Brandon Fagiolo '21 Recruiting Profile

Hi,

Every now and then I get asked this same question, "why do you play soccer?" or "what does soccer mean to you?". It comes off as a very tough question, but the answer is honestly pretty simple. My name is Brandon Fagiolo and I am a player of the class of 2021. I play fullback (and wing) at the club Real Salt Lake-AZ for their ECNL squad. I started playing when I was 5 and have been attached to the game ever since. I have also represented Arizona in the Olympic Development Program tournament. Before I moved to the US, I lived in Singapore. Over there, I played for various clubs including JSSL-Arsenal, Brazilian Soccer School, and Vanda Football Academy. Living there allowed me to gain an international style of playing different from soccer in America which gave me a good foundation for my understanding of the game. These experiences gave me a chance to play in many different environments and taught me how to adapt to changes. Whenever I moved to a new country, a lot of things would change (I would go to a new school, make new friends etc.). However, the one thing that never changed was the fact that I continued to play soccer. It was my way of connecting to people. Looking back on my relationship with this game. It was never really about playing so I could get exercise, or playing so I could be famous one day, or anything along those lines. Yes it is a dream of mine to go pro, but that's not why I play soccer. I play for the simple reason that I cannot live without this sport. I worry about the day that I will have to stop playing soccer because I am too old or something. Soccer helps me function. When I'm not playing it, I'm reading it, I'm watching it, or I'm playing it on my Xbox. It's my everyday life . I now understand that there is nothing that can stop me from playing the game I love.