London lad Greg Miley makes the Kitsap Pumas

Greg Miley comes to the Kitsap Pumas in 2010 after a college career with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). Greg began his soccer life where football itself began. Now he's trying to stick in the States.

Greg Miley was one of the very first players to show up at Kitsap Pumas invitational tryouts a few weeks back. "My college coach at UCCS suggested I contact the Pumas about a tryout as I was looking to play pro," says Miley of his road to West Sound. "I then contacted the Pumas about coming to tryout and spoke with assistant coach James Ritchie who was a great help. I came over for the first round of invitational tryouts which went well. I then made it back for the second round the following week and that also went well, and now here I am!" The excitement in his voice is genuine.

Miley checks in at invitational tryouts at Silverdale Stadium. He made enough of an impression to become a Puma in 2010. (David Falk)

Miley is in Kitsap via Colorado Springs...via London. "Growing up playing football in England is almost a natural process, like second nature," he recalls. "I was playing as soon as I could get up and walk around, and my first present when I was born was actually a mini soccer ball!"

I ask Greg to compare American soccer youth with England's. "Back home especially in young kids the difference is definitely passion. In England you don't have to persuade a child to go to soccer practice, they are begging their parents to take them and get them there on time."  Just like here, parents play a role in how interested players stay interested in the sport. "My dad was and has always been my major influence, he got me started playing, and helped me get from team to team and grow from strength to strength in my game. I would always ask my dad to take me and my brothers to the park to play after school, and we would play until it was too dark to see the ball, and that's how dedicated we were. My mum and grandma also were key in my soccer progression through their constant support of my playing."

Of course I have to ask Greg which clubs he supports back home. "I support Manchester United, and I honestly have no idea why! I was so young when I decided to support them but my love of the team has grown greatly as I have gotten older. I also support Queens Park Rangers who play in the league below the Premiership. I lived right next to the stadium when I was young and I actually played for their pro youth academy. My father also supports QPR and took me to my first game to see them play."

Greg Miley reacts to redirect a header in a recent pre-season match against Gonzaga. (Jenni Conner)

What will Greg, at 5-10 and 145 pounds bring to the Pumas in 2010? "I am a winger or "outside mid", usually on the right, like my countryman David Beckham. I am pretty quick and skillfull so I like to take players on and dribble into danergous positions. I also like to attack seeing as my shooting and crossing is good, so I definitely like to play a major role in the team's offense!"

Enough of all that. What does a British dude eat when he's in Kitsap? "My favorite food is probably Indian curry, which we have a lot of in England! My favorite places to eat here are the Mongolian restaurants where you choose your meat and veggies and they cook it up for you! I'm also a big fan of Quiznos subs! Delicious!!"

Back to soccer, and I ask Greg about his initial impressions of the Pumas club. "From what I have seen I definitely think the Pumas could compete in the English third division. It would be a massive challenge but I feel with the team we have now we could compete with some great teams.

"The Pumas practices are very well run, they are in fact very similar to ones that I did back home with my pro academy. We practice hard and we work on all aspects of the game, and we improve every session, so yeah, they are great."

Miley is coaxed to think beyond 2010, but he wants to stay in the presnt. "At the moment I am thinking about the here and now. My goal is to play my best for this team and help take the Pumas as far as we can possibly go. Obviously my ultimate goal is to play at the highest level I can wherever that may be, but as of right now I am fully invested in this team and want to give it all for Pumas!"

Miley holds up his Pumas kit after signing with the club. (Kitsap Pumas photo)