It isn’t easy to have consistent success. The Burroughs High boys’ soccer team has been relatively strong for quite some time. Last season, a very young team finished second in league. That core group of sophomores are now juniors, leaving hope that they are a year away from hitting their peak. Burbank High showed some promise last season and is hoping to continue to improve upon last season’s improvement.
Burroughs
The Indians who went 15-9-1 last season, are built around junior playmaker Carlos Rosales. Rosales plays in front of the defense and is essentially the quarterback of the offense.
“Carlos is the engine of the team,” midfielder Sam Hawksworth said of Rosales.
He has solid support behind him with junior center back Carter Wells, who gives Burroughs a solid presence needed.
Senior Esteban Alcantar can be an attacking midfielder or he can play as a second striker. He has lots of talent and isn’t afraid to make an assist when needed.
Sophomore Manny Gonzalez had 16 goals as a freshman and is looking to improve on that total. He generally attacks from the wings, which helps open up the middle of the field.
In goal, Burroughs coach Mike Kodama will rely on the trio of seniors Edgar Rodriguez and Alfredo Tejeda as well as sophomore Jacob Cardenas.
Defensively, Wells will be joined by senior Luis Cortes in the middle. Senior Jonathan Mejia could see time at right back. Junior Manny Pascual and junior Elijah DuMonde also figure to see time in the wing back positions. Junior Abihud Munoz and freshman Wilson Harting should also see some time on the back line.
Junior Dylan Mahoney and Hawksworth, a senior, are expected to play alongside Rosales in a defensive midfield role. Senior Jose Luis Arroyo and sophomore Patrick Abarca will also see time in the midfield. Senior Matthew Cardenas gives the Indians some versatility as he can play a number of roles, either in the midfield or in the attack.
Junior David Gerlach returns for his third year on varsity and should occupy the wing on the opposite side of Gonzalez. Junior Matthew Rampaceck and sophomore Elias Galaviz offer support in the attack.
Burbank
The Bulldogs went 5-9-4 last season and are hoping to improve on that mark.
“We’re young and we’re going to get better,” Burbank coach Loi Pham said. “Most of my best players are underclassmen.”
Senior Christian Ramos returns in goal. Fellow senior Jean Diaz could also see time defending the Bulldogs’ net.
Defensively, Burbank has senior Ocelotl Tellez and junior Levon Sahakyan back in the wing positions. Junior Sebastian Causarano also returns and could see time in a center back role.
Also in the back the Bulldogs have seniors Michael Danielian, Jae Lee and Brendon Chow. Junior Kaiyne Nzenwa and freshman Tony Harutyunyan are others who figure to see time on defense.
In the midfield, senior Andy Cardenas leads the way. Sophomores Isaiah Marsh, Jack Taglang and Nick Diaz all played on varsity as freshmen. Fellow sophomore Andrei Rodriguez also figures to fight for playing time as well as senior Dara Ashrafi.
Up front the Bulldogs return junior Allen Arsenian. Also up front is senior Steven Tom. Freshmen Abraham Rivera and Freddy Cardenas give Burbank a pair that could have a bright future.
