Pumas BU19 boys David Vargas, Lalo Flores and Derek Marron with Coach Jesus Ramirez (in red)

Youth Soccer News: CV Pumas Premier FC Hosts Reality Show Tryouts

The field of dreams is the same in any language - the soccer pitch, where dreams can become a reality.

On Friday, August 26, Pumas Premier FC, in partnership with Nomads Chula Vista coach Eddie Fonbon, hosted the Mexico City-based reality TV show “El Campo de Sueños” (The Field of Dreams) for a special tryout session at Harvest Park in Chula Vista.

A pre-selected group of over 120 players from around the county competed for the opportunity to appear on the show and possibly earn a playing contract with a Mexican club. The show is financed in part by a Monterrey, Mexico, based bank, which also sponsors the Monterrey Rayados club. In Mexico it has not been unusual for as many as 400 players to show up for the tryouts in such cities as Cancun, Merida, Hermosillo, Monterrey and Chihuahua.

The host of the show, Jesus “Chucho” Ramirez, was involved in the pre-selections for the tryouts. Ramirez is a former UNAM Pumas player as well as the former coach of the FIFA U17 World Champion Mexico team and Club America.

“It was truly a delight to have a coach of his stature with us in Chula Vista,” said Chula Vista Pumas President Hugo Molina. “The kids were attentive to any instructions he gave, so as not to waste this once in a lifetime opportunity.”  Molina is a devoted to youth soccer and to helping players realize their dreams of playing soccer.

Players were pre-interviewed and videotaped, then given the chance to show what they could do on the pitch. The boys were grouped by ages, and some came from as far as Vista and Escondido for the opportunity of their careers.

Several players were selected to continue on to the next round, including Pumas Premier players Carlos Balanzar and Angel Loeza (BU11) and Antonio Aldama (BU19). Others area boys chosen were Stephen Jaramillo (Albion SC), Paul Arriola (Arsenal FC and U.S. U17 National Team) and Jimmy Estrada (Aztecs FC).

After the tryouts, Coach Ramirez spoke to the entire group, then individually with the selected players.

Afterwards, Pumas player Aldama said, "At first I didn’t really know what to expect, but they videotaped an interview with each player and then once the game started we just said ‘let’s go for it.’ After we played they called some of us over and did a post match interview. Then I knew it was for real."

“This is the first time we have been involved with this show,” said club president Molina. “We are always looking to work on projects that will give kids exposure that they want and hopefully allow them to follow their dream of playing soccer as a career.”

Time will tell whether any of these boys go on to stardom, but for now they each have had the chance to follow their dreams as far as they will lead.

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