLS Draft and the league is getting better every year. I think it’s a great league for young players to prove themselves with the opportunity to get games. But, to be honest, with our own season at Notre Dame going so well, I haven’t thought about it too much.
SB: What is your most memorable moment so far as a player?
RF: After two years in the residency program, I returned to Rancocas Valley High School as a senior. That year I was reunited with my friends I grew up playing with and we won the New Jersey State Championship. It was a great feeling to win it with those guys.
SB: Do you watch much soccer? If so, what leagues, who are your favorite players, favorite teams?
RF: I try to watch as many games as I can. I always get excited for the big games like this past weekend when Manchester United played Chelsea. I enjoy watching all the top leagues and obviously seeing Barcelona and Messi do their thing.
SB: Looking ahead to Syracuse, the Big East Tournament, and the NCAA tournament. What needs to happen for Notre Dame to find success and win a championship?
RF: I think with our regular season results we have really setup ourselves well for the postseason. We have played some tough games against great competition. We need to continue to play with that chip on our shoulder with the goal to make a deep run in both the Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.
RF: After two years in the residency program, I returned to Rancocas Valley High School as a senior. That year I was reunited with my friends I grew up playing with and we won the New Jersey State Championship. It was a great feeling to win it with those guys.
SB: Do you watch much soccer? If so, what leagues, who are your favorite players, favorite teams?
RF: I try to watch as many games as I can. I always get excited for the big games like this past weekend when Manchester United played Chelsea. I enjoy watching all the top leagues and obviously seeing Barcelona and Messi do their thing.
SB: Looking ahead to Syracuse, the Big East Tournament, and the NCAA tournament. What needs to happen for Notre Dame to find success and win a championship?
RF: I think with our regular season results we have really setup ourselves well for the postseason. We have played some tough games against great competition. We need to continue to play with that chip on our shoulder with the goal to make a deep run in both the Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament.
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