The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
Wilson might be the most hungry team in Moore League boys’ soccer.
The Bruins have been very talented and notched quality wins but have fallen short of their own high expectations since winning a pair of league championships in 2019 and 2022.
“We underperformed at moments and we were left without anything to grasp onto and celebrate,” coach CJ Brewer said.
“Last year we were very talented but we didn’t have the passion,” senior captain Fernando Martinez said. “We were beaten by teams that wanted it more. This year we’re going to want it more and that’s going to be the difference.”
That dedication to being more driven has been put to the test during Brewer’s grueling off-season training. The Wilson cross country coach has set a high standard for fitness within his soccer program. Like in years past, Brewer had his team race in Moore League’s Signal Hill and Heartwell official cross country races.
“This group is very hard working and it seems like we’re going to be that team that has a little extra juice at the end because they put in a lot of work in the offseason,” Brewer said of his team’s fitness. “We hope to outwork and beat teams that might be better than us on paper.”
Martinez (left) will be key to any Wilson success from his central midfield position. The senior is a very technical player who said he worked on his speed and direct approach in the offseason.
“He is a Swiss Army knife who can play anywhere and has the ability to quarterback our offense,” Brewer said of Martinez. “And when we get in the red zone he can sniff out the goal and shoot. Our attack start with him and we’re expecting him to be a port of a lot of goals.”
Brewer added that he may find a way to rotate as many as 17 players into a game this season because of his squads depth, and that will be key to keeping his midfield fresh. Senior Michael Ulloa will also serve an important role in his defensive midfield position.
Also on defense, Wilson has a strong experienced leader in returner Ryusei Mogi. The fast and technically sound senior has a knack for keeping composed on the ball and connecting passes, as he showed in quality minutes last year. He will be joined on the back line by seniors Yair Gonzalez and Eloy Sanches, as well as a rotation of young players like Zion McClain and Ethan Supernaw.
Other newcomers who will make an impact are juniors Casey Pettyjohn and Dylan Parada. Pettyjohn is a midfielder who has produced goals in offseason scrimmages, and Parada is a striker with game-changing ability.
There is a question mark in goal with senior goalkeeper Grayson Gilmore waiting for approval from his LAFC Academy to play high school soccer. He won’t be available until at least next month, which has allowed sophomore Angel Ramirez to take over after playing the vast majority of Wilson’s summer and fall league games in goal.
Once again Wilson has a challenging schedule with teams like Servite, JSerra, Huntington Beach and Downey on the preseason docket.
“We’re one of the larger school in CIF Southern Section, our mindset is that we should compete with the best,” Brewer said. “If we get beat up by them it only makes us stronger and more prepared for league and the future.”
