GILROY—Armando Padilla overlooked his team practicing and he shook his head, smiling at the thought of the upcoming season.
Gilroy is the defending Central Coast Section champion, tying 2-2 with Junipero Serra in last year’s final. It’s opponents—both in league and in the CCS—have placed a target on its back, but Padilla isn’t quite so quick to expect a repeat.
“Obviously our expectations are always high after having a successful season. We went to the CCS championship game and tied, but I think overall we were just successful in other ways,” the coach said. “We really played as a complete team and had a lot of chemistry, cohesiveness on the field. It takes three, four months of regular play to get to there, so hopefully we can repeat the magic again.”
In previous years, the Mustangs have avoided losing players to club teams. This year, they aren’t so lucky. Four of their eight returners have chosen that route and left a huge hole in the roster. Andres Jimenez, Gilroy’s leading scorer and candidate for CCS Player of the Year, as well as Jordan Juarez are off to the De Anza Force Academy. Alejandro Flores—last year’s second leading scorer—is off to the Juventus Academy, while freshman standout Marc Rivera will play for the Santa Cruz Breakers Academy.
“We lose four guys right off the bat. It’s not like your losing them to injury or school or anything like that, they’re just playing for their club,” Padilla said. “We went from having close to eight to having four (returners), which is a huge difference when you want to be competitive—especially in the league that we play in against Alisal, Watsonville and Alvarez.”
Rather than focus on what they’ve lost, the Mustangs are charging ahead. They will have senior leadership in the back from Sean Kaufman—who is coming off playing football and cross country—and David Solorzano.
Efren Pineda, who hasn’t played his sophomore year, has been putting in work in the offseason to be healthy for his senior year. Now that it’s almost here, he’s chomping at the bit to get it underway.
“I’m super excited to get back on the field,” Pineda said. “I haven’t really played at the best competitive level until high school season because my club team hasn’t been the best lately. I’m ready to get back in it.”
Sophomore midfielder Tony Barredas also rejoins the squad, adding speed and coming off a successful cross country season. Arnesto Cano, a junior MF, will also be back to strengthen the middle.
But with so few players back from last year’s squad, chemistry is proving hard to come—at least so far.
“Our weakness right now is just a lot of our players might not be mentally ready for high school soccer,” Solorzano said of the lack of cohesiveness. “It’s a lot of possession, quick drills and fast-paced game, so I don’t think they’re going to be expecting it. Once they get the feel for it, I think we’re going to be ready.”
The Mustangs have had no shortage of interest, drawing nearly 70 athletes to tryouts. Padilla had already made 15 cuts and was excited about the large turnout, but big numbers don’t always mean big talent.
“I was probably saying the same thing last year around this time,” Padilla said, half smiling. “Obviously with coaching and commitment and kids working hard, a lot of good things can happen.”
With so many new faces joining the squad, Padilla said he didn’t believe there was much, if any pressure to repeat as CCS champions. That being said, another section crown is the ultimate goal. While it’s a lofty one, the Mustangs are going to do their best to keep the title at Gilroy High.
“(We’re) going all out. It’s our senior year, so we’re just giving it all our effort. We’re going to play each game like it’s our last one,” Solorzano said. “I just hope we make it at least to the playoffs. I know we can do it; we’ve got to put in that effort.”
Gilroy’s long season begins at 5:45 p.m. Dec. 1 across town with the “El Classico” at Christopher. Since the Cougars’ first season in 2010, the Mustangs haven’t allowed them a goal and have increased the final by a score each year. They beat them 3-0 in the inaugural game, then 4-0 in 2011, 5-0 in 2012 and finally 6-0 last year.
But that’s just the preseason.
The Mustangs kick-off their league schedule with the Haybalers of San Benito at 5:45 p.m. Jan. 6 at home.
“So many kids I think come here and don’t realize their potential. It’s up to me and up to my coaches to tap into that potential, be the motivator, be the coach and ask them to do things that they’ve never done before,” Padilla said. “I want to really see if we can do something special together as a group. Those are my expectations, you know? Can we do something special as a group together with commitment, dedication and team work and really having that bond?”
Only time will tell.
