Billikens Excited to See One of Their Own in World Cup
Every four years, soccer fans across the globe stop to watch the men’s soccer World Cup. Saint Louis University men’s soccer coach Kevin Kalish is no different.
Kalish (CSB ‘99) has plans to meet up with old SLU teammates and enjoy the role of fan as he watches the United States men’s soccer team.
“I switch off from watching through a coaching lens and purely watch as a fan with the family and friends,” Kalish said. “I put on the USA jersey and wear all red, white and blue. I’ll be just an American fan throughout this tournament.”
In addition to cheering on Team USA, Kalish will also be keeping an eye on former Billiken Tim Ream. Ream, who made history Friday night as the oldest player to represent the United States at a men’s World Cup at age 38, is the captain of the squad and making his second World Cup appearance.
Ream’s journey to soccer’s biggest stage began in St. Louis. Kalish was one of Ream’s coaches growing up, and the two have remained close – Kalish traveled across the pond to see Ream make his English Premier League debut with the Bolton Wanderers in 2012.
Earlier this year, Ream was invited to SLU to speak with current Billikens. Kalish said Ream shared stories about his experience playing soccer at a high level and took time to answer the SLU players' questions. Afterward, the players got a chance to take selfies with the Team USA captain.
“It personalizes it,” Kalish said. “Each student-athlete probably had a takeaway that was different than another person – there are so many storylines that Tim talked about that were just great learning moments for our guys. When he said, ‘Hey, I’ve sat here in the same seat you’ve sat in and worn the same jersey you have,’ it just resonates more.”
Ream is just one of many legends who have donned the blue and white for SLU and gone on to wear the red, white, and blue for the national team. Former Billiken Mike Sorber played in 1994 and was an assistant coach for the USMNT in 2010. Brian McBride played in 1998, 2002 and 2006. Brad Davis (USMNT) and Vedad Ibisevic (Bosnia & Herzegovina) competed in the 2014 World Cup.
“You talk about the tradition and legacy at SLU, it’s obviously something pretty special,” Kalish said. “There’s a legacy of Billikens playing in the World Cup and not many programs can say that.”
While at SLU, Ream was a star player for the Billikens. He played four seasons from 2006-09 and accumulated 24 points (6G, 12A) while appearing in 82 matches. Ream was tabbed the 2009 Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned third-team All-America honors following his senior season. Despite the accolades, he wasn’t considered a shoo-in for a World Cup appearance.
Kalish said having Ream as a role model shows his players what can happen.
“Any time you have the windshield effect where you can show younger players that there is a pathway, there is a player that’s done it before, and it’s a real possibility,” Kalish said.
During his meeting with the current roster, Kalish said Ream told the Billikens that they had to take advantage of their chances.
“He talked a lot with our team about how the door is going to open,” Kalish said.
“That opportunity is going to be there, maybe for a short period of time, but you
have to walk through the door and take it.”
The current Billikens squad is coming off a College Cup appearance in the NCAA Tournament
– the first for SLU since 1997. Kalish said his team has a number of quality players
that, with hard work, could continue the Billiken legacy on the USMNT.
“There are guys on our current roster who could make long careers in this game and potentially play in a World Cup,” Kalish said. “There are guys that have the mentality and the character traits needed to play at that level.”
If any current Billiken does make a future World Cup, Kalish will be there to cheer them on, just like he plans to do for Ream.