GOAL-ORIENTED: Local plays soccer in England

SunRidge Middle School eighth-grader John Christian “JC” Lewis, 14, was one of the two Floridians who traveled to London to play in a friendly tournament as part of US Club Soccer from April 1 to 10. 

“It was really cool,” he said. “It really helped me grow because it was very different over there. The players are a lot stronger and bigger, and they’re better technically.” 

This was JC’s first season as part of the US Club Soccer team, which works to foster “the growth and development of soccer clubs throughout the United States to create the best possible development for players of all ages in every club,” according to its website.

The team, 14U, played against four different clubs in England — West Bromwich Albion, AFC Wimbledon, Oxford United and Leeds United — and won every match. Both his parents, John and Kimberly Lewis, were there to witness every victory while their son played as the striker for the team. 

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“He was one of the fastest (players),” John Lewis said. “He never was out of breath, never talked on the court … so that was impressive seeing.” 

SOCCER STAR

JC began to play soccer at age 5. Since then, the pitch has become his sanctuary. 

“Whenever I play, it’s my happy place,” he said. 

One of his favorite memories, which he shares with his father, is playing soccer when he was about 6 or 7 years old among older players. During the trip to England, JC also was one of the youngest players on the team. 

Prior to being scouted for the US Club Soccer, JC played in different teams — first at Rush Soccer then Florida Kraze Krush (where he still plays) and also at SunRidge Middle. Those experiences have helped him develop different areas of his playing style over the years.

“They reached out to the coach to get the background on (him) — not just his soccer skills but his all-around attitude and everything,” John Lewis said. “Then, obviously, the US Club Soccer has (its) own coaches there that are evaluating him and scouting him, they are the ones that do the picks for the round two and then round three.”

To become part of the team that would travel to England, all the players within the 14U category at the US Club Soccer had to go through three rounds of tryouts. 

“They had to scout you for it,” John Lewis said. “After the third tryout (in Tampa), they decided who they wanted on the national soccer team.” 

BIRTHDAY BOY

Both JC’s parents were able to travel to England to see him play. They were not traveling with him though, as he had to spent the majority of his time with the team. However, because JC’s 14th birthday fell on April 3, they had an opportunity to experience the tournament with him and celebrate his birthday too.

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“That exact day, they played Leeds Academy (and won 3-0),” his mother Kimberly Lewis said. “And he met … two professional American players (Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams, who play for Leeds United. Pretty awesome birthday.” 

Recently, JC also received an invitation to join the Orlando City Soccer Academy, an invite-only school where he could receive his high school studies while going through some intensive soccer training. However, he still has not made his mind on whether he would like to accept or attend West Orange High School next fall. 

“We’ve had some friends (whose) sons have gone through the academy, and one got a full ride to (the University of) Maryland — he went all the way through the academy and graduated with his high school (diploma),” John Lewis said. “Then, Maryland offered him a full ride. And then, there’s other players that go straight to signing a contract with Orlando City, and then they play on, they’ll start in Orlando City B, and then the goal is always to move up to the top-pro team.” 

Despite a huge emphasis on JC playing soccer, his parents still are looking forward to him getting a good education while staying focused in developing his soccer skills. 

“Our focus is education; he is very smart,” Kimberly Lewis said. “He’s in algebra this year and, next year, will be in ninth-grade geometry. However, if we can get a scholarship out of (soccer), that would be fantastic. John Christian is ready to go pro, even his coaches said that he has a great future, he just has to focus and not be distracted.”