On Eastside Club Night, Husky Eastside Alum Look Back
September 20, 2017 | Men's Soccer
SEATTLE - The Huskies and Eastside FC have had a number of players come through both programs over the years. Right now, Washington features six Eastside alums in Lucas Meek, Freddy Kleeman, Stirling Russell, Garret Jackson, Saif Kerawala, and Beau Blanchard. The Huskies will celebrate youth soccer in the area with Eastside FC Club Night coming up Thursday against Utah Valley, where all kids 8th grade and under get in for free by wearing their club gear.
Kleeman, Meek, and Russell all played for Eastside together in their youth careers before coming to UW. During their time with Eastside, that trio of Huskies won the Surf Cup and made the state finals three times, as well as winning the Rainier Challenge and twice winning the Crossfire Challenge. Before the game, Kleeman, Meek, and former Eastside coach Dan Strom looked back on their time with Eastside and how they've grown in soccer.
What did you learn while at Eastside and how have you grown as players?
Strom: All of them are more composed and calm on the ball and make good decisions in possession and distributing the ball. Each has grown a ton in their ability to defend individually and as part of the team.
Kleeman: Eastside FC and Coach Strom built my foundation as a soccer player and without it I would not be the player I am today. Coach Strom developed me into a well-rounded player and without Eastside, my soccer career would have been completely different than it is now. I cannot be more thankful for all the support Eastside FC and Coach Strom gave me throughout the years.
Meek: I will never forget one of the first practices of the year we were trying to get back in shape and we had to run around the fields. He could see us cutting corners on the field, and as soon as we got back to him he called us all out for it and explained if you cut corners in soccer or in life you will never achieve your goals.
What were the future Huskies like as players at Eastside?
Meek: I loved playing with Freddy because he moved in two streets away from me in the first grade, so we would constantly be playing together at recess. I loved playing with Stirling too. After I grew accustomed to his character and style of play I look forward to every time I get to step on the field with him. We always had an amazing connection and chemistry on and off the field. Whether is was a sleepover at my house or linking passes up the field, we all love each other.
Strom: Lucas was technically gifted and very creative on the ball. He was a consummate team player and lifted everyone up. Stirling had great speed and athleticism and a drive to win. He was very thoughtful and was always looking out for how he might help others. Freddy had a great work rate and was really focused and led by example.
Kleeman: [Freddy and Lucas] are two of my best friends. When we all still played for Eastside FC we always loved competing against each other in practice and competing together against other teams in games. Lucas could always find a way to slip a defender or thread a pass when nobody thought he could. Stirling always gave his heart and soul to the team.
What advice did Coach Strom give you/what advice would you give to players wanting to play in college?
Strom: There is no substitute for meaningful time working with the ball individually and in the team context. The better the players you train with, the more they will challenge you to overcome barriers. If you are too comfortable you might be limiting your growth potential.
Kleeman: Coach Strom once said to me that a lot of things can go wrong in soccer. One thing you can always control as a player is your effort and work rate. When everything else fails your work rate should always keep you in the game and revive everything around you.
Meek: I love and loved Coach Strom's pure and raw passion for the sport, the game and his players. He gave some tough love every once in a while but that is how I knew he cared.
Kleeman, Meek, and Russell all played for Eastside together in their youth careers before coming to UW. During their time with Eastside, that trio of Huskies won the Surf Cup and made the state finals three times, as well as winning the Rainier Challenge and twice winning the Crossfire Challenge. Before the game, Kleeman, Meek, and former Eastside coach Dan Strom looked back on their time with Eastside and how they've grown in soccer.
What did you learn while at Eastside and how have you grown as players?
Strom: All of them are more composed and calm on the ball and make good decisions in possession and distributing the ball. Each has grown a ton in their ability to defend individually and as part of the team.
Kleeman: Eastside FC and Coach Strom built my foundation as a soccer player and without it I would not be the player I am today. Coach Strom developed me into a well-rounded player and without Eastside, my soccer career would have been completely different than it is now. I cannot be more thankful for all the support Eastside FC and Coach Strom gave me throughout the years.
Meek: I will never forget one of the first practices of the year we were trying to get back in shape and we had to run around the fields. He could see us cutting corners on the field, and as soon as we got back to him he called us all out for it and explained if you cut corners in soccer or in life you will never achieve your goals.
What were the future Huskies like as players at Eastside?
Meek: I loved playing with Freddy because he moved in two streets away from me in the first grade, so we would constantly be playing together at recess. I loved playing with Stirling too. After I grew accustomed to his character and style of play I look forward to every time I get to step on the field with him. We always had an amazing connection and chemistry on and off the field. Whether is was a sleepover at my house or linking passes up the field, we all love each other.
Strom: Lucas was technically gifted and very creative on the ball. He was a consummate team player and lifted everyone up. Stirling had great speed and athleticism and a drive to win. He was very thoughtful and was always looking out for how he might help others. Freddy had a great work rate and was really focused and led by example.
Kleeman: [Freddy and Lucas] are two of my best friends. When we all still played for Eastside FC we always loved competing against each other in practice and competing together against other teams in games. Lucas could always find a way to slip a defender or thread a pass when nobody thought he could. Stirling always gave his heart and soul to the team.
What advice did Coach Strom give you/what advice would you give to players wanting to play in college?
Strom: There is no substitute for meaningful time working with the ball individually and in the team context. The better the players you train with, the more they will challenge you to overcome barriers. If you are too comfortable you might be limiting your growth potential.
Kleeman: Coach Strom once said to me that a lot of things can go wrong in soccer. One thing you can always control as a player is your effort and work rate. When everything else fails your work rate should always keep you in the game and revive everything around you.
Meek: I love and loved Coach Strom's pure and raw passion for the sport, the game and his players. He gave some tough love every once in a while but that is how I knew he cared.
Players Mentioned
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