US U17 national camper continues to develop skill

US U17 national camper continues to develop skill
July 19, 2009
Victor Chavez has made quite a name for himself in just a short amount of time.

Need proof?

Last month, Chavez was called into the U.S. U17 Men’s National camp in New Jersey and two weeks later was beckoned back to take part in a second camp played in Greensboro, North Carolina.

This is noteworthy because U.S. soccer camps can be as much about visibility as they are about talent, and it was only a few years ago that Chavez was playing only in Mexican Leagues, far beyond the radar of youth national teams.

Elite boys club soccer player Victor Chavez.Victor Chavez
It was a far cry from sharing the field with fellow studs like Keith Cardona, Michael Ambrose, Jordan McCrary, Stefan Jerome, Jack McInerney and Carlos Martinez.

My, how things have changed for the forward quick study.

“Them calling and inviting me was pretty crazy,” Chavez said. “It had always been kind of a dream. I grew up watching the World Cup and the Mexican National Team. The speed of play was fast and the trainings were tough. I think there were some things I learned and adjusted to.”

Learning and adjusting have marked the last couple years of Martinez’s soccer career. Since his recent introduction into the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, he’s had his father drive him a near two-hour route to practice with the U16 Real So Cal team.

He arrived fairly “raw,” but has since refined much of his ability and won over his teammates after leading the squad in scoring this year

“His ability to learn really sets him apart,” said Real So Cal coach Julio Castillo. “He had to learn how to fade back a little bit and slow down some. When he first came he brought a tenacity, because he wants to win at all costs, that the team wasn’t ready for at times. But he’s learned how to wait on his teammates and the team respects him and his quiet leadership.”

Chavez has willingly made adjustments to his game and taken himself out of his comfort zone for one reason.

“I want to be No.1, and be the best I can be,” Chavez said. “In order to do that there will always be something to fix and work toward. I’ve had to improve my technical skill – I wasn’t really that great at that. The speed of play and the competitiveness have all been different for me, but you never should feel comfortable because there’s always something to improve.”

It’s that mindset that has allowed Chavez to reach heights that weren’t necessarily on his radar a few years ago, but are now very possible.

“I just want to keep playing and growing as a player,” he said. “I would like to be on the national team and that’s something I’ll be shooting for.”
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