Soccer notebook: Rockland’s Faria on record-setting pace

The usual stroll to the soccer field is often a relief for João Faria. As cars whistle by along Union Street, the Rockland junior typically takes a brief walk around the corner to Reed Street Field, where his fellow teammates occasionally wait.

For some, the game of soccer is a hobby. As for Faria? He is driven to be one of the greatest players New England has ever seen, and you could argue that he is well on his way.

“When I was three years old, my dad bought me a soccer ball,” said Faria. “I started playing, and I just kept going. When he gave me that present, I fell in love with it.”

What started off as a simple gift became a way of life.

Shortly thereafter, Faria began to follow in the footsteps of his father, Joao Lopes Faria, who happened to be an avid soccer player himself. In fifth grade, Joao and his mother Eleonice Paula emigrated from Brazil to Rockland, looking for a fresh start. It didn’t exactly take too long for people to notice that he had special talents.

Dan Kimball was first getting used to life as a varsity soccer coach at Rockland in 2016, and found himself looking for a coach in the junior varsity ranks. He reached out to Matt Vincenzi, a close friend of his in the Rockland public school system. Vincenzi took on the role, and began scouting the area.

A few years have passed since. Vincenzi might be the varsity basketball coach at Pembroke High School now, but Kimball can still vividly remember the moment his colleague put Faria on his radar.

“When João got to the elementary school in fifth grade, Matt, not even being a soccer guy, looked at João and was like: ‘This kid is going to be phenomenal for you one day.’” said Kimball. “‘This kid is going to be out of this world.’ He was right.”

Faria played a critical role in guiding Rockland to an appearance in the Div. 4 final four last year. He came tantalizingly close to shattering Rockland’s single-season goal record with 29 as a sophomore. In just a handful of games this season, the junior has already registered 12 goals and six assists.

During a victory against Cardinal Spellman on Sept. 8, Faria sniped five goals.

He wasn’t done there. Faria registered a hat trick just six days later during a crucial win over South Shore League rival Hull. The junior has single-handedly put Rockland’s soccer program right back into contention.

Like Faria, soccer runs in Kimball’s blood. His brother Joe actually set the single-season scoring record at Rockland a few years back.

Yet, when asked where Faria ranks on the list of players he has coached or witnessed within the program, Kimball didn’t hesitate.

“The best,” said Kimball. “Not even close. Though I’m a bit biased, my brother was the second. He currently holds the single-scoring record for Rockland. He broke the record that was held in 1985, 30 goals in a season. That was one of João’s reasons for why he was coming back.”

For Faria, it’s not so much a question of if he will play soccer at the next level, so much as where. In 2019, the New England Revolution reached out to see if he’d be interested in joining their academy, a pipeline to Major League Soccer. He turned down the offer due to personal reasons, but the offers kept coming.

“I definitely think that anyone can go pro if they have the right mindset and dedication,” said Faria. “I know it’s not easy. It’s easier to say than to actually do, but if you have the right mindset, you work hard enough and are talented, I think anyone can do it. Hopefully, I can fulfill my dream of becoming a professional soccer player. I’m very excited to see that happen.”

In recent years, Faria has received interest from the Boston Bolts and their academy. He continues to weigh his options.

However, the junior remained committed to Rockland for one final run, determined to finish what he started.

“I think the main reason I stayed is because high school is a once in a lifetime thing,” Faria said. “It’s never going to happen again, and I want to enjoy it as much as possible. But the second reason is because I want to beat (Kimball’s) record.”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2s3Qgde