Valentino Gomez, a freshman soccer player at Florida High, was invited to the U.S. Soccer Talent Invite on Nov. 4 to show his skills and scrimmage in front of college coaches. 

     “It really showed me that there were levels to soccer, and if I just believe I am on a higher level, I can be one of the best,” Gomez said.

     Gomez has been playing soccer since he was five years old, explaining that “it just looked really fun,” which is why he started playing. He believes he has achieved his success by never giving up and always striving to be the best he can be, even if that means taking a break.

     “As a freshman on varsity, the Soccer Invite was not much of a change playing with kids much older than me,” Gomez said.

     While he was playing, he described how he felt that he was in his “flow state,” and how that “really broke down soccer for me.” 

     Liam Hutchison, a senior soccer player, said Gomez, “plays very well and is very fun to be around during practice and games, but when it is time to lock in, he is very good at staying focused.”