Athan Contos '26 Recruiting Profile

Since I was 3 years old, soccer has been a part of my life.   My parents enrolled me in an “Introduction to Soccer” class at the park district and I was hooked.  I tried other sports, baseball, flag football, and floor hockey, and even though I exceled, I always came back to soccer.   I want to play soccer forever, club, college, pro.   That is my dream and I will work hard to achieve it.

I can play anywhere on the field (except goalie) as I am skilled on both right and left foot.   I have been on a parent coached travel team since 1^st grade.  My club coach often switches me side to side throughout the game depending on where I am most needed.   In one tournament, when we were placed in the wrong bracket and easily winning, he put me in all 11 positions on the field during the game, even goalie!!  In high school, I was immediately placed on the highest-level JV team as a freshman and was awarded best defensive player by my teammates.   As a Sophomore, me and 2 other Sophomores were put on Varsity, but I was the only one to start 95% of the games and got the most minutes.   As a Varsity right back, I only left the field if I got hurt or it was Senior Night.   On my club team, my coach primarily plays me across the midline.   My outstanding dribbling, unselfish on-target passing, and speed make me a great team mate.   I have been called an “athletic”, “dynamic” and a “game-changer”.  I can read the play and anticipate opponents’ moves.  

Year round, I am working to enhance my soccer skills.   Whether it’s playing club soccer, attending a soccer camp, or training on my own.   I drive my mom a bit crazy as I am constantly have a Size1 at my feet in the house.  I am devoted Arsenal F.C. fan.  Traveling to London and Philadelphia to watch them play.  I try to watch as many professional games as I can.  CBS Sports Golazo Show is perfect!   When I am not doing soccer, I am playing Xbox, hanging with my friends, building Lego sets or watching movies.

Obviously being on parent coached teams my whole career, is a bit of a obstruction.  I can’t wait to see where I can go with a professional coach in college.  I have, also had some soccer injury setbacks along the way.   I was shoved on the field and broke my collar bone in between Freshman and Sophmore year.   And I am currently rehabbing my ankle from ligament surgery, but just as with the collarbone, I will come back stronger, faster, and more determined to get to my goals!

At school, I have held a high GPA and am in some honors classes. My goal is to attend a college that will take me to my limits in the classroom and take me to the next level in soccer.  I haven’t quite decided what my future life looks like for me off the soccer field, but I would love to be connected to sports.   Somehow being part of the team would be the dream.  I have no limitations on levels or geography and am open to all of the opportunities.