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1 of 75 Try Out Participants Chosen: Tony Lopez

From Sylmar, CA Tony Lopez commits to Cal United Strikers FC for 2020
Published Feb 25, 2020

Written by Carlos Funes

Anthony Lopez joins the “Home of the Dream” through Open Tryout

Back in December 2019, over 75 players showed up at the Orange County Great Park for a chance to earn a contract with the current NISA West Coast Champions, California United Strikers FC. The club – like so many others – held an open tryout to try and find a diamond in the rough. The club had no idea if they would find that player, but with the depth of talent in Southern California, they knew they were mining in the right spot.

  

The prospecting paid off and one special player emerged from the pack. After two days of competitive training, Southern California native and University of California Riverside product, Anthony Lopez made an impression and stood above the rest. California United Strikers FC Head Coach Don Ebert recognized Lopez’s hard work in motion during the tryout.

“Anthony was the surprise of the camp. From the first half-hour of the first day, he caught my eye. He is a very polished player - he fits right in, which is the hardest thing about adding players to a team,” said California United Strikers FC Head Coach Don Ebert.

“It was a good experience to show what you have to the coaches. Luckily, I was able to get an opportunity out of it. There were some pretty good guys there - a couple of guys I grew up playing with,” said Lopez. “It was a high-level trial and it feels amazing to know that I made it. All the hard work I’m putting in is coming to show at the end.”

Before Lopez became the shining success of the open tryout, he was plying his trade around the world. After two years with NCAA First Division side UC Riverside, he decided he wasn’t done with soccer and it was time to follow his dream. In 2018, Anthony ventured out from the U.S. and headed to Sao Paulo, Brazil to play with Rio Claro FC. From there, he continued on to Ventura County Fusion of USL League Two and then German club Rot-Weiss Walldorf.

 

Lopez’s story is similar to that of many other aspiring professional soccer players - from team to team in search of a home that will trust their talents. His travels have taken him around the world, with over 10 thousand miles of travel before the age of 21.

Now, his continued search for a club has brought him back to Southern California, to the “Home of the Dream”. With California United Strikers FC - Lopez and many other talented local players will be able to continue their dreams of playing professional soccer and developing in in their own backyard.

“The guys are great. The staff is great. The coach is great. They all welcomed me in, and I feel a part of the team already. They're straightforward in helping you earn a spot. It's up to you at the end of the day with how you perform because we are all given equal opportunities,” said Lopez. “They have been helping me out with anything I do - when I do something wrong, they tell me and help me correct it.”

Veteran defender Chris Klute knows the “Home of the Dream” well and has made it his home for the last four years. He fully understands that Lopez’s dream can be realized with the backing of seasoned teammates like himself.

“It's pretty exciting and cool how he was found and able to get here and show his worth to the club,” said Klute. “He has good talent, he has skill the way he attacks the goal, you can tell that he has an eye for the goal. For me, it's making sure he has confidence as an attacker. The one thing you do need is confidence, and as long as he has guys knowing that we're here backing him up, I think that confidence will take him a long way.”

Lopez, a Sylmar, California native is just 22 years old and still has a long way to go before reaching his prime. California United Strikers FC are looking forward to seeing the player’s continued development after reigniting his professional career. Thanks to Lopez’s great attitude and talent, his dream can be realized. His adaptability from years of travel has paid off and Coach Ebert recognizes how well he meshes with the club.

“Fit” is an aspect that Ebert seeks from his players and Lopez is suited for his spot. “Yes - they got to be good, yes - they got to meet minimums, but the most important thing is that they fit in and that you're not squeezing a square peg into a round hole. He fits in really well with what we do, he's unselfish, his movement is top notch, he plays well and combines well with others. He's got a great engine, and he's young. He clicks every box that we're looking for in a player,” said Ebert.

Feeling in shape with California United Strikers, Lopez is confident and ready to put his talent on display. The speedy winger may have traveled far with the beautiful game, but he’s home now, and ready to show the US what he and his new club can do.

“Feels good to know that I'm close to home and that my family gets to come out and watch me. I'm ready to show off to Southern California and to everyone in the US what we got.”