Player of the Year
Luis Lopez has been named player of the year. "Luis Lopez has been chosen by the Thunderbird coaching staff as the most valuable player due to his teamwork, positive attitude, dedication, and ability to make those around him play harder and better. There were numerous individual that could have been considered for the MVP this season. However, this year’s MVP stood out with his team first attitude. I have been coaching for some time and don’t often misread players during tryouts. However, my first impression of Luis could not have been more wrong. He is not your prototypical soccer player in build. In tryouts, I also did not note his will and determination. In fact, Coach Peco said that he was one of the better players from last year’s squad and I was somewhat surprised. All surprise was gone after the first few games of the season and were completely eclipsed in a particular game this season. The game was close. We were within one goal of winning or losing the game. We had a difficult defensive matchup on Scott Beaudoin’s side. He had been running us ragged all game. I looked over at the bench and noticed Luis, one of my best players, on the bench and Scott looked tired. I decided to make the sub. I called him over and asked him to make the sub. He said, “Scott’s doing well over there. You should leave him in the game.” Usually when individuals have the opportunity to play they jump at the chance. What this individual was saying is that they would rather leave Scott on this difficult matchup for the team then play for his own benefit. I told him to sit back down and made a different sub shortly after that. The next day before practice I said, “I know that Scott was doing well defending the player but when I looked at the bench I noticed one of my best players sitting there. At no time when the game is on the line would I not want you on the field.” I meant that then and he showed me why I was right to feel that way throughout the season. He was 4th in goals and first in assists while being an extremely tough defender. "
Thunderbird
Washington
Greenway
Shadow Mountain
Apollo
Sunnyslope
Independence
Moon Valley
Cortez
