Ycaza Staying Ready to Resume Pro Career After Shining for USF
By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA, MAY 22, 2020 – #BayMade soccer standout
Emilio Ycaza is back where it all started while he remains ready for a return to play in the pros.
After shining the past two seasons for USF, the St. Petersburg native is training up to six days a week at home in an effort to continue making an impact in the future for his current team - Reno 1868 FC of the USL Championship League.
"It's just something that as a professional, and as someone who wants to achieve big things with their career, you always have to do the hard work and know that it will pay off later," Ycaza said.
The status of the USL season is still in wait-and-see mode, but the midfielder has approached each week like it's game time during the COVID-19 pandemic. That type of mindset has helped Ycaza constantly prove himself on the path to USF and beyond.
Two years before his debut season with the Bulls in 2018, the St. Petersburg Catholic High School graduate followed through on a family tradition of studying in Sweden.
"I figured when I was going, I might as well try to play with a team there," he said.
Ycaza learned the language, spent time with family members, and took his game to another level as a member of IF Brommapojkarna's U19 squad in the 2016 season.
"Everyone there lives and breathes that single sport," he said. "The coolest thing was a lot of players on my team were on the national team and there were many players on my team who were bought by big clubs for millions of dollars."
Ycaza also earned college credits that came in handy when he returned to the Bay. He received a bachelor's degree in psychology in his first year at USF. He then started the pursuit of a master's degree in rehabilitation and mental health that he continues to this day online.
Aside from success in school, Ycaza started 27 of 35 games he played in from 2018-19 for the USF men's soccer program he's very fond of.
"The culture and the team bonding is very special," he said. "You're with the same guys for two years almost every day. You see them again in classes and you see them again in the gym. They kind of become your family."
Ycaza got a big kick out of his own family being able to catch home games at Corbett Stadium. He gave loved ones a lot to cheer about this past season, tying for second on the team with four goals and totaling eight of his 17 career points.
On top of playing against tough college competition, Ycaza credits USF's unique spring schedule for getting him ready to prove himself as a pro. Head coach
Bob Butehorn has consistently booked exhibitions against pro teams from the MLS, USL and overseas leagues since joining the program in 2017.
"You get to see where you stand versus them and you get to see where their standard is," Ycaza said. "I think that's something very few college teams get to experience and I was able to do that for two springs with USF. That's what you want if you want to get to the next level."
Ycaza used that experience to his advantage in an intense tryout for Reno 1868 FC. For two weeks this February, Ycaza had to produce at a high level every day while trial players flowed in and out of the roster mix.
"It was kind of like an elimination. After the first five days, they would send whoever they didn't like home," he said. "Ten to 15 guys would leave and then you'd be like, 'All right, I kind of made it.' Then the next day, other new guys from all around the U.S. would show up looking to take your spot."
Sure enough, Ycaza officially signed with the team ahead of the regular season. In the process, he got to showcase his skills during an unforgettable exhibition match against the San Jose Earthquakes, Reno 1868 FC's MLS affiliate.
"That was an incredible experience and I had a really good game there," he said. "It was reassuring to get approving comments from certain MLS coaches and scouts."
Ycaza waited for a chance to make his regular season debut once games started to count, and unfortunately he's still waiting.
Currently, the USL is allowing workouts in limited small-group settings while labor negotiations are ongoing during the pandemic. Since returning to St. Petersburg in March, Ycaza remains ready for the call to return to official club action.
He's following the training schedule dished out virtually by the team's staff and even picks up additional soccer-specific workout tips through Instagram from
Chris Murphy, a USF assistant strength & conditioning coach.
"For one day, you kind of bask in the glory when you sign the contract for finally getting to where I wanted to - the status of being pro," Ycaza said. "But my goals are much bigger than just getting here."
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