Tuesday, September 09, 2008
For team sports, solid communication often breeds success, but for one soccer player at Hopkins County Central High School, any breakdowns come via the language barrier, not lack of talent or effort.
Carlos Diaz, an exchange student from Venezuela, brings more than 10 years of soccer experience to the Storm, so he knows his responsibilities on the field, but when it comes to giving and taking directions, his knowledge of the English language can make it difficult.
“It’s hard, but I always try to explain to my team,” Diaz said. “It’s really hard because I don’t have the vocabulary. I know the common stuff. Soccer has so many words, it’s so different, so I don’t know that stuff, but I try to do my best.”
Central co-coach David Starks said Diaz’s speaking and understanding abilities have been improving, but Starks joked about confusing Diaz at points with his southern dialect.
Diaz’s teammates have taken advantage of their growing level of communication by learning from the South American soccer veteran.
“The boy has been playing since he was four years old — we have kids that haven’t played four years, so I think he’s helped out the boys a lot,” Starks said. “They really listen to him and come to him with questions... He tries to teach them and you can see him try to take over in the game.”
During games, Diaz has already showed he possesses leadership qualities by providing in-game advice.
“On defense, I tell them we need to push or stay back and play with more pass and be quick in the field because we need to be quick to win the games,” he said.
Although the Storm have not secured a win yet this season, Diaz has scored two of the team’s three goals. Diaz scored both goals in the team’s 4-2 loss to Ft. Campbell on Aug. 28. His second goal against Ft. Campbell gave the team a 2-1 lead.
“He’s got an unbelievable shot,” Starks said. “I wouldn’t want to get in front of it, definitely not. He’s got a lot of power.”
Starks, who also teaches Diaz in his advanced physical education class, said Diaz makes wise decisions on when to attack the goal.
“What impresses me so much is that he knows when at a particular point in a game to play as hard as he can and when to kind of lay back,” Starks said. “He can conserve his energy and really hold it back and then play really hard when he needs to.”
Back home, Diaz said he plays midfielder, but he has assumed one of the forward positions for Central because of his strong leg.
In addition to the U.S. style of soccer, Diaz is adjusting to the American culture.
“The people are so friendly, but my city (Barquisimeto) in Venezuela is so big, it’s one million people, but it’s fun (here),” he said.
Helping Diaz adjust to the customs is Storm midfielder Cody Heady while Diaz stays at Heady’s grandmother’s house.
Diaz has adapted to the pop culture rather quickly, Heady said.
“He likes Lil’ Wayne and Ramen noodles,” he said.
Heady said Diaz has become quite popular at school, but when the pair are hanging out together they like to “play FIFA, watch soccer and kick around in the yard.”
Diaz has even taken a liking to American football and has begun practicing his kicking skills with Central’s football team. Diaz joins Wesley Ipock, also a Storm soccer forward, as the team’s kickers.
“It’s different because in Venezuela we don’t play football,” Diaz said. “Our football is soccer. I watched the game last Friday. I like the sport, but I don’t know so much about it. I watched sometimes with my dad because my dad likes it so much. I want to help my football team too.”
While Diaz tries to become an American two-sport athlete, his passion lies in soccer.
“I hope to score more goals and my partners also score,” he said. “If I have to play defense, I’ll play defense. I don’t care.”
Diaz and the Storm (0-5-0) will look to notch the team’s first win of the year tonight against Madisonville-North Hopkins (3-1-1).
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