By Moses Leos III
From an early age, Kyle natives Fernando Mercado and Diego Garcia both held aspirations of playing professional soccer across the pond.
Through the help of club soccer in the United States, the duo is now taking its best chance at making it big in Europe.
Earlier this month, Garcia, a Lehman High senior, and Mercado, a Lehman graduate, were selected for a month trial by the Spanish team Real Valladolid, which plays in the Segunda Division, the second highest division to Liga BBVA in Spain.
The opportunity to play with a team that’s taken on FC Barcelona and superstar Leonel Messi was one they couldn’t let go.
“Playing European soccer in general is every kid’s dream,” Mercado said. “When they think of Europe, they think of the best teams in the world, the best players in the world. It’s amazing here.”
The road to Valladolid began in January when Garcia’s father got in touch with a friend who was a scout.
The scout, according to Garcia, was given videos of Garcia practicing and playing with his Academy League club soccer team.
“He saw it and he liked what he saw,” Garcia said.
Soon, the scout informed Garcia he had an invitation to play on a month trial for Valladolid in February
But issues obtaining his passport forced Garcia to place a delay on his dreams.
During the same time frame, Mercado was returning to the United States after playing for a Mexican professional soccer club.
After talking with Garcia, Mercado soon was reviewed by the scout. He also was given the invite to play abroad.
“They recommended him (Mercado) because they didn’t hesitate on asking to come over because of his experience playing professional soccer straight out of high school,” Garcia said.
Soon the two boarded a plane and joined the club at the team training facility. The eminence of the club, which until two years ago played at the highest level of Spanish soccer against FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, was a high point for Mercado.
“Hearing that name (Real Valladolid), I recognized that name … I played with this team on my FIFA video game,” Mercado said. “I was about to go to this team … Messi played against these guys.”
During their first week, Mercado and Garcia immersed themselves in the culture of Spanish football. That meant staying at the team facility, where they focus on soccer from the moment they wake up.
Mercado has joined the Real Villadoloid B team, while Garcia is a part of the club’s U-19 program.
But they also saw the difference between how European soccer is played and the American style.
While the Academy system is somewhat similar, both said the level of play is much more technical.
Garcia said European soccer focuses on ball control and how well a player handles the ball, while the U.S. game focuses on physicality.
They also saw how differently Europeans approach the game. Mercado said 14- and 15-year-olds play in Academy leagues and get paid for it.
“In the States, everyone is fast and strong. They can run all game, but not everyone can touch the ball like you see Real Madrid and Barcelona players do,” Garcia said. “You never see a 12-year-old move the ball like the pros.”
While players all have a passion for the beautful game, both said the fans are equally, if not more, passionate.
Whenever the two walk into a local cafe, they find televisions are tuned to soccer games that are played on a daily basis.
According to Mercado, scarves, banners, posters and lots of emotion are the norm when games are on.
Even at practices, the duo says fans are out singing during the entirety of the session.
“If the team is losing, they react as if they are players,” Mercado said. “They yell at the coaches and players and they think their opinions are going to change things.”
As members of the team on a month trial, Mercado said the club could sign them on after their trial ends, or could option them to another club.
“If we don’t make it here or they don’t sell us, we have other contacts,” Mercado said. “That’s a good thing about being here and having this month. Other contacts will help us. We’ll take advantage of this time.”
