Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das '23 Recruiting Profile
Video
vs MD United 3/20...2019 HighlightsPersonal Statement
Currently a sophomore with a 3.52 GPA (6.15 based on my school's International Baccalaureate (IB)7-point system). I want to continue a high standard of education and stay with my school's focus on building global leaders, learners, and citizens with a mindset of giving back. My school and my soccer passion suit me as I am a child of this world: globally infused in culture as an American with Indian, British and Persian heritage. Soccer is a global sport and I love it. I would like to play pro or at a highly competitive level. I have been told I am a very patient and giving person. I mentor younger players and find enjoyment in sharing my love with the younger generations.
I started my passion for soccer at the age of 4 by sneaking on my twin sisters' Coed U8 team! Since 10 years old I have travelled abroad to Europe each year to elevate my soccer IQ. I have been to Portugal, Belgium, Holland, and Denmark. I have played against European academies like PSV, Club Brugge, and Ajax. My idol like so many kids is Lionel Messi and his team (Barca). The link - Johan Cruyff was from Ajax, brought Ajax "rondo" style to FC Barcelona, even had his kids attend my school! And competing against Ajax at U11 awoke my awareness to how beautiful this game can be when played at a high level of game awareness and quality of play. I've taken from that experience the drive to make myself a student of the game, learn from everyone (even coaches I did not understand) and be a better player because they play at such a higher level than we play here in the US. All this has made me a smarter player, a more patient player, and a team player.
One of my strengths is my versatility. I have played from U14-U17 Left Back, Center back, Defensive Mid, Attacking Mid, Left and Right Winger. I am a team player, and can step up and be an asset to my team and be willing to do what is needed. 2020-2021 Season, I earned the Co-Captain role for my team. I played the #6 and #8 most of the shortened COVID season, but was asked to draw on my past defensive role and play Left Center back in the 2020 U17 Virginia State Cup final to fill in for our teams injured starting Left Back!
2021 Summer, I was honored to play as a rising U18 on the U19/U20 Team and won the Eastern Regional USYS Championship!
2021-2022 Season, I am now Team Captain for Arlington Soccer and as well a for my High School Team.
Athletics
High School Information
- Years w/ Varsity
- 2 years
- Varsity Starter
- 2 years
- 2022 Varsity Team
- Starter- Jersey: #10
Individual Awards
- Captain
Team Awards
- Conference Champs
- 2021 Varsity Team
- Starter- Jersey: #17
Team Awards
- Man of Match 11/1/2021 , Conference Champs
Club Information
- Seasons of Club Experience
- 5 seasons
- 2022 Arlington Soccer Association (Academy)
- Arlington Academy U18/U19
- 2021 Arlington Soccer Association (Academy U19)
- Currently in VYSA Regionals Hammington NJ. U20 Group A
- 2020 Arlington Soccer Association (Academy U17 2004 Boys DA )
- Play various positions in order of frequency #6, #8, #10, optionally as needed #4 or #5. team Co-Captain, Starter - typically playing 60 to 75 minutes per match. Finalist in Virginia State Cup U17 Boys. Tied Final 4 v 4 to loose in Penalties.
- 2019 Arlington Soccer Association (2004 US Development Academy Boys )
- EDP Boys U16 Atlantic Development League #2 Seed overall, Ranked #1 South Atlantic Averaged 2.23 goals per game. Finalist 2019 Virginia State Cup. Positions played for Coach Matt Badiee #6, #8, #10.
- 2018 Arlington Soccer Association Academy (VA) (US Development Academy )
- 2016-2017 Season. Played Left & Right Back and some Holding Mid (6). 2017-20118 Season Played 2, 5, 6 mostly. Then 2018-2019 Season. Played mostly 6 (def Mid) , as well as 2 and 5 (Left & Right Back), occasionally 7 & 11 (winger). My current coach - Oscar Feliu - style of coaching is much like my past 5 years. His background is from Barcelona Spain and coaches in the Spanish Soccer Federation style layered under the US Soccer methodology for the US DEV Academy.
