The562’s coverage of Lakewood Athletics is sponsored by J.P. Crawford, Class of 2013.
When opportunity has found Angelo Funes during his soccer career the Lakewood senior has grabbed on tightly.
Even his move from an AYSO forward to a club Laguna FC defender early in his career helped Funes unlock his true potential on the field. The first games he played with Laguna FC was his first on the back line, and he helped his team win a tournament that week.
“I felt like I played better in the back,” said Funes. “Defense seems so much easier to me than having the pressure to go and score. A goal line clearance or a nice slide tackle almost has the same value as scoring a goal.”
Funes also didn’t expect to play Varsity when he arrived at Lakewood four years ago, but the opportunity came from coach Alex Diaz and Funes has been a four-year Varsity starter for the Lancers.
“When you talk or think about a leader, he is the perfect example of leadership on and off the field,” said Diaz. “He is the most disciplined player I’ve had in all my years of coaching. He’s had a 4.0 GPA since his freshman year, never ditched or missed a practice, never talked back or had a bad attitude… He’s always positive and has always given it 100 percent. He may not be as vocal as others but he leads by example.”
Funes will help lead the Lancers defense into the CIF SoCal Regional second round game today against Torres. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
We caught up with Funes this week to talk about his life and Lakewood’s historic postseason run.
Question: What’s it feel like to get your team to a CIF final for the first time since 1985?
Answer: It feels great going to the finals and making history. We care a lot. The whole team and everybody keeps talking about it. We have teachers at school telling us about it. It’s so cool that people care.
Q: Were you surprised that you got a chance to start as a freshman on the Lakewood varsity team?
A: I honestly was. Coming to Lakewood I was just expected to (play on the freshman team) and it was COVID year so I didn’t even think we were going to be playing. But then we played and I was on Varsity and it was a really good feeling.
Q: It also must’ve been strange, right?
A: It was weird. I still had an eighth period class so I was on the phone zoom call with my teacher while still having to practice.
Q: What was the most challenging part of that year?
A: The thing I struggled with was my nerves, as a freshman on Varsity. It’s like a feeling in your chest. It doesn’t hurt, you can just feel like something is there. I just try to play my hardest, not thinking about it and in warmups it goes away.
Q: This Lakewood defense hasn’t given up a postseason goal in almost 400 consecutive minutes, why have you been so successful this month?
A: It’s our chemistry. Most of these players have been playing together for a long time. Guys like Ozi stepped up, and now he’s playing like he’s been here, like he’s a senior. The support from not only the players on the field but the players on the bench has really motivated us more. IF anyone feels down there’s always someone there to tell them they’re doing good or they’ll be okay. That’s what we had this year that we didn’t have the last couple of years.
Q: What are your favorite subjects in school?
A: I’m passionate about my academics, and I’m good at math. Algebra came easiest, solving problems like that for me was very simple.
Q: Do you play video games?
A: Yes, FIFA with (teammates) Alan Gonzalez and Eli. They’re pretty good, but I’m better than them. They just can’t admit it.
Q: What’s your favorite food?
A: Pupusas (from parent’s native El Salvador). You can put beans and cheese, or just cheese, on the flour and you pat it out flat. My mom makes them.
Q: What’s your least favorite food?
A: I hate olives. They’re just nasty. Any color olive, I don’t like.
Q: If you were stuck on a deserted island but you could bring one person with you, who would you bring?
A: My girlfriend.
Q: If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?
A: If I could talk to anybody again, it would be my grandpa. Robert Alley. He passed away two years ago. He helped raise us.
Q: What’s your favorite movie right now?
A: Aquaman. Everyone just viewed him as an outcast because his father was from the line. It’s relatable to Lakewood soccer, we don’t get recognition and come from the bottom. We went from not having support to having a stadium full of people watching us.
