WCAC

by Chris Wangler

February 21, 2023

A McDevitt 8th grader is rising fast through the U.S. youth soccer ranks, striving to compete on not one but two under-15 national teams.

Back in September, Waltham Youth Soccer product Brian Brooks, 14, earned a coveted spot in the New England Revolution Academy. 

 

That opened doors to U15 U.S. National Team tryouts. As the attacking midfielder prepares for his third tryout in April, he’s poised to make the national team.

Incredibly enough, Brian has already qualified for the Guatemala U15 team, and could play for either Guatemala or the U.S. until he becomes 21. 

 

“It’s pretty phenomenal, it’s fantastic,” said Richard Brown [in red shirt] of Waltham Youth Soccer (WYS), who coached Brian since the third grade. 

Brian started with WYS at 5½, becoming a star in a golden generation of Waltham players. “They have won basically everything within the league they play in,” his coach said.

Brian’s talent was evident early on, but there was also a lot of dedication from his dad Rafa, a former second division player in his native Guatemala.

Rafa beams with pride at the prospect of his son playing internationally in Colombia and Spain if he makes the U.S. U15 Team. 

He said Brian dreams one day to play for his beloved Barcelona, the legendary club where young American international Sergiño Dest debuted in 2019.

 

For now, he’s competing with top youth from across the Northeast and beyond at the Revs Academy.

Courtesy photos