Junior goalkeeper, Cory Cosgrave is one of several Cougars who have played with the now defunct reserve team or trained with the 2009 MLS Cup Champs.  Here are some of Cory’s thought from that experience, about a month ago.

“I’m really not quite sure, but I think RSL first knew about me from Bryan. He has trained with them for some time and he approached me asking if I would be interested in doing it if he couldn’t make it or something.  Then one morning in May (maybe?) I got a call from Coach Watkins who said the RSL goalkeeper coach contacted him.  He asked me if I wanted to go train with them that morning, which I obviously agreed to.

So I went to Rio Tinto Stadium and signed a bunch of papers and what not. They gave me my training gear.  Met a few of the guys, but mostly just kept to myself in the locker room.  Then 30 minutes before training starts we head down to Xango field, their practice field.  I had a Chemistry test to take so I drove myself down so I could back to school.  Since the first time, the keeper coach has called me a few other times to come.

I was pretty nervous at the start, and still get that way a little, but its getting better.  It takes a few reps in warm-ups and they usually go away.   It’s that little kid feeling. You always dream of being a “professional soccer player” and for me this is probably the closest to it that I will ever get.

Each training, the keepers train for about 40 minutes then we move to playing small-sided games.  It’s been great for me because of the coaching I’m able to get to fix bad habits I’ve fallen into.  It’s great to be around the higher level of soccer.  I still make some “rookie” mistakes because of nerves or inexperience, but when I’m able to settle down, stop thinking so much and just play, then I honestly feel pretty comfortable and confident in playing against them.  It just takes one save to give you that boost.

Training with them gives me confidence because I’m improving and that usually carries over to our training.  At the same time, it keeps me plenty humble because at least once a practice I’ll take a wrist-breaking shot, or a shot to the face or stomach.  They do a good job of picking on the new guy. But it’s all good just to be there.”Tweet

Junior forward, BJ Pugmire drops some of his writing skills on the blog with his weekly look at the different aspects of the BYU soccer program.

Most people who are six-foot-six and can jump have a tendency to play basketball or football. Bryan Black choose to dedicate himself to a different sport entirely: soccer.

Black is currently the starting goalkeeper for the Cougars and has proven essential on a number of different occasions. The most recent occasion coming against the U-21 Mexican national team.  Black made big save after save to keep the Cougars in the game, the first of which came 35 seconds into the match. Many argue that goalkeeper is the most important position on a soccer team, and BYU is fortunate to have Black filling that role.

He started playing at age six because his siblings played.

“It was kind of the family thing to do,” Black said. “I played because my brother and sister played. When I was 13 I realized I loved the sport so I decided to dedicate myself to it.”

At the age of 13 Black started playing goalie as well. With his size and athleticism he has all the qualities necessary to be a top notch keeper.

“I am very confident in Bryan’s abilities,” said Jantzen Romney a sophomore from Sandy. “From the plays he has made in games, in practices I know we can count on him.”

Black said he decided to play keeper because of the excitement that comes with the position.

“You can play the whole game and not see a lot of action but you have to make the play when it counts. There is a lot of pressure involved,” Black said.

Black was recruited to BYU by former assistant coach Brian Jolley who coached him in high school and was also a great goalie for BYU. Black said his experience at BYU as a whole has been wonderful, and he is very grateful to be a Cougar. He is studying communications and hopes to graduate within a year or so.

“Right now I am just enjoying my college experience playing at the Y,” Black said. “But if I had the opportunity I would love to play professionally as well.”

The Cougars are certainly pleased with Blacks progression as a player. Professional coaches have also taken an interest in his abilities. For a number of months throughout the past year, Black has been contacted by coaches at Real Salt Lake to help them in practices and at other times. With the experience Black has gained at BYU and RSL, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see him reach the next level!Tweet