Ricardo Benitez '19 Recruiting Profile

I recognized at an extremely young age that I was passionate about soccer, and I still am. Ever since I was four I was kicking a soccer ball and for the next ten years I played for a few different teams where I met most of my closest friends that I have now. During that time, I was playing against teams that were not so great, including my team, which made me think I was an amazing soccer player because I was doing a lot for the team and I was a huge part for them. At 14-years old, one of my coaches pulled me over and asked me to join a new club called Bayside. I did not know what to say or feel when I heard those words. I talked to my parents about it and they also did not know if I should join them or not, but in the end, my parents said it would benefit me. I went to one of their practices and I could tell right away that I got myself into a much better club. However, I noticed I am not as good as I thought I was, but because of that, I worked harder at the practices and improved a lot more as a player. Also, the club was helping me a lot because we were doing college showcases and it enabled me to show my talent to a few colleges.

In games, I try my best because I want to receive college offers for my soccer skills. Every good soccer player’s dream is to go pro in soccer, and that’s what my dream is. My family does not have a lot of money, so I need to try my best to get a scholarship or any type of financial aid I can get. Soccer is so important to me, it can even make me emotional. My soccer skills is important even to my family, my parents are always really into my games and yell at me to do better. Also, in the Disney college showcase, I scored in a game and my mom was so happy she started crying which showed me how much my mom really cares about my soccer career.

Overall, my life would not be how it is now without soccer. I have always been so passionate about soccer and it will always be part of my life. I would love to teach kids about soccer when I am older like I have before with my high school coach. Soccer has a huge impact on what kind of person I am and how I feel everyday.