BRADENTON, Fla., - The sun and warm breezes remained a constant Saturday during the second day of the IMG Cup – College Showcase as temperatures soared into the 70s and some of the finest young soccer players from across the nation revealed why they are among the elite in their chosen sport.
MORE TOP PLAYERS: Day 1
MORE COVERAGE: Day 1 Recap | Day 2 Recap
Following is a list of some of the stars who shone the brightest on some of IMG Academy’s 11 soccer fields, including the main stadium, where MLS teams played preseason games last month in preparation for the regular season that begins on March 8:
Brandon Mendoza – Forza U15: Mendoza has been learning at the foot of coach David Dinh for the past eight years now. And not just about soccer.
Mendoza has been enrolled at a technical school in Austin, Texas, where Dinh has been a teacher and coached soccer for the past 14 years.
“He has taught me so much my whole life,” Mendoza said. “Things like my technical ability that I have right now, and it’s not just about soccer.
“He has taught me how to do well socially. I’ve learned discipline and how to focus at school. He’s helping me be ready for life.”
Mendoza scored one of Forza’s three goals in a 3-0 victory over Cutler Ridge Fury U15 of Florida on Saturday.
