“Baseball or Soccer?” That is the question that senior Isaiah Silva’s mother asked him when he was a young boy. He chose the obvious answer to him at the time: soccer.
“I have been playing soccer, pretty much my whole life,” Silva said.
He has stuck with that decision throughout elementary school, middle school, and high school. At CHS, he thrives as one of the CHS team captains of the Varsity Men’s Soccer Team where he plays left back as the last line of defense before the goalie.
One of the many kicks that Silva gets from playing soccer is the community of friends that he has made throughout his matches on the field.
“I love playing with my people, and that is what I love most about it,” Silva said.
Soccer is not just about the competition for Silva, it is about having fun and winning. Silva would like to bring his team to the league championships and take a pass at CIF this season.
Like many athletes, Silva has a pregame ritual. He gets a snack, listens to music, prays to God, and relaxes before each match. Silva’s passion extends beyond school; not only does he play on the CHS Varsity team, he plays club soccer as well. He is proud of his club team’s performance in many tournaments, often taking the victory. Silva talks about the importance of his club team and the consistency that it gives him as a player.
“It is always year round, so I feel like it keeps me in shape and lets me continue to improve until the next high school season,” Silva said. “I feel like it benefits me because it allows me to showcase my talents and get looks from colleges.” .
While Silva appreciates getting looks from colleges, he is still debating if he wants to keep playing beyond graduation. Off the turf, Silva goes to church, hangs out with his friends, works on the weekends, and watches soccer matches on TV. His favorite soccer player is the Brazilian forward Neymar. Silva looks up to Neymar for how he expresses himself on the field as a player. Silva would like to acknowledge his faith and his family for his successes.
“I would like to thank God too, ‘cause nothing would be possible without God for me, but also my parents who push me to be my best.” Silva said.
The moral of Silva’s soccer story is clear: the game is not solely about competition, making memories and forging connections with teammates is equally important, whether on or off the field.