Shota Maekawa '23 Recruiting Profile

My name is Shota Maekawa, and I am in the class of 2023 at South Pasadena High School. My goal is to play collegiate soccer while studying biomedical science. I currently hold a 4.20 GPA (W) with an emphasis in biomed classes. I plan to complete 8 or more AP courses before I graduate in 2023.

On the field, I am a quick and skillful central midfielder. Finding ways to break down the opponent and creating the smartest plays are how I usher my team to victory. I know how to push myself along with my teammates and lead all eleven players. Both on and off the field, I am a respectful and humble person; always putting my friends and family before myself, and always leaving it all on the field.

I am persistent, diligent and unwavering when it comes to soccer and school.

I started club soccer at age 10 on a flight 2 team. With dedication and hard work, I was able to make the jump to one of the most competitive flight 1/academy level teams in my area. Although I will face challenges at new teams, I strive to be the best wherever I go. At age 15/ 16, I played 2 years in the ECNL, with my first year with LA Surf and my second year with FC Golden State East. We made to ECNL National Playoffs and advanced to Final 16. While playing in the ECNL, I also played up with FC Golden State u19s in a men's league, called Southwest Premier League, where I am challenging myself to compete against the next level with stronger and faster opponents.

Currently, I play for FCGS FORCE MLS Next u19 where I will play my final year of club soccer and prepare to head off and play college ball. During the preseason, we traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico, for trainings and matches against the local academy teams like Chivas, Tecos FC and Atlas FC.

In addition, I have been selected to be part of International Prospect Academy (IPA), which is a select team consisting of players all across the nation. With this team, I had played in the Villarreal Summer Yellow Cup in Spain against European Youth Academies such as Villarreal CF. Beginning of this year, I had also traveled to Portugal with IPA to play against teams such as Sporting CP, Benfica, and FC Porto.

I believe myself to be capable, diligent and highly competitive. I will not stop until I reach my goal, and my drive to do so befriends many, including my teammates and coaches. I am very amenable and low key off the field, so I have many friends and very few enemies, if none at all. I hope to contribute to my college team in whatever position that will best suit the team.