One role model those youths can look up to is Evan Mariano. As we told you earlier this week, he has been signed by the Houston Hurricanes FC, a club that plays in the National Premier Soccer League, which is the fourth tier league in the US.
Today, we met the national team player in Belmopan where he had just gotten his visa. He was elated and ready to go to Houston. He told us about his expectations:..
Evan Mariano
"I went into the embassy just yesterday and the guys that interviewed me say he knows me and so forth. If it was p to him to give the visa, he would give it right away and on my up to Belize City this morning I got the call saying to come for my visa. I feel overwhelm, I feel very happy to know that I am a Belizean and I am going outside of Belize to play ball and to represent my country to the fullest."
Jules Vasquez
"So you are traveling tomorrow?"
Evan Mariano
"Yes sir tomorrow."
Jules Vasquez
"Wow! it has to feel unreal Evan."
Evan Mariano
"Like just the other day I was working and this opportunity just came knocking at my door and I took it, not only for me, but for other Belizean players. There are 3-4 of us who are outside and this could help the national team big. Who knows, maybe after me somebody else is going and after that person somebody else is going and its better off for us Belizeans. I am not nervous, I am not afraid. I have what coach puts in my head 'Mariano, you got the talent to play the game, you can't be afraid of anybody and push all that you know and play the ball that you know. Push the ball and run the ball.' The coach always tells me and that is what I am going with."
Jules Vasquez
"Going into this what do you think is your greatest assets in terms of your skills or your natural ability?"
Evan Mariano
"My speed, my speed is my greatest asset and like likewise the coach told me from over there 'Mariano, you have a very well energy pack on you naturally and you have a very well energy booster and I want you to use it all in the game.' That is what the coach tell me and I tell me that I will use all my speed I could."
Mariano travels tomorrow.
Belize's star striker Dion McAuley currently plays for the Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League, which is a second tier league.
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