Years’ later former U.S. National Team players are still teammates

By Annmarie Toler | Posted 8/17/2017

The U.S. National Football gave three players a chance to create a bond unlike any other.

Chase Abbington, Alec Ablen and Eric Beisel were selected to play for the U.S. National Team in the World Championship the summer before their senior year of high school. Little did they know — this would be the first of many times they would play alongside each other.

Beisel remembers his decision to represent his country in the World Championship. He said, "When I was invited to do that, it was hands down a great opportunity for me, and I wanted to jump on board."

Once the team arrived in Austin, Texas for the 2012 World Championship they became part of a 45-player roster to represent their country.

Abeln and Beisel soon met linebacker Chase Abbington.

Abeln and Abbington had previously committed to the University of Missouri before competing in the World Championship — unlike Beisel, who had yet to make a commitment.  He had also received an offer to play at Missouri.

The Missouri commits saw this as an opportunity to get to know Beisel better and possibly recruit him to continue to play alongside side them at the collegiate level.

Beisel told the Missourian that he ultimately was able to make his decision to commit to Missouri, not because U.S. National teammates Abeln and Abbington influenced him, but because we saw they had a similar mindset and goals. 

This upcoming season for the Missouri Tigers, Beisel (Senior) will look to capture the middle linebacker spot for Missouri, while Ablen (Senior) can contribute to the three interior spots, and will likely battle for a spot at left guard. 

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