Compton boys’ soccer is trusting the process and it’s starting to pay off.
For the first time in a long time, Compton is fielding all three levels and under coach Juan Reynoso is excited about the dedication he is seeing from his players.
“Im always optimistic because I know what they can do,” Reynoso said. “I’m a lot more confident in them because of their confidence that has really come from building themselves up the last three or four years. This year the players sound a lot more confident. They’re looking at what they’re doing a lot more carefully.”
Reynoso has increasingly picked up the intensity of training and the level of expectation, like having his entire program run cross country.
“That’s because of them and they’re welcoming it,” Reynoso said. “They’ve matured a lot, I’m proud of them. They’re accepting the challenges of working out and preparing for the season.”
Leading the way is senior midfielder Jesse Flores, who has been with the program for a few years so he’s seen the growth first hand.
“We set a higher standard and level of where we have to play,” Flores said. “It’s fast touches, knowing what to do on the ball, not being greedy and being all together as a team.”
Flores is a also learning how to be a senior leader, and he’s doing it with empathy.
“Instead of just screaming at (teammates) in front of everyone, I pull them aside and say, ‘Hey, it would be better if you did this,’ because (yelling) just brings the team down,” Flores said.
“I’m creating opportunities to help him be the player and leader I know he can be,” Reynoso added. “He’s a great player, and I can see him bringing the team together a lot more.”
On the field, Flores wants to take players on with a more measured approach.
“Most of the time you don’t have time to do all the fancy skill moves, it’s more stop and go, change of pace,” he said.
Midfielder Angel Flores and center back Robert Smith are two experienced players that have also improved a lot over the last few years.
Freshman goalkeeper Ethan Tavarez is a tall welcomed addition to the Compton roster, while Jerry Mares and Angel Hernandez will be counted on to create scoring opportunities from their forward positions.
