Player Feature: Aidan Crawford

Aidan Crawford poses for his Player Feature. Credit: Tom Arnison, Crystal Hunter and Tyler Navas

Men’s First Team goalkeeper Aidan Crawford has been a commanding presence between the posts in his three years at Edgewater Castle FC, making immaculate saves as both a student at Loyola University Chicago and as a semi-professional footballer. In this part of the Player Feature series, Crawford discusses his upbringing, his aspirations to get into medicine, and his music routine.

What’s your earliest memory of playing soccer, and when did you realize you wanted to play it in your adult life?

“I played AYSO soccer and one of my earliest memories is my brother giving me the advice that when all the players are clumped together kicking the ball in a big group that I should just wait on the outside and wait for the ball to bounce out of the big group and score. I think that strategy carried me through the youth game. I got to travel [for] soccer and I kind of just stuck with the game. It wasn’t like I realized that I wanted to play as an adult, it just like always and continues to bring me joy. And seeing a lot of the teammates on Edgewater, who are out of college and playing part time while they’re working is pretty inspiring because it goes to show how the game will stick with you past when you’ve finished up school. I respect that and I strive to one day be as athletic as they are at their age, and continue to play soccer past when I’m off a college team.” 

What was the biggest challenge you faced on your journey to becoming a semi-professional soccer player?

“Continual development. Not getting complacent. I’ve been in a number of different environments and have progressed in each of them. Like, in high school, especially in the goalkeeper position, when there’s only one goalkeeper that starts, you have to first develop under other goalkeepers and then win the starting spot. But even when you win the starting spot for your team, you need to continue to develop, especially if you want to get to the next level. That was kind of a challenge for me that I think is still important for me now that I’m in college and going into my senior year, starting for the past three years. I want to continue to develop, even though I’ve won that starting position, and that’s always a challenge.” 

Who has been the most influential coach or mentor in your career?

“I would say my high school coach and the whole coaching staff, and then my high school [New Trier High School in Wilmette, IL] in general, because I feel like they put a lot of trust in me and instilled me with confidence, even when I didn’t have it. They were the ones that encouraged me to pursue playing soccer in college, and that had never been a big goal for me and they kind of guided me into both the development of my skills and the confidence that’s required from a high level soccer player and goalkeepers in general. I would say the whole coaching staff, particularly my head coach Matt Ravenscraft, really helped me to take my game to the next level.” 

Is there a moment in your career you’re most proud of?

“One thing that I feel like I’m pretty proud of is the fact that our high school program ended up winning the state championship after I left. This was two years after I graduated high school. After they won the state championship, I got texts from the current captains just thanking me for the way that I taught them how to lead. Even though I wasn’t directly on the team that won the championship, they made me feel that I played a part in helping them develop to be able to lead the team to a state championship. I think that’s one thing I’m really proud of, is the legacy that I was able to leave with that.” 

What does your typical day look like during the season vs. during the offseason?

“My goal is to matriculate on to medical school, and I’m about two years out from the application process, but right now I’m preparing for the MCAT exam. So my day will be about eight hours of studying for that. I mean, that’s basically it. I work at an orthopedic office on the weekends. So when we’re not playing games on the weekends, I’ll be working there. I’m also working a high school camp for the high school I went to, so like a soccer camp for that program.” 

“I mean, I’m kind of playing soccer year round. Our college season is in the fall, and then in the winter and spring we still train, but that’s only six days a week. I guess I’m more focused on school during the offseason.” 

 How do you handle pressure or nerves before big games?

“I love that aspect of soccer and goalkeeper specifically. One of the reasons I got into goalkeeping is the amount of pressure and trust a team puts in you to be the last line of defense. Games where I know I’m going to be tested by the other team, those are the games I look the most forward to because I know I’ll be active and I know I’ll play a larger role in helping the team succeed. I look forward to that pressure. Other moments, like penalty kick shootouts, I absolutely love the pressure that’s put on the goalkeeper during a penalty kick shootout, because I feel that I have everything to gain and nothing to lose.” 

If you weren’t playing soccer semi-professionally, what do you think you’d be doing instead?

“I want to go into medicine. I want to go to medical school, so focus on academics and my pre-professional career as I look to become a doctor, but I definitely still play a sport. Growing up, I’ve always loved sports.”

Why did you join ECFC?  

“When I first joined the team, they reached out to me. Being at Loyola Chicago, I’m close to Edgewater, so it was convenient for me to join the team over the summer and stay sharp for my college season. I’ve continued on with the team because it feels like a community with all the guys that return each summer and the coaching staff and everyone behind the scenes that helps make the program and continue to grow from year to year. It’s pretty fun to be a part of. I guess it started as convenience and has continued as a love for the program.”

What has been your favorite memory with the team?

“The road trip we took up to Green Bay last season really stands out to me because it was a long trip for the team. We got there and we went down 3-0 in the first half, and then we really rallied at halftime and didn’t give up. A lot of our fans had traveled up to Green Bay to watch us, and we had a lot of people watching on the livestream, and I think that motivated us to get back in the game. When we ended up winning 4-3, I felt really proud of my performance in the second half, and the way we were able to keep a shutout in the second half while still putting pressure on them offensively. I think that was something that I really enjoyed and cherished as a memory, and just the feeling after the game and the bus ride home of accomplishment is something that I really cherish.” 

What is your favorite pregame song?

“It’s interesting. I usually have a routine of more relaxing songs, songs that I really enjoy, but aren’t necessarily pregame songs, up until about an hour, hour and a half before the game, I’ll start to listen to more pregame songs. A lot of house music comes to mind. It’s not one specific song necessarily, but I like to visualize, and music helps with that process.”

Who’s your favorite soccer player?

“Currently it’s Yann Sommer. His athleticism for his age is incredible, and the way that he plays goalkeeper is something that I strive to replicate, just through both his technical ability and also his athleticism and ability to make acrobatic saves that keeps his team in the game. It shows his value, especially the recent success that Inter Milan has had. It goes to show how important the goalkeeper is.”

What’s your favorite pregame meal?

“My routine is generally eating a carb heavy meal about three hours before the game. It’s usually composed of rice and some sort of lean meat. But I’m a big fan of eating fruit between then and the game, because it’s both hydrating and has lots of carbs. I’ll eat lots of bananas, apples and berries an hour or two before the game.” 

What advice would you give to young players who want to continue playing soccer in their adult life?

“Just to continuously look to improve from where you are and know that you have to reach a new level at each stage you get at. I would encourage them to never be complacent and keep looking to improve each and every practice.”