Roberto Rivera Castaneda '25 Recruiting Profile

Throughout my life I have always looked at soccer as something fun but also as an escape from any anxiety, frustrations, or just responsibilities. It feels as if as soon as you step on to that field everything in your mind goes away. I'm sure many players can agree with me on this. Although I do love to play soccer, I haven’t always had the chance to feel that way in every game or in every team I have played for. I have always had trouble finding clubs that will suit me and my mom. I say my mom because of the fact that she is a single mother. She always does the best she can to provide opportunities for me, we haven’t always had the chance to have me on a team, so I relied on school teams since starting high school. 

In soccer having good communication with my teammates is my main priority. I think that communication is essential to having a winning team. Also, I like to have a coach that doesn't just do drills and scrimmages, but one that also can pull you aside and help you improve 1 on 1 during practice. I like to have a sort of personal relationship with the coach. A coach that isn't afraid to criticize or point out a flaw because this way I know that they are doing everything they can to make me a better player. As a player I like to be in a more leadership role. In a lot of teams I would be the only one talking, so I have had many opportunities as captain on my teams. For example, my 10th grade year I was chosen as captain because of my leader-like personality on and off the field. I am open to playing any other positions based on what would fit me best. I like to always be a part of the play, whether it be communicating with my teammates on positioning, pointing out the options they have, helping distribute the ball, and providing options for my teammates when I don’t have the ball.

When I go to college I want to go to a place with a competitive soccer program, somewhere with an also promising veterinarian program. I want a college that offers smaller classes, a college that likes students to work a lot in groups, with a lot of hands-on activities. As well as the coach, I like to have a more personal relationship with the teacher and be able to learn 1 on 1 with the teacher when I need the help. I am open to colleges outside of California.