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Fury latest stop on township pair’s path to pro soccer

By rich Fisher different ways. nian the Fury’s defensive leader.
“Success brings success for the most “He was our main guy in the back all
Soccer players Dylan Smith and part, but it’s good and bad at the same spring,” Smith said. “We’ve got a lot of
Kyle Nuel encountered one another time,” he said. “It’s obviously great in chemistry together so it’s fun playing
once in high school, battling in a 2009 terms of playing well. That’s what you’re with him. And he works so hard, him
game when Smith was a senior at Stein- looking to do. But you also like to be a lit- and another kid, Luke Finkelstein, are
ert and Nuel a sophomore at Hamil- tle challenged. Not that we’re not being my two buddies on the team and they’re
ton West. Eight years later, the two are challenged in games, but there were fitness freaks. I’m training to try and
chasing similar dreams as professional some games where we were almost keep up with them, and they’ve helped
teammates. coasting.” raise my level. They’re professionals on
They recently completed their spring Smith played as a central holding mid- and off the field, so that’s awesome.”
season with the American Soccer fielder, a role that requires involvement Nuel and Smith took similar routes to
League’s Philadelphia Fury by going in both attack and defense. the Fury, as both played in college and
10-0 and winning the league title with a “I’m sitting right in the middle call- overseas before beginning their profes-
1-0 victory over Maryland SGFC. ing all the shots defensively and offen- sional careers in the America.
The ASL is a developmental league sively,” he said. “So, I take just as much Smith is the son of local legend and
that provides American soccer players pride in clean sheets as in scoring six U.S. Soccer icon Bobby Smith. Smith is
with professional opportunities along goals in a game.” a Steinert grad and U.S. Soccer Hall of
with a direct pathway into the major soc- He collected four goals and six assists. Fame member who played profession-
cer leagues around the world. All play- Nuel feels Smith is one of the most intel- ally and on the Mens’ National Team.
ers must be registered as professionals ligent Americans he has ever played Dylan Smith also went to Steinert,
with FIFA and US Soccer. with. where he admits he did better on the
Nuel signed with Philadelphia last fall “You can just tell he’s a player that Hamilton West alum Kyle Nuel field than in the classroom. “I kind of
and eventually urged the club to con- can think himself through a game as played left fullback for the screwed up in high school,” Smith said.
sider acquiring Smith. The Fury already opposed to players that work themselves Philadelphia Fury of the American “I didn’t care about grades as much as
knew of him and had no problem doing through a game,” Nuel said. Soccer League. He convinced I should have.” After high school, he
so. Smith arrived this spring, and both Nuel said Smith reads games well, the Fury to take a look at fellow played soccer at Mercer County Com-
players are gearing up for the fall cam- frequently winning the ball back from Hamiltonian Dylan Smith. munity College, even though some saw
paign, which is considered the main sea- opponents and distributing the ball to Division I potential in him.
son in ASL play. teammates from a deep position. “Once He has also picked up a reputation
“Winning the title and going unde- he’s on the ball, he’s very clever and can his offensive skills come in handy play- over the years as someone who thought
feated was a great step, it’s always excit- make a really good pass,” he said. ing a wide defensive position. “I do my he was special because of who his father
ing,” Smith said. “It turns people’s eyes Nuel played at left fullback after play- defensive duties well but I also offer that is — a charge he feels is unfair.
and opens some doors for you.” ing most of his career as a forward or ability to go forward and add a little bit “I’d always heard, for some reason,
After the Fury outscored its oppo- attacking midfielder. He enjoyed play- offensively,” he said. that I’ve got all the talent in the world but
nents 28-3, Nuel saw the season in two ing as an attacker, but also feels that Smith considers his fellow Hamilto- I thought I was this or that because I’m

Sat Aug 5, 7:00PM Thu Aug 17, 7:00PM Thu Aug 24, 7:00PM
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Join us as we honor local Military Check out the Thunder as they wear special Celebrate your favorite Hockey team at
personnel in our community with a beach-themed jerseys during the game. Hockey Night at ARM & HAMMER Park.
special pre-game on-field ceremony. Thirsty Thursday Thirsty Thursday

Post-Game Fireworks Ages 21 and over. Ages 21 and over.
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Lucy (and her diamonds) won't Take in the awe-inspiring What's better than a fireworks
be the only thing in the sky majesty of our post-game spectacular on Thunder Road
during our fireworks fireworks spectacular after the set to music by The Boss
spectacular set to music by game set to a musical theme himself, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN?
THE BEATLES! based on a FAN VOTE! Nothing, that's what.
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30Hamilton Post | August 2017