Ford drives Mountaineers

Kevan Ford isn’t a typical veteran.

As a senior captain anchoring the West Virginia men’s soccer team’s defense, Ford carries much more than three years of collegiate experience with him. Try adding 10 years of English soccer experience, including stints on the 18-and-under national team and the Blackburn Rovers’ professional youth team.

He’ll bring that experience to Syracuse tomorrow night, when WVU plays SU at Syracuse Soccer Stadium at 7.

‘Kevan is our leader on defense,’ West Virginia head coach Mike Seabolt said. ‘Growing up in England and playing on the youth league teams has given him certain experiences that American players might not have had.’

West Virginia (4-6-1, 1-3-1) has indeed benefited from Ford’s leadership on defense. The Mountaineers have recorded four shutouts and surrendered just 12 goals all season.



‘Our goal is to get a shutout every game,’ Seabolt said. ‘We don’t want to play from behind.’

Meanwhile, the Orangemen (2-6-3, 0-3-2 Big East) will try to rebound from Sunday’s 5-1 loss to Virginia Tech and jump-start their offense, which has scored just 10 goals.

The Syracuse men’s soccer team has refused comment to The Daily Orange.

‘We aren’t going to worry about their individual players,’ Seabolt said. ‘We just need to focus on defending well as a team.’

And at the center of that focus is the man who began playing soccer 13 years ago in Blackpool, England.

‘It was always a dream of mine to play at the national level,’ Ford said. ‘I always watched soccer on TV, and my parents would take me to lots of games.’

Ford’s progression started slowly. After beginning as an aspiring 8-year-old playing on the weekends, Ford starred at his local high school. Eventually, his standout play as a defender for Warbreck High caught the attention of the Blackburn Rovers – a professional team in the English Premier League.

Ford joined the Rovers’ 14-to-16-year-old youth team, hoping to one day receive a promotion to the professional team. But that opportunity never came and Ford was sent packing once he turned 17.

‘After I got cut from Blackburn,’ Ford said, ‘I decided I wanted to get a degree and continue my education.’

Ford still pursued his soccer dreams while attending Lancaster Junior College in England. He participated in local tryouts for England’s 18-and-under national team. After being invited to try out at the regional and national levels, Ford soon found himself being offered a spot on the roster during December of 1999.

Though he received minimal playing time during his six-month tenure, Ford relished the experience.

‘We played a game against Hungary’s 18-and-under team in front of 25,000 people at Wembley Stadium,’ Ford said. ‘It was amazing to play at that stadium because you’re used to seeing the pros play there on TV.’

Of course, Ford would soon be in for a culture shock upon arriving in the United States. He accepted a scholarship to attend West Virginia during the summer of 2000.

‘Blackpool was a very touristy town,’ Ford said. ‘Morgantown is a very small town. It’s very secluded, but I love it.’

It didn’t take long for Ford to adjust. He started 11 games as a freshman.

‘The Big East is a very physical league,’ Seabolt said, ‘The style of play is similar to that in England.’

Now in his senior year, the Blackpool native considers himself a veteran of both systems. He has started nearly 50 games for the Mountaineers. But through it all, he never forgets where his journey started.

‘I’m lucky to have the experiences I’ve had,’ Ford said. ‘And I know I’ve used the talents given to me. I have no regrets.’





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