Williston’s Boys Soccer team may be young, but they are hungry.

In the past years, the Boys Varsity Soccer team has improved dramatically due to international recruits. Two years ago, they made it to the quarter finals, last year had a remarkable season and went undefeated until the final game. This year is expected to be similar, with a younger, although talented group.

As Nicolas Fonseca, a senior defender from Mexico City, said, Williston has helped him to improve both on and off the field.

“I believe that Williston made me a better player and not only that but also a better person due to the fact that everyone was so welcoming,” he said. “[Being on the team has] helped me get comfortable to a whole new country and it gave me confidence to play better.”

Nicolas believes the team’s chemistry is what makes it so special.

“Bonding was something that separated us from a lot of teams, from breakfast every morning, to training and walking together and even hanging out every weekend as a group,” he said. “It was a very strong bond that was easy to [see] while you saw us play. We all trusted in each other.”

Nicolas is confident the team can be successful again.

“l know that we brought good recruits so we should be fine even though it’s a smaller and younger group,” he said.

Austin Briggs, a three-year senior from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, said the diversity of the team has helped its success.

“The team, consisting of many international [students], has introduced different play styles which has improved my abilities a lot,” he said.

Austin has trust in the current squad, and he sees a lot of promise.

“If the team can construct the same chemistry not only on the field but off the field as last year, there is potential for the much younger team to be special, but we will only know … time will tell,” he said.

Daniel Argueta, a talented junior from Guatemala City, feels the coaching has had a big impact on his career.

“Williston soccer has helped develop me as a player and as a person because our coach makes our practices with the goal of becoming a better team and better people on and off the field,” he said.

Daniel has a great attitude about the new team, and the new challenges they will face.

“I believe we’ve become a great group that get along with each other,” he said. “We just must work in the field.”

As the most famous sport in the world, soccer is only going to continue rising, as seen in recent big name acquisitions by teams in Saudi Arabia and the United States. In these countries, they are paying well-known players, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Messi, and Benzema, extremely high salaries.

In July of 2023, Messi moved to Inter Miami and began making $54 million per year. Since he joined MLS (Major League Soccer) viewership has skyrocketed: MLS season pass subscribers on Apple TV have doubled since his arrival, netting Apple more than $250 million.