Kalle Heijmink Liesert

My Soccer Background

I started playing soccer at the age of five at USV Hercules, one of the best amateur academies in the Netherlands. On a very young age I was scouted by FC Utrecht and played soccer there from the Under 9 level onwards. I played soccer there until I was 12. I had a couple of trials at Vitesse and Almere City. But eventually went back to USV Hercules. Because at this club I was able to combine my academics better with soccer, it has a great vision and plays on the highest levels in the Netherlands, I still play soccer there and was scouted in the Under 14 and Under 15 by Go Ahead Eagles and FC Den Bosch. At Hercules, I often train with older teams and sometimes participate in games, including a few training sessions with the first senior team (which won from AFC Ajax in the cup in December, 3-2). I have been captain from the U13-1 at USV Hercules until now at the U18's. This role is also very suitable for me and this is also one of my qualities.

On the field I have good insight on the ball, but also without the ball. I am very tactically aware of my team and combine this with a good technical foundation. I can easily pass with left and right. I can be deployed in several positions. My preference is as a midfielder/defensive midfielder, but I can also be deployed as a central defender. Besides playing soccer at USV Hercules I am also a trainer, head coach with the under 10 and assistant coach with the under 13-1, so besides playing on the field I also increase my knowledge and understanding of soccer. I have been a trainer for 5 years and am therefore experienced when it comes to leadership.

Why I want to play College Soccer

Why I would want to play soccer in America is because I really like the sports culture in America, and it really appeals to me. I can learn a lot from it, besides that I like the way how they combine school with sports on a high level, 7 days a week. I currently maintain a 4.0 GPA on the highest level of the Dutch academic system and look for a academic program that fits my current academic level.

After college, I aspire to have a career in sports and I want to expand my opportunities this way. In my college soccer career I am looking for, a team that is ambitious, plays at a high level and wants to develop me as a player & person. I also want me to develop as an individual, on a soccer level, but also mentally (leadership, nutrition, physical). The school should strive for a high level academically and have good guidance in that between soccer and school.