HARRISON, N.J. (December 12, 2014) – Three players with ties to the New York Red Bulls academy, including two players with a homegrown tag, will vie for an NCAA Division I championship this weekend. Providence senior Brandon Adler and his 11th-ranked Friars will face off against No. 2 UCLA, while Scott Thomsen and Nate Odusote will suit up for No. 16 Virginia as the Cavaliers take on unranked UMBC. Both games are set for Friday, December 12 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.
Adler and Thomsen both carry homegrown tags, a designation earned by having met the MLS requirements for time spent living in a club’s home territory and time developing within an organization’s academy system.
Adler, a senior defender, has made 19 appearances, including 18 starts, for Providence this season. Adler leads a defensive corps that has allowed just 23 goals in 22 games this season, helping the Friars compile their 16-4-2 record. Adler spent six seasons as part of the Red Bulls academy system, and was a team captain for three of those years. The Montville, N.J. native is working towards a degree in Elementary and Special Education.
Thomsen, a junior, has appeared in all 21 of the Cavalier’s games this season, making 20 starts both on the backline and in midfield. The Brick, N.J., native scored one goal and had a team-high eight assists. His 10 points are second on the team. His lone score came as a game-winner in a 1-0 victory over in-state rival Virginia Tech. Thomsen most recently competed for RBNY as part of the U-23 team that saw action in the Lamar Hunt Open Cup last summer. He also won the NPSL championship with the U-23s in August at Red Bull Arena.
Odusote, a freshman defender, saw action in six games for UVA this season. Odusote, born in London, lives in North Haledon, N.J., and won three Northeast Division championships as part of the Red Bulls academy.
In all, the Red Bulls have ties to 33 current NCAA Division I players, including 26 with the homegrown tag.
Both semifinal games will be broadcast on ESPNU. The NCAA Championship match is set for Sunday, December 14 in Cary, N.C., also on ESPNU.
The New York Red Bulls maintain one of the premier youth soccer development programs in the United States, committed to identifying and developing talent in the tri-state area. All five age groups, U-12s, 13s, 14s, 16s and 18s, are consistently ranked among the top programs in the nation, and Red Bulls players make regular appearances in U.S. Soccer Youth National Teams and NCAA Division I programs. For more information about Red Bulls academy and training programs, visit www.redbullsacademy.com/.
