Andy MengTim Walsh loves soccer. He has dreamed of playing professionally since he was a little kid. After years of practice and hard work, he became a star in high school. His senior season was his best, as he set multiple school records. Now Walsh is stuck on the bench of the University of Tampa men’s soccer team – and he could not be happier.
“It’s definitely a switch in roles, but it’s nice to prove yourself again,” said the six-foot-one, 180-pound defender, “I understand that the guys before me went through a lot, so first I have to go through a lot of things too.”
In Walsh’s senior year at Neuqua Valley High School, he was team captain. He earned All-City, All-Conference, All-Tournament and All-Sectional honors. He also earned an All-State honorable mention. He led his team all the way to the Sectional Finals. The senior defender led his team in goals and assists, and even set a school record with 16 goals.
“It was nice being team captain. I liked being a leader,” said Walsh. “I was outspoken. It was nice to have control over what your team is doing.”
The Naperville, Ill. native was such a good player that he even got invited to play for a Brazilian national team. He played with the team for the entire summer of 2005.
“That was one of the best experiences. I learned more on and off the field than I ever could have imagined,” said Walsh. He lived with the players and even picked up some of the Portuguese language.
Walsh started out playing against players his own age but later played with professionals of all ages. “I did well,” he added. He performed so well that the team offered him a contract at the end of the season
The young American, however, declined the offer. Walsh said, “Realistically, it would have been hard to live [in Brazil]. I discussed it with my parents, and they said it wasn’t safe to not finish high school.”
When Walsh thought about where to go to college, the University of Tampa was his clear-cut choice. “I felt it was a team I could be comfortable with,” he said, “I got a great feeling about the team when I talked to the head coach, Adrian Bush.
“I visited the school and I just loved the atmosphere. I don’t feel there is much difference [in the level of competition] between [NCAA] Division I and Division II. [Tampa] is just as competitive – if not more – as any Division I school.”
The freshman feels that he has a good start. “I look up to the older guys. Players like Keeron Benito, Devin Shaw and Ryan Thompson,” Walsh said.
“They’re not only amazing players, but they are great leaders. They’re good people off the field. They are consistent when it comes to hard work and showing up,” he added.
Currently on the bench, Walsh hopes to be the leader of the Spartans one day. He even hopes that the team will win a National Championship. He knows that it will take dedication, but he seems ready for it. “He’s probably the hardest worker on the team,” said teammate Keeron Benito.
Walsh wants to be successful on and off the field. He hopes to be playing soccer all his life, whether it is professionally or not. “I want to be good at whatever I decide to do,” said Walsh. If he keeps up his attitude, chances are that may just happen.