Soccer remains the world’s game. There’s no question about that.
Its lure is global and has smitten an ever-increasing number of Americans with love for the game.
Chula Vista native David Schipper is one of them.
Now, 27, the Bonita Vista High School alumnus has both figuratively and literally played the world’s game — around the world.
He is currently playing in his second season with Southern United FC in New Zealand after playing several years in Canada, Brazil and Europe. He has also spent some time on trials in Mexico and, of course, in the United States.
He played for Team USA at the 2017 Maccabiah Games in Israel.
He’s even played indoor soccer.
“It’s definitely been quite the journey, but I love it — I’m living my dream,” he explained.
Getting his kicks
Schipper’s soccer story starts in Chula Vista. He played for the Bonita Rebels (now Rebels Soccer Club) from ages 7 to 10 before moving on to play for the Crusaders from ages 10-13.
He finished off his youth soccer career with the La Jolla Nomads.
He attended Bonita Vista High School from 2006-10. He later attended the University of Arizona and played soccer all four years there (2010-14).
Schipper played only one season at Bonita Vista High School due to participating in the Nomads’ Development Academy and being part of the USA U17 national team player pool.
He said he doesn’t necessarily regret opting out of the high school sports experience.
“I believe that some of the advantages of playing in the Development Academy with the Nomads as opposed to playing high school allowed me to fully focus and commit myself to my ultimate goal of reaching the next level,” Schipper explained. “It allowed me to play and compete with top quality players week in and week out on a daily basis.
“Don’t get me wrong, high school soccer definitely has some high level players and it was extremely tough to not be able to play a full season with all of my friends but ultimately the opportunities from being with Nomads outweighed anything that high school soccer had to offer me at that time.
“The rewards of having to stick with a firm decision and to dedicate and commit myself with the Nomads allowed me to realize to trust the process and to work hard and to really just enjoy and play the game that I love to the best of my ability day in and day out which is what I’ve been doing throughout my adult career and luckily it has gotten me as far as I am today.”
Soccer timeline
Schipper competed with various amateur/semi-pro teams during the summer throughout college.
He made appearances for Chula Vista FC in 2012 and 2013 and played for FC Tucson of the United Soccer Leagues’ Premier Development League.
Schipper began his professional career in 2014 when he was invited to Mexico for preseason trials with both Dorados de Sinaloa and Atlante FC in the Ascenso MX (the second tier in Mexican soccer).
He signed his first professional contract with the Seattle Impact of the Major Arena Soccer League in November 2014, appearing in six games while scoring three goals on nine shots. He scored the game-winning goal in a 6-5 victory against the Sacramento Surge.
He also played outdoor soccer in 2014 for the FC Force in the National Premier Soccer League, generally considered the fourth division in the United States. He scored four goals in 11 games for the Force, which won the Southwest Division and advanced as far as the region semifinals.
Schipper expanded his horizons considerably in 2015 after earning a trial with the York Region Shooters in the Canadian Soccer League; he impressed the club enough to sign him to a three-year contract.
The Shooters advanced as far as the semifinals his first season with the team. The Canadian club won its fifth regular season championship in 2016 but advanced only as far as the semifinal playoffs, losing in a penalty shootout.
He scored 17 goals in 56 games with the team in the first two seasons of his contract.
It was also in 2015 that Schipper played in 12 games on loan to Brazilian club Goiatuba Esporte Clube, scoring two goals.
Schipper opted out of the final year of his contract with the Shooters to play in Europe, securing a deal with Albatroz SC of the Latvian Second League. The European club finished as regional champions. Schipper scored nine goals in 27 games.
He also appeared in four games on loan to fellow Latvian club FK Jürnieks.
Schipper inked a two-year deal with New Zealand Football Championship side Southern United FC. He scored 13 goals in 28 games for Southland United during the 2018 season.
Globe-trotter
Schipper’s worldwide travels have provided him with a unique experience of being able to compare the level and styles of various leagues around the globe.
“I have been fortunate enough to have played in six countries and each has their different styles and level of play,” Schipper said.
“The most interesting and toughest was probably Latvia as it was the one county I really struggled to be able to communicate because of the language, but they have all had their ups and downs and adjustments for sure.
