Christian Gutierrez '17 Recruiting Profile

I believe that a person who aspires a dream should always pursue it because it challenges a person to reach their full potential. Throughout the years, I have been able to hold on to my aspirations even thought many obstacles have been thrown my way. When I was about 3 years old, my father had a dream that one of his 4 sons would pursue a career in the sport that he loves. So, for each of his children, he motivated them into joining the sport at a young age. Two of my older brothers, Bruno and Cesar, were not very committed to playing the sport because they had other interest that they wanted to pursue. My oldest brother Joel, however, had received a full ride scholarship to UIC but had to decline it because he had a child at an early age and thought it would be beneficial for him to join the Air Force instead. I was the only one left that my father could rely on in achieving his dream. I was very determined to play soccer because I thought it was very fun and many people had faith in me to become something big. Unfortunately, my father never saw me develop as a soccer player because he was deported from the US when I was only 10 years old, something that really hit me hard as a child.

    I had to battle my way as a soccer player and student as I still wanted to achieve "the dream", not the american dream, but my fathers dream. I committed myself to soccer so much that for the next 3 years I would literally play soccer everyday. Soccer has become a big part of me because I feel that soccer has distracted me from doing things that I would later regret in my life. I have followed many soccer stars over the years, but none of those inspired me more than Alexis Sanchez. Alexis Sanchez has made me realize that any dream is possible if you put in enough hard work and if you take the right steps. I have now reached a stage in my career where failing is not a option. I hope to succeed as both a student and soccer player by attending a 4 year university/college that would help me pursue a career that I am proud to obtain. I do not drink nor smoke in order to accommodate the needs of living a healthy soccer life. I hope that thanks to my life as a person dedicated to soccer, my hard work will pay off.