Senior Richard Smith is captain of the boys soccer team. As a new leader in our school’s sports teams, he looks to the future of soccer and hopes to lead the new wave of young ballers. Richard has been playing on the soccer team since his sophomore year. He has gone from a team player to a team leader.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
So you’re the new soccer captain in school, how has becoming captain changed your mentality on the game?
Being captain for the soccer team is a great feeling. Being the one to lead my team changed my mentality towards the game. I’ve become more of a leader and someone the younger players look up to.
What roles do you carry as captain to bring the team together?
As captain, the role I bring is leadership and hard work. Hard work that pushes other teammates around me to follow in my footsteps.
Do you have any players who inspire you? What character traits do you think inspire you the most about this player?
A player that inspires me is Cristiano Ronaldo because of his work ethic, his perseverance and his hunger for the game.
Who are some key players to watch out for in the coming season? What potential can you bring out of them as captain?
A few key players to look out for in the upcoming seasons are Matthew, Jonathan, and Jancarlos. Some potential I can bring out of them is skills like hard work and discipline.
How has playing on the soccer team helped you develop your skills?
Playing on the soccer team helped me develop my skills because of Coach Medina and learning new things while practicing consistently every day.
What might be your favorite part of playing the sport?
I like playing because, obviously, in the future, one of my main goals is to become a professional in soccer.
