Soccer is widely suggested to be the world’s favorite sport.

With athleticism, strategy and team work, most countries embrace the competition of the sport. Similarly, NIU men’s soccer head coach Steve Simmons understands the talent that exists world-wide.

Though he typically tries to recruit athletes from around the area, Simmons does look internationally for players who can compete at the college level.

“When we look at an international kid, we’re saying, ‘Are you able to offer something that we cannot find right now with the American kids?” Simmons said. “They have to bring something to the table. If we are going to put the investment in, they can’t be an average player, they have to be exceptional.”

According to Simmons, in-country recruiting has become more difficult with the increased level of competition in the Midwest. Coaches and recruiters are getting better, leaving the American pool of top-notch players nearly dry.

So when Simmons was unable to find the players he wanted to build his team, he used past connections to recruit Norwegian players Engebreth Faerden and Finn Jor, and London native Franny Otira.

“Since soccer is such a global sport, we have an advantage that our pool of talent goes beyond our borders,” Simmons said. “We need to get talent that will win us matches at the Top 20 level and if we can’t find that talent close to home, we have to find it elsewhere.”

After choosing which players are right for his team, Simmons then has to start the process of moving the recruits to the U.S.

Depending on the country, the process can be extremely tough and time consuming, Simmons said.

Each recruit must take an SAT or ACT to get into the American college system.

Once in the U.S, international players must learn the ropes of American college soccer. The game may seem similar, but according to Simmons, America’s version of soccer is mentally and physically different from soccer overseas.

The U.S. condenses about eight months of European soccer into three months at the college level. New players are thrust into a busy schedule that can be very demanding.

But as far as learning goes, Simmons said experience is vital. Players must learn through playing.

“American college soccer is almost a different sport compared to soccer overseas,” Simmons said. “It’s unheard of in Europe that you would play games on Friday or Sunday.”

Multiple substitutions throughout a match are also rare in overseas soccer competition.

While Simmons must manage a full roster and keep fresh legs on the field, European soccer is played with little to no substitution.

“Once you’re off the field you can’t come back on,” Simmons said of overseas soccer. “In the U.S. I have subs going in and out, trying to match the energy levels. In Europe if you are subbed off or aren’t starting, that’s kind of seen as ‘Well I’m not doing well,’ and that’s not always the case.”

Despite the obstacles of recruiting international players, Simmons said he thinks his out-of-country players have helped the team to compete at the collegiate level.

Jor already has one goal on the season. Faerden has three collegiate assists, and Otira is back from an injury earlier in the season.

And though international recruiting has been beneficial to NIU on the field, it has also helped the team off the field.

“Our society [in] this day and age is so global that the kids here have so much more in common with kids across the globe that it’s unbelievable,” Simmons said. “The guys we have here really extend themselves with open arms to make sure the new players, all new players, feel at home.”