Jeremy Izad is off to a flying start in this summer's Super Youth soccer season.
The 14-year-old West Sechelt youth is showing great promise with this year's U15 Super Y League Vancouver Whitecaps squad.Jeremy has two goals and two assists for the talented team so far in eight games.
After dropping its opener 2-0 on the road against Portland on May 8, the U15 squad has reeled off seven straight wins. The Whitecaps sit with a record of 7-1 and lead the division with 21 points. Abbotsford is second with 15 points followed by FC United Premier, based out of Tacoma, in third place with 12 points.
The Whitecaps have six games remaining with four at home, including a big weekend double header on July 17 against Seattle and July 18 against Snohomish. The Caps host Portland on July 24 and the Cascade Surge on July 25 then hit the road for games against United and Abbotsford on July 31 and Aug. 1.
Jeremy said he's having a blast playing with the team.
"It's been a great experience - I'm having a lot of fun," he said. "We've played well so far, and we're looking good to finish first, but we still have a lot of work to do."
If the squad can hold on to first place, they would qualify for the Super Y finals in Florida.
"All of the road trips have been a lot of fun, but getting a chance to go to Florida would be something else," he said.
The Super Y League is part of the United Soccer League (USL). This North American organization is the same league that the Whitecaps men (A-League) and women (W-League) play in. The Y League provides a professional environment for top youth players to train and compete in league competition on a weekly basis. The teams play in the Northwest division and travel to play teams including Seattle, Portland, Abbotsford and Spokane. The Northwest season runs mid-May to August.
"The team was unlucky to go up against a more experienced Portland squad in their first game," said Jeremy's mom Julie. "The team has jelled and grown so much and it's so exciting to watch. The passion that these kids show when they play and the pure joy of playing soccer is really something to see. It's been a big commitment for Jeremy to travel and play, but he's pulled it off."
