Pembroke Pines teen Noah Allen voted USL League One Young Player of the Year
Just a few years back, Noah Allen was a Pembroke Pines kid playing for the U14 pre-academy team at Weston FC. His soccer career took a meteoric rise when he was selected by the Inter Miami youth academy.
Coaches immediately noted his work ethic and skill. He eventually moved up from the U17 team to the club’s Fort Lauderdale USL team, and a few weeks ago was one of three USL players invited to travel with the senior Inter Miami team to the New England Revolution game.
He could hardly believe, as a 17-year-old, that he was on a road trip with Gonzalo Higuain, Rodolfo Pizarro and Blaise Matuidi.
It was a sign of what’s to come next season, as several young players will be invited to train with Inter Miami and integrated into the roster. Allen, a left back who started every game for Fort Lauderdale CF, already did some training with the first team this season.
On Wednesday, Allen’s success was recognized nationally, as he was voted USL League One Young Player of the Year. He said he was honored and “a bit shocked” by the news.
He said being a part of the Inter Miami organization has been a thrill from the moment he arrived at tryouts.
“It was super professional, a different environment, and David Beckham came out and watched one of the tryouts,” Allen said. “I was a bit nervous at the beginning, but he knows what we feel, so it was just cool to see him there.”
Once he was selected, he began to take a more professional approach to the sport, including changing his diet. He is completing Somerset Academy Chapel Trail high school through online classes.
“I’ve definitely gotten more disciplined and taken on professional traits, like showing up 10 minutes before instead of just on time,” he said. “I work every minute because I know I have the rest of the day so if I kill myself for three hours and do everything I possibly can to get better, so I will have more opportunities.”
Allen got his driver’s license last month, so he can finally drive himself to work rather than having to bum rides from teammates.
Traveling to Boston with the first team was memorable.
“It was an amazing experience, just to be with everyone in that environment,” Allen said. “Everyone’s on time. The little things like dress code to having to sing with them. The atmosphere was different because everyone was focusing on the game from the minute we got on the plane.”
Allen played baseball and basketball in elementary school but fell in love with soccer when he started playing at West Pines United youth club. He then moved on to Weston FC before joining Inter Miami’s U15 team.
This season, he led Fort Lauderdale CF with 2,430 minutes, ranked second with 35 interceptions and won 34 of 44 tackles — a 77.3 percent success rate.
“He comes to work every day prepared to get better,” coach Darren Powell said. “He has great character on and off the field. He is ready for the next progression.”
He said Kieran Gibbs and Brek Shea have been good role models. Gaining strength is one of Allen’s goals heading into 2022.
“I have to get better defensively and get stronger; I already have played with and against grown men, but these guys are smarter and quicker and to get an extra step on them is hard work,” he said.