Future soccer stars grace East County scene

After spending April 6 outside at Lakewood Ranch Park, my neck is burnt worse than the frozen pizza I tried to make afterward.

The sunburn set in as I watched the red-hot soccer skills on display. I was attending the 2019 Bradenton Cup, a U8-U18 youth tournament hosted by Braden River Soccer Club that featured 25 clubs from around the state. While the event had delectable ice cream, games for kids and some adult treats, too — including avocado toast for all the millennials like myself — my biggest takeaway was the great shape of our local soccer scene.

Take Esteban Vega, 9, who plays for Braden River’s U11 Green team. He might be younger than the other players on his team (and opposing teams), but he possesses a powerful shot. Vega scored in the opening minutes of his team’s game against Sarasota FC after driving the left side of the box, hesitating on purpose, then continuing, leaving a defender behind him. A left-footed boot then found the back of the net.

“You are going to see him on the U.S. (Men’s) National Team,” said Vega’s coach, Luis Florez, with a smile. “Greatest left (shot) in Manatee County, for sure.”

Vega said his favorite part of tournaments like the Bradenton Cup is going against older players and proving he can hang, even when the competition is fierce. Vega’s team lost to Sarasota FC 3-1, but beat Celtic FC 3-0. 

Also having a blast at the Bradenton Cup was Lakewood Ranch FC’s Christopher Schrum, 11, who plays for the organization’s Cranes U12 team. Schrum moved to Lakewood Ranch two years from Easton, Pa., and grew up a field player before switching to goaltender last season. It was not a hard transition, Schrum said.

The worst part?

“The training is a whole lot different,” he said. “You have to work on your reaction times more. And there is a lot more pain (from getting hit with balls and diving).”

I played goalie for a few games in my brief youth soccer career, and let me tell you, Schrum is absolutely right. It is a hard, thankless position at that age, but Schrum is making the most of it. He helped his team to 1-1 record, including a 3-2 win over the Lakewood Ranch Chargers. Schrum made plenty of diving saves. It was a tenacious effort.

Joining an area team means your kids will have as much fun as Vega and Schrum, and everyone else at the tournament. I’d recommend it. Tournaments like these happen often, and there is no better way to spend a Saturday playing a few soccer games, before ending with a scoop of chocolate ice cream.

If you want to check out other aspects of the local youth soccer scene, look into TOPsoccer, the national organization that helps children 3 and older who have a developmental or physical disability play soccer, and partners with the Braden River Soccer Club for league play. The spring 2019 season starts at 10:30 a.m. April 13 at Lakewood Ranch Park and runs through May 25.

Braden River Soccer Club President Dave Robinson said the organization still has open slots. If you wish to sign up your child, or want to sign up to be a “buddy” volunteer (usually a college or high school student), you can visit bradenriversoccer.org. If you have questions about the program, contact Robinson at 704-5470 or via email at [email protected].