Team CSUSA

Tord Malde Pedersen started his college career at the University of North Florida in 2014. UNF competes in the Atlantic Sun Conference in NCAA D1. Tord played an important role as a goalkeeper in the UNF team that made history in 2015 and 2016 when they became “back-to-back” ASUN Regular Season Champions for the first time in history. In 2015, they also won the ASUN Tournament and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA College Cup for the first time in the program’s history.

At the University of North Florida, Tord completed his bachelor’s degree in Finance with a minor in Economics in 2018. Tord also worked as a tutor alongside his studies in subjects such as algebra, microeconomics, and macroeconomics. He graduated with a Magma Cum Laude and a GPA of 3.7. He was also a part of the “Atlantic Sun Conference Academic Honor Roll” as a student-athlete during all his years at UNF.

After completing his studies at UNF, Tord moved to Nottingham, England, where he pursued a master’s degree in Finance & Investment while playing football for the University of Nottingham. Tord played a major role for the University of Nottingham when they for the first time in school history won the BUCS Championship. Tord was also called up to the England University National Team where he was a part of the national team that won the “Home Nations Tournament” against Wales and Scotland.

After finishing his master’s degree in 2019, Tord worked 2 years for PwC before he became a part of the CSUSA team.  Tord also worked as a goalkeeper coach for Norwegian Premier League team, Viking FK.

Tord’s parent club is Madla IL, where he played most of his youth years before transferring to Viking FK in 2010. Tord was here part of the u-19 team and Viking 2, and he also played 2 exhibition games for the first team.  While still in high school, Tord decided that he want to play soccer and study in the States. After contacting CSUSA, the wheels were set in motion and Tord ended up with a school and scholarship in Jacksonville, Florida.

“To study and play soccer in the US is the best decision I have made in my life. Thanks to CSUSA, I had four unbelievable years at the University of North Florida. To be able to experience the States while you’re a student-athlete is such an awesome and cool experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I would like to call it a real privilege to be granted the opportunity to be a student-athlete in the States.  You become part of an environment that is “unheard” of. You are surrounded by university staff, players, friends, and tutors that all want to help you and see you succeed. You really feel that you are a part of something bigger where everyone has the same end goal. I am extremely grateful for the experience and my time in the US. If I had the chance, I would love to do it all again.”

FAVORITE PLACE IN THE USA:

Jacksonville, Florida

FAVORITE FORMER COLLEGE ATHLETE:

Blake Bortles (University of Central Florida)

FAVORITE MOMENT IN COLLEGE CAREER:

My best memory from my time at UNF must be when we won the Conference Championship for the first time in program history in 2015. We played the final at home and won 7-0 in front of 2 000 crazy fans.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“If you fail to prepare, you’re prepared to fail.” – Mark Spitz