“My first go in the world of professional soccer was in Mexico and the style played in Mexico is probably closest to what I play and prefer where the ball is mostly on the ground with quick one-two touches, very technical and pretty fast-paced.
“Playing in Canada wasn’t too much of an adjustment for me as their style of play is very similar to the one here in America and it’s something I am just familiar and comfortable with.
“Brazil was probably where I played with the most fun, joy and freedom just because of the ‘Joga Bonito’ style they have where literally all of the players can make a defender look silly.
“Latvia and New Zealand were where I had to make the most adjustment to my game. In Latvia you get what you would expect in any European league in which you have some very talented and gifted players but you also have those nasty, rough and ruthless players.
“New Zealand was a bit tough as well just because of the extremely physical style they play as well as depending a lot on speed, size and strength in order to win games.”
Hoes does he rate comparable leagues in the United States?
Locally, Albion Soccer Club San Diego’s team in the NPSL recorded its third consecutive upset victory by stunning FC Arizona, 2-1, last Saturday in Mesa to win the league’s west regional championship trophy and advance to the national semifinals.
ASC San Diego will get a chance to make a name for itself when it faces the top-seeded New York Cosmos in a cross-country road match this Saturday, July 27, in Long Island.
The winner advances to the national championship game on Aug. 3.
“It’s tough for me to compare to the NPSL because I haven’t played in a match in that league since 2014 when I graduated from college, so I couldn’t really say, but from what I do remember, especially from teams here in San Diego, they have tons of quality players and that just shows how much local talent there is here in San Diego,” Schipper said.
The world of professional soccer has provided another important vista. He is in position to make other observations of how soccer is received by fans around the world.
There are other forms of “football” that exist alongside soccer.
“New Zealanders pride themselves in rugby for sure and that is their main sport without a doubt,” Schipper said. “They also play a lot of cricket and netball, which does take many fans away from connecting to soccer. Of course, they have fans who follow soccer just as we do here in the USA, so it is actually very similar to it here, as we have our popular sports being football, baseball and basketball, which sort of makes soccer an outcast.”
Schipper, however, doesn’t see himself as an outcast. He still has dreams of playing at higher levels before his career is finished.
“I have always dreamt of playing soccer professionally ever since I was young and I told myself I would do anything possible in order to make my dream a reality,” he said. “I know how difficult it was and how much hard work, sacrifice and dedication my family and I have put into this game and, of course, I want to be able to have a professional career of 10-plus years. I am going into my sixth year, so hopefully it can happen.”
When his playing career does finally end, there are other options to stay connected to the game he loves.
“Playing in so many different parts of the world has really opened my eyes to all the different styles of play and I have gained so much knowledge from all the coaches I’ve played under that once I step away from the game as a player I would love to be able to coach at the collegiate or professional level for sure,” he said.
Schipper also keeps his eye on the world’s elite leagues, which is not surprising.
“I do follow pro soccer, mostly European football, but I’ll watch some MLS games from time to time, especially if a buddy of mine is going to play,” Schipper explained. “I also started watching it more ever since the U.S. failed to qualify for the World Cup and hired the new coach (Gregg Berhalter). It’s cool to watch some games to see if I can spot any possible youngsters that might get the call up and opportunity to represent our country as the current coach gets many players from MLS to form his roster.”
ASC San Diego still getting its kicks
ASC San Diego has made a name for itself this summer, and it’s not over.
The team, which plays its home games at Mission Bay High School, is making the cross-country trek this weekend to meet the top-seeded New York Cosmos in the semifinal round of the National Premier Soccer League’s 2019 playoffs.
A win will send the San Diego team to the Aug. 3 championship game. A loss would do little to stain what has already been a breakout season for the local kickers.
ASC is riding a string of three upset wins — all on the road — that rewarded the team with its first regional championship trophy. San Diego defeated top-seeded FC Golden State and Crossfire Redmond (Wash.) in penalty shootouts.
ASC captured the NPSL’s West Region championship with a 2-1 victory against host FC Arizona on July 20, to bring home the team’s first regional championship trophy.
