Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Soccer:

Teen making mark in soccer world on a national scale

Antonio Veazquez 1

Stephen R. Sylvanie / Special to the Home News

Antonio Velazquez, 13, warms up for the Nevada State Olympic Development tryouts at Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex. Later this month, Velazquez will be part of the United States team that faces Mexico in a match in Guadalajara.

Click to enlarge photo

Antonio Velazquez, 13, dribbles a ball in the air while warming up for the Nevada State Olympic Development tryouts at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex.

Southern Nevada's Antonio Velasquez has grown accustomed to being the top soccer player on the field.

But when he plays for the United States' 13-and-under team on Jan. 18 against host Mexico in Guadalajara, Velasquez will be among the best players in the country.

"The players on our team are really good," said Velasquez, who plays locally for Neusport Football Club. "They are much faster and bigger than most of the guys in Las Vegas."

Velasquez got a taste of what the best players in the United States were like when he traveled to the U.S. Youth Soccer Boys Thanksgiving Interregional in Orlando, Fla., in late November.

Eddie Henderson, Nevada Youth Soccer's director of coaching, led Velasquez and five others to the event, which gives coaches a chance to evaluate talent for future U.S. teams.

Reaching the regional was a major accomplishment for the children, who have spent the year competing in various tryouts with hopes of making it to the next level.

The ultimate goal is to one day play for the United States in the World Cup and the Olympics.

"This has been a very good year for Nevada," said Henderson, who coordinates Nevada's Olympic development tryouts. "When you watch the kids at these camps you can tell most of the best come from the western region."

Velasquez and Las Vegas United's Antonio Murrillo were named to the national 13-and-under team in August.

Velasquez, an eighth grader at Ed Von Tobel Middle School, said those who can handle pressure will stand out.

The other locals who made the trip to Orlando included Irvin Gijon, Ruben Duran and Andrew Pardo, who made the 14-and-under team.

Sean Ammerman can be reached at 990-2661 or [email protected].

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