My love for soccer started in 1995, when a young boy, with over sized shin-guards walked onto a baseball outfield, with his older sister, goals set up on either side. There were cones and, what seemed to be a million soccer balls scattered around the field. I had to tag along with my sister because the association didn't host an Under-5 team. One year left for me! However, that couldn't keep me away... Does this image bring back pleasant memories for anyone else? We all have a story! We all have that moment that it finally clicked, that one time when we realized, "This is it; The game for me, and it will forever be a part of me."

Soccer became an integral part of my life. As I grew and developed, so did the game. I began to prefer soccer over other sports. There was a time between 2005 -2013 that I never stopped playing. Each new calendar season, there was a new team to play and / or train with. To this day, I'm still playing in various men's leagues throughout the Lehigh Valley. My love for the game never faltered or decreased, perhaps my ability to run sprints has, as I've aged, but the joy of the beautiful game will stay with me for life.

In grade school, I played for multiple clubs like ENCO Premier, FC Imensidade, and Nazareth Area Soccer Club. I've been apart of gold medal winning teams in the Pennsylvania Keystone State Games. I was fortunate enough to play Division III at Marywood University from 2009-2013. My team made multiple deep playoff runs, but missed NCAA's by one penalty kick or lost in ECAC's Finals due to an overtime goal. Success doesn't come without failure, struggle, or adversity.

Although I never had the opportunity to play professionally, I started coaching while still in college and realized perhaps my greatest contribution to the game was yet to come. Coaching allowed my love of the game to continue, while inspiring younger generations of players. Saving Soccer designed to 'save' players by enforcing knowledge of the game, attention to detail, and a direct focus on fundamental skills.