As Chattanooga FC Academy continues to grow, we will spotlight our athletes doing great things on and off the soccer field. This month we introduce you to someone you will hear about in Chattanooga soccer circles for years to come. 

This 13-year-old goal keeper playing for CFCA’s ’02 Premier team is good. Really good.  Standing at 5’7” with a wingspan of 69” Andrew Prescott is all over the net.  He has fast feet and cat-like responsiveness, snagging balls out of thin air.  When on the pitch he owns the box, makes good decisions and communicates as a defensive leader should. 

An articulate and humble young man, he agreed to give chattanoogasoccer.com a glimpse into the mind of a youth goalkeeper. 

CFCA:   When did you first start playing soccer?

Andrew:  “When I around 6 or 7 years old I started playing for Chattanooga United.”

CFCA:  Have you always been a goalie?

Andrew: “Well I started out playing as a holding midfielder, and then I just got put in goal and I played well. I played well the first year so I just stayed there.”

CFCA:  Do you play for your school?

Andrew:  “I go to McCallie and I play goalkeeper there as well.”

CFCA:  What is your favorite professional team?

Andrew:  “Manchester United.”

CFCA:  Who is your favorite player?

Andrew:  “Goalkeepers would be David de Gea  (Manchester United and Spain National Team) or Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich).”

CFCA:  Who is your favorite field player?

Andrew:  “Probably Wayne Rooney.”

What do you like most about playing for CFCA?

Andrew:  “I like how we travel to places.  We get to play in different areas and get to play some good competition.  It helps you progress and not only playing the same teams all the time.  I like how they care about you progressing in the game and how they want you to do well.”

CFCA:  Who is your CFCA coach?

Andrew:  “Matt Yelton. “

CFCA:   What do you like most about how Coach Matt trains you?

Andrew:  “We do a lot of footwork and stuff.  He and my previous coach Brett Maize worked a lot on my foot skills which helped a lot especially when I went to ODP (Tennessee’s Olympic Development Program).  Not a lot of keepers have good footwork and distributing the ball well, so we work a lot on touch and firm passing.  It really helps!”

CFCA:  Tell us about ODP.

Andrew:  “I made the State ODP team this year and last year as a goalkeeper.  Basically, you try out for your State pool and State team and once you make that you can try out for the Region pool and Region team, and then the National pool and National team. “

CFCA:  What does ODP do for you?

Andrew: “So, basically it can help you get to the National team and get coaches (collegiate) to see you.  As you get older it kind of helps you get scouted.  You also get to play with a lot of different players that you don’t get the opportunities to play with from different areas and States.”

CFCA:  Do you do any additional training outside of your Club and school training?

Andrew:  “I do a D1 class in the afternoons.  Just basically working on lifting, agility, sprinting, and building-up strength.  Outside of club training I also do goalkeeper training on Monday and Tuesday nights with Luigi (CFCA goalkeeper coach).  I also do some private goal keeper lesson at D1 with Thomas Hunter (former CFC men's team member).”

CFCA:  What do you think people think about goalies? 

Andrew: “I think they think that it’s not that hard to play. There are a lot of things that go into it like footwork and communication.  People probably think it’s easy.  Basically, it’s not.  It’s not as easy as you think.”

CFCA:  Some people think goal keepers can be eccentric or have little oddities or pre-game rituals i.e., don’t talk to them or engage them before a match.  Do you have any of these or anything that some might consider weird?

Andrew:  “Yeah, I’m okay with it (teammates talking to him).   I just like to be relaxed before a game, just be comfortable and not too nervous.  When you’re nervous you end up thinking about things too much and end up not performing well.”

CFCA:  What has been your favorite moment as a goalie?

Andrew:  “Probably when I was in sixth grade playing for McCallie.    We played against Dalton Middle School.  I didn’t start that game but the other goalkeeper that was playing got a concussion.  So, basically I came in with about 5 minutes left in the half and we were up 1-0.  The second half I came in and made a bunch of good saves and we ended up beating Dalton 3-1, and that was the first time we had ever beaten Dalton.  That was a big game for me.”

CFCA:  What is your worst memory about playing in goal?

Andrew:  “One time, last year, we were playing in the Region Premier League and I had a ball swerve and I went to get it and I took my eyes off of it to turn and play quick. I turned and it basically went through my hands and into the goal. We ended up winning, but it was probably my worst memory because it was the first goal of the game, and it was early. It kind of gets you down, but you just got to forget about it.”

CFCA:  Goalies seem to have most of the pressure in a PK (penalty kick) situation.  How do you feel about PK’s?

Andrew:  “I like them personally. I think it’s fun especially if you make a few saves you feel like the hero of the game. I like them but it’s hard to save them, but if you do it’s a great feeling.”

CFCA:  Tell us about your goals.  Where will you be in 5 years?

Andrew: “For now probably to get a college scholarship to play soccer somewhere."

CFCA:  Where do you see yourself after college?

Andrew:  “Hopefully playing somewhere as a professional.”

CFCA:  Is this your first soccer interview?

Andrew:  “Yes, sir.”

CFCA:  Do you think it will be your last (interview)?

Andrew:   “No!  I think I can do some things and keep progressing, and hopefully make it as a professional.”