Compton second-year coach Sammy Flores knows that his soccer program needs discipline and unity because he also played in the program.
“This year we’ve focused on getting everyone on the same page, and sharing the same mentality,” Flores said. “Now, we can do a lot more moving forward. The team is more disciplined, and we have more boys with the right attitude.”
This season will be a fresh start on the field with only two seniors on the roster, so juniors Kevin Guzman and Andrew Pocasangre will be in leadership roles.
“They were very important players for us last year,” Flores said. “They understand the direction that we are headed, which is more important to us than dribbling a ball like a street performer.”
Flores also said that junior Alex Lopez will be key to the Compton attack because of his natural instincts.
“I have always dreamt of going to CIF playoffs with Compton,” Flores said. “As a kid, and now as a coach. This team shares the same vision. The only way to get there is to go into every game looking to get points.”
Compton plans on starting its Frosh/Soph and Junior Varsity teams back up next year, so this year is important on and off the field.
“We need to have a strong identity by the end of the season that the school can be proud of,” Flores said. “If we can do that, then we will have successfully changed the culture for the better.”
