Seventh grader Shaun Zhu discovered his passion for soccer at a young age. His journey began during one of the biggest sports-related events in the world.
“I first got into soccer in Germany when I saw on TV that France had won the World Cup in 2018,” Zhu said. “I have been fascinated ever since.”
Since that moment, Zhu’s interest in soccer quickly sparked. He started training regularly, working on his passing, dribbling and shooting whenever he had the chance. Whether it was practicing at his club or playing with friends, Zhu kept trying to get better. His hard work recently paid off when he qualified for the MLS Next team. MLS Next is a program that gathers some of the best soccer players in their age group and offers one of the highest levels of youth soccer competition in North America.
“I feel really proud that I made the MLS Next team, and I hope I can keep playing great soccer with my teammates,” Zhu said.
Beyond individual accomplishments, Zhu’s favorite part about soccer isn’t about his personal awards or solo goals. He loves the feeling of everyone working together toward the same thing. For Zhu, celebrating a goal with his teammates and knowing that everyone contributed is what makes the sport special to him.
“One of my favorite experiences from playing soccer is when we make great plays as a team, like if we score a great team goal, which is a much nicer feeling than a solo goal,” Zhu said. “The feeling of working together as a team makes me really happy.”
Soccer does not just teach you how to kick a ball. It has also taught Zhu important life lessons.
“Soccer has taught me not to focus on the mistakes I’ve made, but to focus on how to improve so I can try to not make those mistakes again,” Zhu said.
This mindset helps him during games, but it also applies to school and everyday life. Through practices, games, and tournaments, he has also learned about leadership, communication, and staying calm under pressure.
Looking ahead, Zhu has goals for his future in the sport. He is committed to continuing improving and teaching others around him.
“My goals for the future in soccer are to get on the varsity soccer team in high school and hopefully to be team captain,” Zhu said.
