Hironori Shibahara '23 Recruiting Profile

I, Hironori Shibahara, am very unique, having just moved from Japan to the U.S. in December 2021, and having received top-level education and training in both academics and soccer at Gyosei High School, which is ranked academically in the top 1% of Japan and a soccer team that has reached 3rd place in the nation.

From the day after enrolling in Torrance South High, one of the top academic schools in the South Bay area(Great Schools rank 9/10), I have earned my position as the Varsity team's starting attacker on the left-wing. With my precise trapping and passing, top-speed turns and dribbles, shots and one-touch plays from both feet, and contribution to defense and tactical team plays, I scored  7 goals and numerous assists. I have become an essential key part of the Varsity's run to the semifinal in the CIFSS playoffs, and I was awarded(selected by teammates) Best Offensive Player for the 2021-2022 season.  

As soon as high school season ended, I was invited to and joined Steel United０５ Elite (Ranked No.2 California South).  Our team has won the championship at SoCal State cup in June 2022, qualified for the NPL FINAL in July 2022 and won the championship at Surf College cup in November 2022.

In Chicago where I spent 5 years of my childhood, I played in a travel team as the captain with the number 10 on my back. Upon returning to Japan and playing in a club team, I joined Gyosei High's soccer team which has a history of over 100 years. There I worked hard every day and as a result, received the MVP award in the Rookie League, and soon earned the number 10 of the top team in my last season. At the same time, I have studied hard in a high-level environment in both the U.S. and Japan, which has made me perfectly bilingual, and have already mastered mathematics beyond the high school curriculum. Furthermore, due to my international experience in enduring and overcoming many changes in my environment, I have become able to talk and communicate with anyone in a positive manner and have always led my team in the right direction.

In my college career, I will work hard in both academics and soccer at a high level as I have always done, and am confident that I will maintain high grades in my studies. I will strive to be a unique and indispensable player, bringing diversity and harmony to my team which will enhance teamwork. Like my idol Neymar, I am certain that I will contribute to the team's wins with my ability to change the course of the game in an instant and my creative and precise attacks.