PACKWOOD EAGER TO CONTRIBUTE Brian Sciaretta - Thursday, October 29, 2009
While many of the USA Under-17 players are using the World Cup as a chance to earn their first professional contract, midfielder Will Packwood is already in a unique and solid position at Birmingham City.
This past fall has been very good for Boston area native. At just 16 years old, he has already made appearances with Birmingham City's reserve team this season.
"Over this season I've made a few reserve appearances, which was good," Packwood told YA said of his season so far. "It's a great experience [for me] playing alongside some pros. I think this season I am trying to get myself into the reserves and then eventually get a pro contract."
Then in September, he joined the USA U17 team in England for a series of games. In those games he would prove to Coach Wilmer Cabrera that he deserved a spot on the World Cup team.
Packwood's career has been different compared to those of his U17 teammates. When he was just 14 years old, Packwood decided to forego the usual domestic developmental paths taken by most promising American teenagers and accept a trial in England with Birmingham City.
"I went on a six-week trial three years ago over Christmas," Packwood recalled. "I missed six weeks of school and they basically said they wanted me to move over and live here and so I chose to do that with my family."
The son of an American mother and a British father, Packwood has enjoyed the transition in moving to a new country.
"Yes, it's going really well. I've experienced new things. I think I'm improving, hopefully, which is good."
After earning his place on the USA team during their trip in England, Packwood rejoined his American teammates in Florida two weeks before the World Cup to prepare for the tournament. It was there that the 6-2 Packwood began to learn how he would fit into this team.
"I've played in a few of the warm up games with the team," Packwood described of his time preparing for the World Cup. "I've played sort of a defensive center midfield role. It is the same [role] as Marlon Duran. Hopefully I'll do my part."
Despite playing abroad in the youth levels in England away from the USA scouts, Packwood was able earn a spot on the team. Packwood said that his time prior to Birmingham was very important to establishing himself into the USA youth system.
"I was with some of the younger teams, the 14s and the 15s, back when I lived [in the USA.] Then I went over to Bradenton last Christmas for a week and I've been in touch a little bit."
Packwood is very excited to be on the USA team in Nigeria at the U17 World Cup even though he did not play in the USA 2-1 opening game loss to Spain.
"It's the World Cup. It's the biggest stage. I am really, really happy to be here and excited to represent the country and try and win."
In addition to whatever kind of soccer abilities and skills he is developing, he also sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders.
Hopefully, each and every player who represents the US has a similar healthy outlook, and is motivated and determined to do their best, and give it everything they've got.
Best of luck to Will and the rest of our team. Get, go, and stay on the warpath!
Currently visting YA: 361 
See these related articles
