My name is Donovan Diaz, and I am 14 years old.  I have been playing soccer since I was 5 years old, and I started playing soccer because my Papa Pokey thought it was a good way to keep me busy.  I thought it was really fun!

When I played soccer on Guam, I played for the Sidekicks, and when I was 7 I got my first trophy!  I am now playing soccer with FC San Diego.  My team took 2nd place in the President's Cup earlier this year, and I've collected many pins from the different tournaments that I've played in.

I love playing soccer because I like working with my teammates and it is a fun way to exercise and get my energy out.  I also like the feeling you get when you score a goal and the feeling you get when you win a game.  I like watching soccer with I’m not playing soccer, and my four favorite teams are: Real Madrid, Chelsea , Manchester United and Los Angeles Galaxy.  I like watching the skill and technique they use, and then I try to practice and learn them.  I like anything that has to do with soccer, even if it is a video game, a movie, playing or watching a soccer game – I like them all!  I plan to try and make it to the pros in my future with soccer.

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Thank you for taking the time to visit our page!  Throughout the years, I’ve watched Donovan play soccer.  I’ve watched him interact with his teammates and support his teammates whether they were winning the game or not.  I’ve watched my little boy on the field kicking a ball grow into my little man out there competing and growing lasting friendships along the way.  It has been such a rewarding experience for me to watch my son become the person he is today so just imagine how I felt when I checked the mail a couple of months ago and opened a letter from the People to People organization inviting Donovan to compete in a tournament in Vienna, Austria!  I was so overwhelmed with emotion that at first I didn’t believe it.  I immediately scheduled an orientation so that I could get more information on the program to find out what it was really all about, and Donovan and I attended that orientation in October.  This program is a truly amazing program.  They find kids from all over the world and bring them together for a tournament.  They will have the opportunity to not only compete in this soccer tournament, but they will have the opportunity to travel and experience and learn about different cultures.  This will no doubt be a memorable experience for him, and I look forward to this opportunity he has! 

Financially, things have been tough, but he loves soccer so I have done whatever I need to do to make sure that he is able to continue playing.  He is currently a member on Coach Costes' team with FC San Diego and is also a member of the Del Norte High School JV soccer team.  His schedule keeps him (and me!) very busy, but this is just the beginning for him!  

Once again, we thank you for taking the time out to visit our page!