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WHO I AM?
The little boy from Laredo, Texas– who leaves his hometown at the age of 12 to peruse his dream. Started playing academy in Club de futbol Pachuca, Fc dallas and international for the Mexican national team, United States men’s national team.
DREAM BIG, BELIEVE, ACT, REACH YOUR GOALS
I enjoyed growing up quite fast having older siblings and always chasing what was next. I accidentally fell into the goalie position playing Sunday leagues with my 30 year old brothers. Nobody wanted to be the goalie… and there was me, a 12 year old from Laredo, Texas waiting for his turn to step in. I was a forward then, definitely did not want to put those gloves on, but my incomplete team didn’t have a choice! I fell in love with the position of the goalie. No, not because we don’t run as much, but because of the feeling of being heroic after a killer save. Being different from the other positions was and IS amazing!
José Carlos knows about his privileged life and wants to give something back. With the “Mercado Elite Training” he sets an example for equal opportunities for children. He’s keen to offer each and every one of them a chance to shine – just as he did back then.
José Carlos knows about his privileged life and wants to give something back. With the “Mercado Elite Training” he sets an example for equal opportunities for children. He’s keen to offer each and every one of them a chance to shine – just as he did back then.
Only having played the position for 6 months I somehow had the guts to try out for the best Futbol academy in all of Central America, “Club de Fútbol Pachuca” academy. I know, I know a little guy from a small town with big dreams, but nothing ever stopped me. We booked a one way ticket and flew out the following morning. To my surprise there was at least 100 goalies the coaches had to filter thru, sending home 20 kids a day. Everybody there had previous training and I had only played 30 year old Sunday leagues!! On the third day I actually started to regret my decision and was hoping to get cut.
Something about being thousands of miles away from family and friends was very upsetting to my stomach. To an even BIGGER surprise I managed to be the only goalie they wanted to sign onto the academy. At this point I knew God was the pilot of my dream. I didn’t feel ready at all despite 1 week of clear affirmations that I was more than ready, there I realized that it was my mentality and presence that made me stand out from 100 other goalies. I remember kicking my father under the table when he was agreeing with the scout to leaving me alone in Pachuca. If you should take anything from that it’s that you should be scared of your dreams, & if you’re not then that means they aren’t big enough.
My dream was taking off and I started training a week later. No friends, no family, and celebrating birthdays & Christmas through phone calls at 12 years old.
The only person that got me through it was God and my personified resilience.
It was a big price to pay for a big dream.
