Saba brings international flavor to the pitch

Saba brings international flavor to the pitch
October 17, 2009
Steeven Saba is an interesting young man, to say the least. His soccer skills alone make him stand out from the rest but that’s hardly the most intriguing thing about him.

Saba was born in Haiti, and just this year moved to the United States in order to pursue his passion and dream of becoming a professional soccer player. While playing for Haitian club Shana, Saba also toured the world in order to hone his immense skill.

Boys elite club soccer player Steeven Saba.Steeven Saba
He’s spent time in camp with Real Madrid, toured through Europe and camped at Duke University. You name it, Saba has been there and back.

It was while playing for Shana at a tournament in the Cayman Islands, however, when he was spotted by Weston FC coach Alvin James who implored Saba and his family to move to Miami where they already held residence and Saba was already an American citizen.

Saba was looking for options to continue his tutelage due to the fact that his Haitian club didn’t offer soccer beyond his current U16 age group.

So with that, he’s made his new home in Miami. His parents alternate staying with him during two-week intervals while the other stays with the rest of the family back in Haiti.

“I miss my brother and sister some, and talk to them every day. But I like my new high school and new friends,” Saba said.

Despite just being 16, Saba is in his final year of high school. And there’s no doubt in his mind what he wants to pursue after he grabs his diploma.

“I want to go to college, but I want to become a pro,” he said. “This is my passion and my dream. I like Miami, it’s a different experience for me. Playing in different places makes me feel more comfortable because I’ve had opportunities to move around the world. It makes me believe in myself and feel less stress.”

That much was true during last week’s U.S. U18 national camp where he performed well alongside players like Sean Cunningham, Oscar Gonzalez, Miguel Lopez, William Trapp, Scott Thomsen and Chris Somerville. The dynamic midfielder is gifted with the ball at his feet and has a strong strike. Saba’s game contains a unique character; you can see the international flavor in his skills, not to mention his hair cut - a curly, mini afro that not just anyone could pull off.

“I like it,” Saba said. “It’s different. People say they usually never see anything like it.”

Unique. Kind of like Saba’s game, and his story.

Read all our U18 MNT camp coverage



U.S.U18 Men's National Camp Roster

GOALKEEPERS (3): Jonathan Kempin (Kansas City Wizards; Leawood, Kans.), Max Kurtzman (FC Delco; Bryn Mawr, Pa.); Adam Zepeda (Arsenal; Corona, Calif.)

DEFENDERS (12): Kevin Alvarenga (Rush Academy; Katy, Texas), David Caban (Chicago Fire; Kenosha, Wisc.), Sean Cunningham (Derby County Wolves; Troy, Mich.), George Fradenburg (Birmingham United; Belden, Miss.), Bryan Gallego (New York Red Bulls; Kinnelon, N.J.), Ricardo Hernandez (Arsenal; Fontana, Calif.), Matt Sheeleigh (PDA; New Vernon, N.J.), Aaron Simmons (Dallas Texans; Mansfield, Texas), Isaiah Trejo (Cal Odyssey; Clovis, Calif.), Victor Vasquez (Chivas USA; Cypress, Calif.), Eric Weberman (Derby County Wolves; Farmington, Mich.), Matthew Wiltse (PDA; Belle Mead, N.J.)

MIDFIELDERS (13): Nat Eggleston (Potomac; Chevy Chase, Md.), Oscar Gonzalez (New York Red Bulls, Clifton, N.J.), Matt Ingram (Indiana United; Indianapolis, Ind.), Miguel Lopez (Lonestar SC; Alton, Texas), Jon-Paul Medina (Cal Odyssey; Fresno, Calif.), Daniel Metzger (PDA; Holmdel, N.J.), Kevin Pahl (Clearwater Chargers; Lakeland, Fla.), Steve Palacios (United FC; San Clemente, Calif.), Victor Pineda (Chicago Fire; Bollingbrook, Ill.), Jimmy Petruccelli (Seacoast United; Brentwood, N.H.), Steeven Saba (Weston Academy; Miami Beach, Fla.), Scott Thomsen (PDA; Brick, N.J.), William Trapp (Columbus Crew; Gahanna, Ohio)

FORWARDS (8): Samuel Adjei (New York Red Bulls; Newark, N.J.), Zach Batteer (Beadling SC; Pittsburgh, Pa.), Bryce Follensbee (Florida Rush; Orlando, Fla.); Marcus Lacroix (NJSA; New Egypt, N.J.), Sean Okoli (Washington Premier; Federal Way, Wash.), Sekani Sinclair (Weston SC; Coral Springs, Fla.), Chris Somerville (FC Delco; West Chester, Pa.), Ryan Zinkhan (Richmond Strikers; Fredericksburg, Va.)
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