Coach References
- Club Coach
- Eduardo Souza
- Club Coach
- Matt Badiee
- Club Coach
- Oscar Feliu
Events
- Camp/Event
- VIRGINA STATE CUP 2021 Championship
- 11/07/21 to 11/07/21
- Arlington Soccer U18 Boys win 2-1 over Mclean (VA United) U18. I was the Man of the Match. Scored tying goal in the 64th minute.
- Camp/Event
- USYS Eastern Regional Championships
- 6/25/21 to 7/01/21
- Serious competition and great experience. As U17, I was called to play U19 roster. Arlington Soccer won the Tournament in finals vs the Bethesda U19 (W 2-1). I was challenged against squads that brought back seasoned and college trained D1 level Freshman. Bethesda played 7 players from schools like Georgetown, Boston College, UMD Baltimore, Loyola, etc.
- Camp/Event
- 2020 Georgetown Soccer Blue Winter ID Clinic Information
- 2/01/20 to 2/02/20
- Directed by Georgetown Head Coach Brian Wiese. Got to work closely with Georgetown 1st team players. Learned from Georgetown and regional coaches how they look at student athlete prospects for their clubs. Great connections and new friends!
- Camp/Event
- Registration: Duke Men's Soccer Winter ID Camp - RESIDENTIAL
- 1/18/19 to 1/20/19
- Conducted by John Kerr, Duke Head Men's Soccer Coach. High quality coaching. Invaluable education into college soccer as this was my first college ID Camp. Got to train right along with and learn from the Duke 1st team players. Opened eyes to quality D1 schools look for. As a 9th grade HS Freshman, I had to take my game to a higher level to play on the Junior/Senior tryout squad. I feel that the coaches saw that in me this weekend. I truly enjoyed the challenge!
Training
- DCA Athletics
- 6 years
- Off season training and playing Futsal and skills development since 7 yrs old. Currently on 2003-U16 team that has won (Jan 12 2019) Atlantic Regional Futsal Title (in Philadephia): https://www.usyouthfutsal.com/2019pachamps. And as 2003 Team (U16) Placed 2nd in the Mid-Atlantic Regional (in Richmond Jan 18 2019) https://www.usyouthfutsal.com/2019vachamps. DC Athletics provides supplemental training to elite players. Over the years I have worked with various coaches that help me develop technical, field awareness, grit, mental skills to play at high levels,
- Joga Academy
- 4 years
- Joga Academy - U10 to U15. Full time training U10-U11 before joining US Dev Academy. Developed Possession based game skills. Coach Kephren Fuller provided training techniques in foot skills, game awareness, and creativity on and off the ball. His history - he learned from an AIX (Netherlands) approach and instilled in me and my team mates a Rondo method of ball/game management. As a team we controlled possession 70-80% of our youth matches. I developed "strong play out of the back" style. And because I played U11 (9v9) and U13 (11v11) all in one season as a 10 and 11 year old I was given the opportunity to gain valuable physical stamina, game awareness, and speed of play. Many times as a 5' 80 lb kid I was playing in a singe weekend in games against 6' 135 lb players who definitely outrun me. I defended strategically. I passed and moved the ball with purpose to control possession.
- Izzy Training
- 2 years
- Specialized Training With Coach Omar Ismail. Coach Omar brings PRO experience to his coaching. He played Professionally in Australia, currently plays for NVSC in the EPL2 league (novafc.org) and is an Academy Coach at Arlington. He works players U12-U23 focusing on individual technique, speed training with fitness, and specialized "in the moment" training. https://www.izzyfootballtraining.com
- CAPSTONE FITNESS
- 2 years
- Speed and Agility, Explosive performance training with ASA Academy approved - Tory Biero.
Statistics
Academics
Grades
Test Scores
High School Information
Academic Accomplishments
Are you in honor classes?
NoAre you in AP/IB classes?
Yes.Registered with the NCAA Eligibility Center?
NoAwards and Activities
- AwardsFreshman 1st and 2nd Semester First Honors Sophomore 1st and 2nd Semester First Honors Junior 1st Semester First Honors , 2nd Senester 2nd Honors.
- ActivitiesSING, PIANO, GO KART RACING, LIKE LANGUAGES - speak English, Spanish & Chinese
Top NCSA Athletes at Washington International School
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