My full name is Andrew Taylor Brody. I am sixteen years old and a junior in high school. I was born in Henderson, Nevada and lived there for the first week of my life and then moved to Denver, Colorado. I was only there for a short period of time and moved to Orlando, Florida and this is where I grew up and spent most of my life.
My parents are Scott and Carol Brody. My father was a professional soccer player for about three years and my mom has been a teacher all her life. My dad and I have always been very close. He taught me how to play the game I have loved since the day I could walk. This game of soccer is what my entire life has consisted of. My dad coached me until I was thirteen years old and now coaches my little brother, Eric Brody and my little sister, Megan Brody.
When I was little, I was always the best player on my team and I got opportunities that most kids don’t get in their life. I was good enough to train and attend Ajax’s youth academy in Amsterdam, Holland when I was ten years old. I did not move to Amsterdam because it would have been a big sacrifice for my family. When I was fifteen years old I was on trial with MFK Kosice in Slovakia. I was good enough to make their academy team, but could not attend due to passport reasons.
Although I am very close to my dad, my mom has helped me become the person I am today. She would always be there for me when my dad and I got in numerous arguments. She has supported me 100% of the time throughout my journey to become a professional soccer player. I am a very responsible and kind person. I have always been a shy kid, but once I get to know someone I am more outgoing. My whole life I have wanted to play professionally with Aston Villa Football Club in England. That is what I work for each and every day.
This past summer I was invited to play the Generation Adidas Cup with Real Salt Lake. I had a good showing and that’s how I am here today living the dream at Grande Sports Academy in Arizona. Coming here, I had to sacrifice a lot in my life. I don’t get to be around my family who I love and watch my brother and sister grow up. It seemed like me and my brother were finally becoming close and appreciating one another and then I left. I am not going to be able to watch my sister become a teenager and I will not be able to watch my puppy back home become a gigantic dog. It was very hard to leave my parents as well. Many tears were shed when I had to leave my family.
Coming to play with Real Salt Lake – Arizona, it turned out to be the best decision of my life. Training every day with top class players, coaches, and facilities has made me become a better player and person. The most significant events for me are game days. This is what we prepare for every week and what I live for. I am lucky enough to have scored five goals so far this season, receiving Academy Player of the Week by US Soccer and played in the Select Game at the Nike Friendlies International Winter Showcase.
However, I could not have done any of this without my teammates and coaches. “With team success comes individual success” is a quote we preach here at Real Salt Lake – Arizona everyday. Without my teammates pushing me in every training session and fighting for me every game I would not have any of these accolades.
If it weren’t for the amazing coaching staff at RSL-AZ, who devote their lives to Grande Sports Academy and push my teammates and I to become the best we can be. If I did not come to Real Salt Lake – Arizona, college options would be very limited for me. I had many scholarship offers from the top Division I schools and I cannot thank everybody here at Real Salt Lake – Arizona enough for making this possible for me. I have committed to a great collegiate program – University of Louisville.
Like I said earlier, my ultimate goal in my life is to play professional soccer and walk out on the field for Aston Villa Football Club in Birmingham, England. I am a devoted Aston Villa fan and have every jersey and accessory you can think of. I watch every single game no matter what time it is. I even woke up at five in the morning on a game day to watch them play. Since Aston Villa is an average team that doesn’t win often, they cause me the most stress in my life. I have never given up on them and will do anything to put on the Villa jersey and step out on the field for them. I would love to go there and I know that getting a college education before I accomplish that goal is necessary.
I have always taken my schooling very seriously and have tried my hardest to get all “A’s” my entire life. In order to get to the college and professional level, I must work harder then anyone else on the soccer field and in the classroom. I put in extra hours working on my weaknesses in my game and studying through the night to one day to reach my goal.
I like to think that someone in the world will play for Aston Villa one day – so why can’t that be me? Coming here to Real Salt Lake – Arizona is a big step in my soccer career. I can and will become a professional soccer player and one day play for the club I have supported my whole life since I work hard with the coaching staff here. I am proud of my past and can see the future ahead of me, now it is up to me if I want to put in the work and one day have my dreams become my reality.
