A new season means new players and to help introduce and welcome our new players we have provided a player profile and a quick Q&A below.
Name – Marcos Hernandez
Hometown – Petaluma, CA
Age – 15
Position – DEF
Previous Club – Marin FC
Q- Why did you join Grande Sports Academy?
A – Heard about it through a friend, Miles Stray.
Q – What made you interested in joining the Academy?
A – Came out here and the whole setup was professional, which made me want to come out and play.
Q – What plans do you have for your future?
A – College and then see where it takes me.
Hobbies – Hanging with friends
Favorite Team – Real Madrid
Favorite Player – Sergio Ramos
Team in FIFA 14 – Real Madrid
Name – Jose Miguel Tapia
Hometown – Guadalajara, Mexico
Age – 16
Position – MID
Previous Club – C.D. Guadalajara
Q- Why did you join Grande Sports Academy?
A – Miha Kline invited me out and I really liked it.
Q – What made you interested in joining the Academy?
A – I really liked the franchise, the work system and how they play hard and work every day.
Q – What plans do you have for your future?
A – Graduate from college go to MLS.
Hobbies – Soccer
Favorite Team – Real Madrid
Favorite Player – Mario Balotelli
Team in FIFA 14- Real Madrid
Name – Patricio “Pato” Yrizar
Hometown – Queretaro, Mexico
Age – 18
Position – MID/FW
Q- Why did you join Grande Sports Academy?
A – Be a soccer player and be a better person.
Q – What made you interested in joining the Academy?
A – I was here two years ago, but I couldn’t play because of a FIFA rule. Now I’m 18, can play and I’m very excited.
Q – What plans do you have for your future?
A – If not professional, then college in America.
Hobbies – Practicing with the ball, gym
Favorite Team – Barcelona
Favorite Player – Andrés Iniesta
Team in FIFA 14- Brazil or Bayern Munich
Name – Erik Holt
Age – 16
Hometown – San Diego, California
Position – DEF
Previous Club – Surf
Q- Why did you join Grande Sports Academy?
A – The level of play, caliber of player and it’s a MLS club.
Q – What made you interested in joining the Academy?
A – The talent level. Just how good the team was when I played against them.
Q – What plans do you have for your future?
A – Go to college and maybe become a pro.
Hobbies – Gym, training, beach, surfing
Favorite Player – Bayern Munich
Player – Pepe
Team in FIFA 14 – Bayern Munich
Name – Austin Tucker
Hometown – Brooklyn, New York
Age -14
Position – MID
Previous Club – FC Westchester
Q- Why did you join Grande Sports Academy?
A – Because my brother was here and he enjoyed it a lot. I want to share the same experience.
Q – What made you interested in joining the Academy?
A – My brother.
Q – What plans do you have for your future?
A – Play pro.
Hobbies – Music, soccer
Favorite Team – Chelsea
Player – Marco Reus
Team in FIFA 14 – Borussia Dortmund
Name – Michael Lanzetta
Hometown – Bronx, New York
Age – 15
Position – MID
Former Club – FC Westchester
Q- Why did you join Grande Sports Academy?
A – I came her for a trial and feel in love with the place.
Q – What made you interested in joining the Academy?
A – The environment of soccer every day. It’s 24/7.
Q – What plans do you have for your future?
A – Become a pro player.
Hobbies – Gold and ping-pong
Favorite Team – Juventus
Favorite Player – Cristiano Ronaldo
Team in FIFA 14 – USMNT
Name – Avery Ferrara
Hometown – Hammond, Louisiana
Age – 14
Position – DEF
Previous Club – Baton Rouge Soccer Club (BRSC)
Q- Why did you join Grande Sports Academy?
A – To get better at soccer.
Q – What made you interested in joining the Academy?
A – When they won the U.S. Soccer Academy U-16 National Championship.
Q – What plans do you have for your future?
A – To go to college and then become a pro player.
Hobbies – Soccer, golf and fishing.
Favorite Team – USMNT
Favorite Player – Cristiano Ronaldo
Team in FIFA 14 – USMNT
Name – Alex Valdez
Hometown – Maui, Hawaii
Age – 15
Position – FW
Previous Club – Matanusca Soccer Club (MSC)
Q- Why did you join Grande Sports Academy?
A – Everything is just good here. The player here are stronger and faster.
Q – What made you interested in joining the Academy?
A – Heard about them and saw them play. Then I came for a summer camp.
Q – What plans do you have for your future?
A – Major League Soccer
Hobbies – Dirt biking, video games and working out.
Favorite Team – Real Madrid
Favorite Player – Cristiano Ronaldo
Team in FIFA 14 – Barcelona
Name – Luke Novick
Hometown – Mill Valley, California
Age – 16
Position – FW
Previous Club – Marin FC
Q- Why did you join Grande Sports Academy?
A – Just how good the players are here.
Q – What made you interested in joining the Academy?
A – I knew someone who was here.
Q – What plans do you have for your future?
A – Play college and then go pro.
Hobbies – Hanging out with friends.
Favorite Team – Chelsea
Favorite Player – Drogba
Team in FIFA 14 – Chelsea
Name – Thomas Ziemer
Hometown – Santa Rosa, California
Age – 17
Position – MID
Previous Club – Dinamo Zagreb
Q- Why did you join Grande Sports Academy?
A – I think it’s a good place to improve as a soccer player. Incredible facilities and a great coaching staff.
Q – What made you interested in joining the Academy?
A – The reputation as a soccer environment.
Q – What plans do you have for your future?
A – Play pro.
Hobbies – Movies, music
Favorite Team – Tottenham
Favorite Player – Sergio Busquets
Team in FIFA 14 – Tottenham
Name – Josh Taylor
Hometown – Anchorage, Alaska
Age – 16
Position – MID
Previous Club – Alaskan North Stars
Q- Why did you join Grande Sports Academy?
A – A couple of friends from ODP spoke very highly of it.
Q – What made you interested in joining the Academy?
A – I came to the summer camp and improved a lot in just the one week I was here.
Q – What plans do you have for your future?
A – Play Division I then go pro.
Hobbies – Skydiving, fishing, hiking, biking, hanging out with friends
Favorite Team – Manchester City
Favorite Player – Neymar
Team in FIFA 14 – Manchester City
Name – Corey Baird
Hometown – Escondido, California
Age – 17
Position – MID
Previous Club – Surf
Q- Why did you join Grande Sports Academy?
A – I wanted to be on another high level team.
Q – What made you interested in joining the Academy?
A – Justen Glad helped convince me.
Q – What plans do you have for your future?
A – Go to Stanford, I’ve already committed.
Hobbies – Soccer
Favorite Team – Manchester United
Favorite Player – Mario Götze
Team in FIFA 14 – Chelsea or Real Madrid