The FPU men’s soccer team played its annual alumni game Tuesday night, with the 2010 team knocking off the alums 4-1.
The alumni featured a talented group highlighted by former San Jose Earthquake Orlando Ramirez and former PDL defender of the year Jose Delgadillo.
“It was a good game for us,” said coach Jaime Ramirez. “We got to play everybody and put three different teams out there. We have a big roster this season.”
Ramirez, who has 30 players on the roster, was happy with how the team performed. “They were following objectives and getting into team rhythms,” he said. “It was a very talented and experienced alumni team, but the training paid off for this squad of relatively young players.”
Freshman Julian Mattaliano (Sunnyside HS) netted the first goal for the Sunbirds. Returnees Valentin Gonzalez and Paul Islas also scored for FPU. The final goal was put in by Brazilian newcomer Bruno Pessoa.
A freshman from Rio de Janeiro, Pessoa highlights a recruiting class that includes fellow Brazilians Gustavo Da Silva and Fabricio Nazare, as well as Bullard High defensive standouts Chris Young and Luke Tyler. The team also brings in two top midfield recruits, Alexis Hernandez from Porterville and Jordan Cardoza of Tulare.
The Sunbirds return some offensive firepower despite losing Rodrigo Vianna and Vitor Machado. Islas is coming off a strong freshman campaign and will team with junior Guilherme Machado and senior Mihailo Jovanovic to get the offense going.
The team plays a scrimmage against West Hills College this Saturday, before hosting CSU Stanislaus in an exhibition on Monday. The regular season begins the following Wednesday, the 25th, when they take on Embry-Riddle (AZ). All three games are scheduled for 7 pm at FPU’s Ramirez Field.
The team spent the last few weeks working with local elementary schools and helping run youth soccer clinics. Coach Ramirez and his players worked with local coaches and young people, with the goal of improving the overall quality of local soccer and education.
“My goal is to work with coaches to give kids a better understanding of the game,” said Ramirez. “I also want them to see that top-level players like ours can train kids.”