Jacob Coggins

SL Interview: Jacob Coggins

Forward, Charlotte Eagles USL 2nd Division

February 10, 2005

Maybe you haven't heard his name until his recent call-up to the U.S. Men's National Team, but Jacob Coggins has been scoring goals for the Second Division's Charlotte Eagles for six seasons. Jacob went straight from high school to the professional ranks and then the National Team. We decided to ask Jacob a few questions about his recent adventure with the Nats and his "soccer story". Check it out:

SoccerLoop: Jacob, congratulations on your recent call-up to the US Men's National Team! Tell us what the experience was like for you.

Jacob Coggins: It was an experience of a lifetime. I've grown up dreaming about playing on the National Team. So when I heard that I got the call to go to training camp, I was ecstatic. I understand that it was as a replacement to the regulars, but either way, it was the national team.

SL: How tough was it to hear that camp was ending and an agreement had been reached between the players and U.S. Soccer?

JC: It was definitely not the best news I had heard that day. I thought we had a pretty good chance to play and to win in Trinidad. I was just starting to get fit again. I thought we were going to be there for at least 3 weeks. We knew it could happen at any time, but I wasn't expecting it that soon.

SL: How has your experience been playing for the Charlotte Eagles?

JC: Playing for the Charlotte Eagles has changed my life. I have been here for six years, so I have been around for a while. It is such a great atmosphere, not only for soccer, but in life in general. We have a great unity on the team. We don't play just for soccer and wins; we play to glorify the lord in all we do. Winning is just a bonus.

SL: I understand you didn't play any college soccer. Is that correct?

JC: Yes, that's right. I went straight out of high school.

SL: What was reasoning for that?

JC: I wasn't the best student in high school. So not a lot of colleges were interested in me. I was actually supposed to go to a small school in Virginia, but that didn't work out. So I was in Charlotte working and going to community college for about three weeks. My buddy and I went to an open tryout in Wilmington for the Hammerheads. We ended up getting offered a contract that day. So my options were either; go back to Charlotte, work and go to community college, or live at the beach and play pro soccer. Needless to say, I chose the soccer. And it took my college eligibility away.

SL: You had a tremendous season in 2004 scoring 20 goals and assisting on 10. You and Dustin Swinehart became the deadliest scoring tandem in the League. To what do you owe your success last season?

JC: I owe one hundred percent of the success to the Lord. Without him, I am worthless. It is also great playing with a bunch of guys who have the same goal in common. I think "YT" (Dustin Swinehart) and I play really well together. We've been playing for six years now and we understand what each other are going to do on the field. Coach and the staff put together a great team and we had fun playing this year.

SL: The Eagles had a great run losing in the finals to the Utah Blitzz. What are the team's chances of winning it all this season?

JC: I think the chances are even better this year. We are a more experienced team and we have a lot of the same players coming back, with some new faces that I think will fit in our system well.

SL: Why do you think Bruce Arena called you up?

JC: That's a good question. There are a lot of great forwards out there in the USL, but I had a good season at just the right time, I guess. I scored a lot of goals and had a great year. I think "YT" and I came together because we play so well together. But honestly, to answer your question, I'm not real sure. But I'm glad he did.

SL: Have there been any opportunities for you to join an MLS team? Is it something you are interested in doing?

JC: I haven't had any opportunities to train with any teams. I would definitely love to. I hope playing with the National Team replacements didn't affect the chance to go to the MLS. I'm sure there are some people out there that weren't happy with the guys who went to the training camp, but I would love the opportunity.

SL: What can we expect to see from Jacob Coggins over the next two years?

JC: I just turned 26, so I don't think I've hit my prime yet. I think I am getting better every year. The few years I believe I am going to have the best years of my career. So you can expect to hear my name a lot.

SL: Good luck, Jacob.

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