This summer, four soccer players from Woodford County took their skills from Central Kentucky all the way to a national competition.
Carlos Gaspar-Corpus, Bryan Silverio, Jose Vasquez and Matthew Melanson played on the NEDO Soccer Club’s 13U boys’ team, which qualified for the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in Utah this July.
The Lexington-based club is just three years old, but it has already made a mark on youth soccer in Central Kentucky. NEDO is a nonprofit that gives young players chances to grow, both in soccer and in life.
For these four Woodford County players, all of whom just started eighth grade, the journey took them over 1,500 miles from home for a world-class soccer experience.
The NEDO team competed in the national championships in Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah, joining teams from across the country in the 13U through 19U boys’ divisions.
NEDO didn’t win any of their three group games, but for the four Woodford County players, the experience meant more than the results.
“I feel like it was a good experience to get us to realize how important that was and how lucky we are to be in that situation,” Melanson said.
Just making it to the tournament was a big achievement.
NEDO played through their regular season, then qualified for the State Cup. After winning the State Cup, they kept their momentum going and earned the chance to represent Kentucky in Utah.
For Silverio, who was new to the team this season, hearing they were going to Utah was exciting right away. “I was really excited,” Silverio said. “It was a fun opportunity.”
Once they arrived, the trip turned into more than just playing soccer.
Utah’s scenery was a big change from what the boys are used to seeing in Woodford County. Silverio said the team got to explore and enjoy the sights between games.
“We got to see the views of the mountains,” Silverio said. “We got to go on the ski lift up the mountain, and we got to see a good view of Utah. It was really nice.”
There was a lot to learn on the soccer field, too.
NEDO played against three tough teams in group play. Still, Silverio said playing strong opponents helped them see what they could work on.
“We faced good teams,” Silverio said. “It was a great learning experience.”
For Gaspar, the best parts of soccer aren’t always about the score.
“Meeting new people and playing tournaments,” Gaspar said of what he enjoys most about the sport.
Playing for NEDO has helped Gaspar meet even more people. Instead of just playing with kids from his own school or county, he’s made friends with players from all over Central Kentucky.
“It’s meeting people in different types of areas, and then when you get to see them at another tournament you have someone to catch up with,” Gaspar-Corpus said.
This was even clearer in Utah, where the players spent several days together far from home.
Gaspar-Corpus said one of his favorite parts of the trip was simply “getting to stay with the team.”
Vasquez has played with NEDO for two seasons. When asked about his favorite part of the season, he didn’t hesitate.
“Winning most of the games,” Vasquez said.
The club season has also given Vasquez more chances to compete in tournaments, which he says is one of his favorite things compared to playing for his school.
It was the time spent with his teammates between games.
“Just hanging out with them,” Vasquez said. “We always have fun together.”
It’s a simple answer, but each of the Woodford County players shared it in their own way.
All four of the rising eighth graders are on the high school JV team with hopes of joining the varsity team next season as freshmen.