College

CASA GRANDE, Ariz. – The Grande Sports Academy home of the Real Salt Lake Academy is pleased to announce the commitment of junior goalkeeper Luis “Wicho” Barraza to Marquette University.

Barraza joins a Marquette program that has earned consecutive berths in the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship and has been on a steady rise under the leadership of head coach Louis Bennett who took over the fledgling program in 2006. Barraza’s former teammate Coco Navarro, who wrapped up his freshman year at Marquette this year, scored the winning goal in overtime over Akron in this year’s College Cup, which gave Marquette their first ever NCAA Tournament victory.

Playing with Navarro again was an opportunity Barraza didn’t want to pass up.

“I was close to Coco and to have someone like that at Marquette is nice. He is a good friend and I felt comfortable going there,” he said. “Plus I want to play with him again”

Barraza is currently in his second season at the Real Salt Lake Academy, he has started in all but one game and has earned the clean sheet in four matches for the Claret-and-Cobalt. Last year, in his first year at the Academy, Barraza split time between the U-15/16 and U-17/18 teams, starting in 22 matches and appearing in 26. Barraza was named the starting goalkeeper for the U-15/16 team in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Finals Championship win over Solar Chelsea on July 20th, 2013.

Barraza’s commitment wasn’t all about soccer as numerous factors went into his decision.

“They are a good school academically and on the field they are equally as good,” said Barraza, who currently holds a 4.2 GPA. “The whole staff was very welcoming and I felt it was a good fit for me. My family also liked it, which made it even more appealing to me.”

However, there is no denying that soccer was a major factor in the decision and when Barraza was asked about Marquette’s style of play, a smile flashed across his face.

“They play good soccer. They knock the ball around and try to play how we play at the Academy. It made me feel really comfortable going to Marquette.”

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Note – For the rest of the semester we will be profiling our seniors who will be leaving the Academy later this year.

Three years ago, players from all over the US formed the first teams as members of the Grande Sports Academy. One of those players, Jose “Bean” Vasquez, has come to embody the type of player the Grande Sports Academy looks for in future recruits. Vasquez, now a senior and set to graduate from High School in May, 2013, is starting to prepare for the next chapter in his life without thinking too much about leaving the place he has called home since 2010.

“I try not to dwell on it. It will be sad because I came here with my teammates from back home. Four of us came here together and we have been here the whole 3 years. It will be sad going to all different parts of the country. The relationships I have built here with the coaches and players, it is going to be tough but I’m definitely excited to go on and play college soccer.”

At 5′ 6″, 135 pounds, Vasquez isn’t the biggest player on the field but that hasn’t stopped colleges from asking about him. Coaches at the Academy have praised him for his hard work ethic, great attitude and a willingness to always try to get better. He also plays an important position within the team’s formation, anchoring the midfield as a number 6 (central defensive midfielder).

As a player on the field he works hard to connect with other players and does an outstanding job distributing the ball. However for all the positive things he does on the field his smaller size has been the one element missing from Vasquez’s game. He understands that even though some college coaches have even asking about his technical skills, others have been afraid due to his lack of “pure” physicality. To counter this Vasquez explained how he has to “do the dirty work and take the hits. Definitely have to use my head. I have to be smarter, work harder, and out run the opposing team. Just overall just try to be a better player.”

Coaches at the Academy have noticed this as well. Assistant coach Tony Bruce praised Vasquez for his play saying, “He does a lot of things for a little guy. He has a good bite, and wins the ball. He plays bigger than what he is.”

When listening to Vasquez speak it is clear he is already years ahead in maturity. For a player who has come to understand his own limitations on the field, Vasquez credits the Academy for helping him become a better person in every aspect in life.

“We have study hall here but I have to make myself do homework and my parents aren’t here to tell me that I have to. School wise it has been the best thing for me and being more responsible without living with my parents. Make sure I go to school early so I can be ready for the day and do laundry and take care of business at school. These things have helped me so far.”

When he first arrived at the Academy Vasquez will admit that things were a bit of a culture shock. But he understood that to play soccer at the next level he had to leave his hometown of Lás Cruces, New Mexico.

“There wasn’t any other option in my town to succeed. I wouldn’t have had been able to go to college to play soccer if I stayed where I was at.”

With that leap of faith Vasquez now looks back on the last few years with fond memories. Enjoying how all the players here have become another family for him.

On February 6th, players from all over the country will be putting pen to paper when it comes to their college choices. When asked about that day and what it will be like to play college Vasquez turns and gives a big smile and says “I want to play pro, but my goal first is to get into college so I can get a degree.”

Luis “Wicho” Barraza commits to Marquette University

Player Profile – Jose “Bean” Vasquez