USC Union Soccer Team Unites Players from 10 Different Countries

Bantam Soccer is back for the season! This year, the team is comprised of players from close to home and from across the world, representing 10 countries in total. Meet a few of our Bantam soccer players.

Nico Steinweg from Dortmund, Germany is back for his second season with the team, playing as a striker. He is excited about the diversity on this year's team and getting to play with students from so many different countries. A Business major, he is enjoying the community here. "It's like a family," he said, reflecting that the atmosphere is very different from his home city, one of the largest in Germany. "You get to know people and people get to know you."

Colby Suber from Clinton, S.C. is happy to be learning a higher level of the sport and getting his first year of experience. He says that the energy between himself and his fellow goalkeepers is very competitive. "It's good because we bring a lot of different styles and methods," he said. A Business major, Suber is glad to be playing close to home so that his family can come watch his games.

"There is a lot of intensity and energy," said Mila Mzamane, freshman right wing from Johannesburg, South Africa. "We are all excited to achieve one goal: be the best." He says that the team can learn so much from each other because they come from different cultures. A Business major, Mzamane says that when he graduates from USC Union, he wants to return to South Africa to work towards his dream of becoming a professional footballer while also continuing his education. For now, he is enjoying the "peace and quiet" of Union compared to his home city.

"There should be nothing in our way," said Michael Murphy, who is returning for his sophomore year as a defender. "We should be making sure we are on our game." He is excited to play again and get to know his new teammates. He says he feels "more comfortable" this year and can enjoy playing a bit more. A Physical Therapy major from Luton, England, Michael enjoys attending school here in Union because everything is far apart geographically and he does not have a car, which helps him stay put and focus on his studies and practice.

 Coach Marc Curlee says he is "optimistic" about this season. "The comradery on the team is great," he said. "Last year was the best season we had. You build a program year to year and that is what we are doing here. I am really happy with the team."