High School Soccer Star’s Journey
This past summer, high school student Dylan Lopez found himself juggling unexpected responsibilities while preparing a bus table.
“My travel coach called and said I need to take a day off,” Lopez, a 16-year-old senior center at Connets Court, shared. He recently signed to play professionally in Nassau County, joining the American Soccer Club in the National Premier Soccer League. The team was eager to see what he could contribute right away.
In a pinch, Dylan called his twin brother Brandon, who has a football background, to cover his shifts at an Italian restaurant. Fortunately, Brandon stepped in, opening the door for Dylan to showcase his skills among older, more seasoned players.
“I had a plan. I couldn’t say no, so I told him to ‘please!’” Dylan recalled.
When Dylan first played home games with ASC, he and his friends made plenty of noise in the stands, cheering him on.
Now that he’s thriving with a new team focused on local talent development, Dylan is enjoying the lessons of this poignant final varsity season alongside Brandon and his Connets Court group. Even though his pro contract lacks bonuses, he’s able to balance playing for both teams.
“Playing with the Tomcats has been a learning experience. You have to play fast or you won’t last,” Lopez noted.
When younger players seek his advice on improving, he simply tells them, “Just play, play faster, and always know what you want to do.”
Brotherly Bond
At about 5 feet 9 inches and 145 pounds, Dylan embraces the game’s physicality at a high level.
“In training, I’m tough on him so he’s prepared for competition,” Brandon, a 6-foot, 170-pound presence, said.
After a thrilling 4-4 season opener tie with Copiag, where the team turned a 4-1 deficit around, Brandon remarked, “He’s improving every day.”
Dylan humorously added that their familial rivalry motivates him to step up. “It makes me want to bulk up and give him a run for his money,” he laughed.
The brothers also share a unique on-field chemistry that’s hard to replicate. “We know each other’s moves and can anticipate passes,” Dylan explained.
Family Support
This final season for the Lopez twins is made even more special with the inclusion of travel coach Matt Mannina, who brought Dylan onto the team and is now part of Connets Court as an assistant coach.
“I’ve been coaching these kids since they were seven,” Mannina reflected. “They were good back then, but now they’re gems.”
Beyond skill, Mannina highlighted the brothers’ dedication and self-direction as qualities that make him proud to be involved in their journey.
Mannina remains hopeful that Dylan will continue to pursue soccer beyond high school. “At 15 or 16, you can often see a professional in the making. Dylan shows that potential,” he stated.
Brandon also expressed confidence in Dylan’s future, believing he could eventually shine on any team, whether in Europe or domestically. “He just needs to keep working hard,” Brandon concluded.
