Sophomore Jake O kicks his way to success

Samantha Ruhl

Staff Writer

From Italy to Spain to Sweden, sophomore soccer player Jake O’s soccer skills have rewarded him with the opportunities to travel the world.

Sophomore Jake O plays right back and right midfield on travel team Golden State, which is under the organization Coast Soccer League. O started playing on the team last year when a player’s father on his previous team, So Cal FC, recommended it for him.

“Golden State was going to a lot of places and they were playing in competitive tournaments and I thought that it would be a good experience, so I decided to try out,” O said.

O has been playing soccer for 6 years. By the age of 13, O knew that he wanted to be on a travel soccer team. He joined So Cal Futbol Club, but left for Golden State because he thought it would be a better experience.

“Golden State was going to a lot of places and they were playing in competitive tournaments and I thought that it would be a good experience,” O said.

Golden State is on a travel soccer league that give the chance for kids to go around the world to play in places like Italy, Spain, and Sweden. So Cal FC was a club team that did not travel.

“If anyone is interested in any club soccer they should look at both soccer leagues and try out for teams that they feel would be a better fit for them at their level,” O’s mother and Golden State’s manager Gloria O said.

Each of the Golden State practices are from 1 to 3 hours depending on what will be practiced. The practices focus on passing drills, technical, possession, and conditioning. O said that the practices are not as hard as they are competitive and the season is year round.

“Each club team determines the amount of participation in tournaments.  Practices usually 3 times a week with a day of conditioning,” Gloria O said.

O enjoys soccer because it is a fast pace game that involves lots of running and does not play any other sports. In the future, he hopes to play soccer in college.

“Soccer is a huge part of my life, it keeps me active and allows me to be fit and happy,” O said.