The semifinal pairing against the Cosmos is a dream come true, standing as an opportunity to test where ASC stands in the national soccer landscape.
The Albion pros take an overall 15-5-1 (W-L-T) record to New York. The Cosmos finished regular season play 13-0-1.
“The semifinal match-up with the New York Cosmos obviously puts us on the national stage,” San Diego head coach Ziggy Korytoski explained. “It’s the most storied franchise in the United States as it was home to players like Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto, Raul and Marco Senna. They were the show in late 70s and have as many national titles as the likes of L.A. Galaxy and DC United. It is a special organization with an incredible history … and now we’re ready to prove that we are the next bit of soccer history in our country.”
Game on
ASC San Diego began its incredible championship odyssey by upsetting top-seeded FC Golden State in a dramatic penalty shootout on July 7 to kick off quarterfinal play. The San Diego team found itself down, 2-1, in stoppage time before tying the game on a miracle play in the dying seconds of the 30-minute overtime period.
Elijah Rice put ASC up 1-0 in the 71st minute only to have Golden State notched the equalizer three minutes later. Golden State went up 2-1, in the 111th minute as the teams advanced to overtime. Evans Frimpong scored the equalizer initiated on a free kick from 60 yards out.
In the shootout tiebreaker, Kuba Waligorski, Khadim Seye, Ricky McKenzie and Castle Park High School alumnus Felipe Liborio all scored for ASC while goalkeeper Jean Antoine stopped two shots.
ASC San Diego next made the 1,256-mile trek to Washington State on July 12 to defeat host Crossfire Redmond in another shootout tiebreaker. Ozzie Ramos put ASC ahead, 1-0, in the 70th minute. But Redmond tied the game in the 82nd minute to bring on a scoreless overtime period in the regional semifinal match.
ASC emerged on top, 3-1, in the penalty shootout as McKenzie, Ramos and Seye all scored for the visitors while Antoine made one save (and another Redmond shot hit the post).
Despite playing their third consecutive playoff match on the road and sweltering in a 108-degree temperature at kickoff, ASC made it three wins in a row by upsetting one of the top teams in the league in FC Arizona.
Waligorski gave the San Diegans a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute during a goalmouth scramble; ASC took a 2-0 lead on an Arizona own goal in the 29th minute.
Omar Nuno, the 2018 NPSL Golden Boot winner, scored in the 53rd minute to halve the ASC lead but there would be no overtime as Antoine made a spectacular diving save in the 73rd minute and the San Diego defense dug in with maximum effort in the final minutes.
It’s a team effort that has produced maximum results so far.
“The players have been fantastic,” Korytoski said. “They prepare daily, have bought into our culture and represent America’s Finest City with respect, passion and inspiration. This team is talented and as good as any team in the country… at any level.”
The San Diego coach said club leadership has been another key to success.
“The support from our owner Noah Gins has been tremendous,” Korytoski said. “He spoke of a vision four years ago when we first met and has done everything possible to see it into fruition. His support and professionalism is second to none. San Diego is lucky to have him leading the vision for professional soccer here as it takes more than talent or a name. It takes commitment, follow through and the ability to execute without excuse when dealing with adversity. He has done everything that he said he would and I am excited for the future of professional soccer in San Diego under his leadership.”
Cornerkicks
- The NPSL semifinals also pit third-seeded Cleveland FC at second-seeded FC Miami. The semifinal winners will meet in the NPSL national championship game hosted by the higher seeded-team.
- ASC midfielder Christian Enriquez earned selection to the West all-region team.
- ASC’s Korytoski and Enriquez were both named to the Southwest Conference team.
NPSL Founders Cup gets new name, reduced field
The NPSL Founders Cup, the league’s first attempt at fielding a pro division, was set to include 11 teams, including ASC and the Cosmos, but has been rebranded as the NPSL Members Cup with just six teams (not including ASC).
Teams will play 10 games in a single division from August through October. No playoffs are slated. The Cosmos are among the six inaugural teams.
Other founding members include Chattanooga FC, Michigan Stars, Detroit City FC, Milwaukee Torrent and Napa Valley 1839.
The Cosmos kick off the new venture Aug. 10 with a road match in Chattanooga.
