Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Henderson native takes another step toward his soccer dreams with spot on Lights’ roster

Alexander Zander Romero

Courtesy Las Vegas Lights

Henderson native Alexander Romero, 17, made his professional soccer debut April 6 with the Las Vegas Lights.

When Alexander Romero was 11 years old, his club soccer team in Southern Nevada had him play up a division against older children. Yet, he was still one of the best players on the field.

His parents added a challenge: They would pay the accomplished goal scorer $5 for every assist, hoping to develop a more complete midfielder — of course, without breaking the bank.

Romero soon became skillful with the ball at his feet in controlling the pace of the game and creating opportunities for teammates.

“We didn’t want him to be a selfish player,” his mother, Laurie Yakubik, said.

Around the same time, Romero set his eyes on a bigger reward: becoming a professional.

He left his native Henderson as an eighth-grader for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy in California, and then spent time playing in the academies of Minnesota United, Real Salt Lake and now LAFC.

The 17-year-old Romero made his professional debut last month, after he was added to the active roster of the Las Vegas Lights — LAFC’s minor league affiliate — for a U.S. Open Cup game against FC Tuscon. Romero played a full 90 minutes.

The following week, the prodigy was included on the Lights’ roster (he didn’t play) for a home game at Cashman Field. It was his first time at the local stadium, but probably not his last as he continues to impress in the LAFC camp.

“That was really cool. Seeing old friends was heartwarming and my family was able to support me,” Romero said.

A high school senior

Romero returned to classes at Bonita High School in La Verne, Calif., following a trip to compete with the El Salvador national team and was greeted like a minor celebrity by classmates.

School days have been missed or cut short many times to accommodate soccer travel through the years, but this return felt different. Photos posted on his social media documenting the experience were seen by classmates, many of whom bombed him with questions about his future in the sport.

“They saw the photos on Instagram. They said, ‘I saw you. That’s crazy. That’s awesome,’” Romero said. “I have always been low-key with what I am doing so that took me by surprise.”

Click to enlarge photo

Henderson native Alexander Romero, 17, made his professional soccer debut April 6 with the Las Vegas Lights.

Romero is set to graduate in a few weeks from Bonita, one of the four high schools has attended in the journey to reach new soccer heights. It was a calculated risk by the family to allow their son to leave his support system in Henderson — but a risk they’d do again.

“My parents never forced me to do anything,” he said. “They were like, “Hey, do you want to move to California? How do you feel about that?’ Of course, I miss my family and friends, but I was excited about playing at a high level and trying to go as far as I can (in the game).”

Romero competes on a USL Academy Contract with the Lights and isn’t paid so he can retain his college eligibility. On some days, his life resembles that of any high school senior — he wakes up early for class, mingles with friends, and is driven by mom in rush hour traffic to soccer practice.

But once at practice, it’s massively different.

He’s being coached by the best of the best, and working to be included on the Lights’ weekly roster.

“He’s very aggressive and (is) a player with good technical ability,” said Lights coach Enrique Duran, who previously worked as an academy coach with LAFC. “He has this energy. What I like about Zander is that he has been with other MLS academies and has that experience. There’s a certain objective in his mind that he wants to achieve.”

That objective: Excelling at the game’s top level. It, after all, is why he left Henderson.

“Europe would be my end goal. I’ve always wanted to play in Europe,” Romero said. “Who is to say it won’t happen? I will never settle and always want to get more.”

Still developing, still learning

Romero learned a little bit about himself in the debut, a 3-2 loss to FC Tucson on April 6. First and foremost: He can play at this level. Secondly, there are some well-put-together men to compete against.

“I have been playing with older guys my whole life and training now with older guys,” he said. “In a sense, I was used to that. But some of those guys, wow. I hit them and it was like hitting a brick wall.”

The Lights closed with two goals in the second half and started to get more comfortable on the attack. Romero, who played defensive center midfield, was part of the charge, Duran said.

“He needed some minutes to calm down because it was such a big opportunity (in his career),” Duran said. “The best form of Zander came at the end of the second half. He needed to challenge himself playing against men, and it took him a few minutes of action to get comfortable. As soon as he realized he could compete, he increased his intensity and effort.”

Romero has also been called up to represent El Salvador’s under-20 team, which has included traveling to San Salvador for training. El Salvador leans on players like Romero — American born and developed but with at least one parent who is a national — to populate their roster.

“Getting to represent a country is something nobody should take for granted. I was so thankful for that opportunity and all of the places I’ve gone because of soccer,” he said.

El Salvador lost in the finals of the Dallas Cup to Panama, but Romero made the most of his opportunity by showcasing his abilities to another coaching staff.

“What we are seeing is there is a lot of potential with Zander,” Duran said.

Romero will remain in the academy for at least the next three months and work toward joining the Lights lineup. They play at 7 tonight at Monterey Bay FC and 7 p.m. May 14 at Cashman against Oakland Roots SC.

“I really hope his dreams come true because he is a hard worker and everything he has given up,” Yakubik said.