ICFC

🌟 Player Spotlight: Santiago Medina 🌟

Dedication, discipline, and perseverance are the words that best describe Santi.

Santi has been with us for about three years, and his journey has been incredible to watch. When he first joined ICFC, he knew nothing about soccer. He was extremely shy, but one thing stood out immediately, his willingness to learn. Every practice, every drill, and every challenge was an opportunity for him to improve.

As he developed, we gave him the opportunity to play several different positions. But when we moved him to defense, something clicked. We found a spark. His confidence grew, and he quickly became a reliable defender who doesn’t just clear the ball away, he looks to build from the back, staying composed and making smart decisions in possession. His first touch and technical ability have improved tremendously over the years.

Today, Santi is training with our older players, and he’s earned the confidence and ability to practice right alongside them. While he may still be quiet off the field, once the game starts, he becomes a completely different player, a true menace for the opposition.

One thing we admire most about Santi is his work ethic. He never looks for shortcuts. Every drill, every sprint, every exercise is done with maximum effort and dedication. He understands that success comes from hard work, and he proves it every single day.

We are incredibly proud of the player and young man you are becoming. Keep working hard, Santi, your future is bright! 💙⚽

Meet Coach Alex!

Every great team has someone who quietly holds everything together. For ICFC, that person is Coach Alex, the backbone, the muscle, and one of the biggest reasons our academy continues to grow.

Coach Alex has been with us since our very first practice. Although he started with no coaching experience and was shy about leading kids, he has grown into an incredible coach. As a former semi-professional player in El Salvador and Fort Worth, he brings a high level of knowledge and experience to every training session, teaching our players advanced technical skills while helping them understand the game at a deeper level.

Coach Alex is known for being very strict, and that’s one of the reasons our players continue to grow. He holds every child to a high standard, teaches accountability, and expects them to give their best every time they step on the field. But behind that discipline is a coach who genuinely cares. Over the years, he has built an incredibly strong bond with the kids. They know he pushes them because he believes in them, and they respect him for always wanting the best for each one of them. His balance of toughness and genuine care has earned the trust and admiration of both our players and their families.

His coaching style challenges players to push beyond their limits while always making them feel supported. He has a unique ability to break down difficult techniques into simple lessons, helping every player improve no matter their skill level.

But what truly makes Coach Alex special isn’t just his soccer knowledge, it’s his character. He leads by example through his confidence, patience, discipline, and dedication. He celebrates every player’s success, encourages them through their struggles, and reminds them that hard work always pays off.

Behind the scenes, Coach Alex is always willing to go above and beyond for the academy. Whether it’s building equipment from scratch, doing private lessons, offering words of encouragement and even playing on teams so we can have sponsorships for those kids that need it, he never hesitates to put the kids first.

Thank you Coach for being the backbone and strength of ICFC💙

Spotlight on Ayden ⭐

Ayden is one of those players who always shows up with a smile on his face and excitement to be at practice. Whether we’re working on drills or playing games, he is always ready to learn, compete, and have fun.

What we love most about Ayden is the person he is. He is one of the most respectful, kind, and encouraging kids on our team. He is always cheering on his teammates, helping them stay positive, and pushing them to be their best. Those qualities are just as important as anything he does on the field.

I’ve had the privilege of coaching Ayden for the past two years, and it has been amazing to watch his growth. He has developed into a strong and reliable Center Defender who isn’t afraid to step up when his team needs him. His speed allows him to play in the midfield as well, making him a versatile player. He also has a powerful shot and is trusted to take many of our free kicks.

Ayden is the definition of hard work, humility, and teamwork. We are incredibly proud of the player and young man he is becoming. We can’t wait to continue watching him grow and succeed both on and off the field.

Keep working hard, Ayden. Your future is bright! ⚽💙

Spotlight on Erik Avila

Erik plays Center Mid, he may be a quiet and shy kid off the field, but once he steps onto the field, he plays with incredible intensity, confidence, and quality. He has a game vision far beyond his age and understands the flow of the game extremely well. One of the things that stands out most about Erik is his ability to listen, learn, and apply coaching with maturity.

What makes Erik even more special is his humility. No matter how talented he is, he remains respectful, coachable, and eager to improve every day. His attitude, work ethic, and love for learning will continue to take him far.

We are very proud of your growth and can’t wait to see all the great things ahead for you, Erik!

Spotlight on Javier Caldera!

Javi has been with us for a year now! He also came in knowing nothing about soccer, but right away I noticed his fast instincts and decided to try him out as a goalie. He quickly stepped into his role and has done an amazing job!

He is definitely one of the best last men on the field. Lately, we’ve also been trying him out in different field positions so he can become familiar with every role, and he never disappoints. He is always eager to learn, and we are so proud of his development and dedication!

One of the things we love most about Javi is how kind and respectful he is. He is very coachable, a true team player, and always uses his voice to communicate and encourage his teammates on the field.

Keep up the great work, Javi! We’re excited to continue watching you grow! 💙

Spotlight on Alexander Uribe

Speed, determination, and heart, that’s Alexander. He never gives up, fights for every ball, and proves that even though he’s little, he’s mighty. Soccer is his safe place, the place where he lets out everything he’s feeling and turns it into passion on the field.

Alex came to us knowing nothing about soccer. He started in the 2016 B team, and within just one year, his growth and dedication earned him a move up to play with the 2015/2014 age groups. His progress has been incredible to watch.

He shows up to every practice ready to work, learn, and improve. Whether he’s playing defense or stepping up as a striker, he gives everything he has and has helped turn games around for us countless times.

Alexander has already earned awards like Best Defense and MVP, and this is only the beginning for him. Watching his confidence and development grow has been amazing, and I’m so excited to see where soccer takes him. it’s been an honor to coach you!

Spotlight on Bella Rico✨

“Belita,” as we like to call her, has been with me for 4 years now! From elementary to middle school, I have witness her growth. She’s the type of player who can confidently go up against any boy on the field without hesitation. Over the years, her skills and ball control have improved tremendously, and she continues to grow every season.

Bella always gives 100% on the field and plays with absolutely no fear. She has one of the strongest shots on the team, great vision of the game, and never backs down from a 50/50 ball. Her confidence, determination, and passion for the game make her such a special player to coach.

One of the things we love most about Bella is how respectful and humble she is. She’s always eager to learn, improve, and push herself to be better. She is truly one of those players that makes you excited to see where soccer will take her in the future. ⚽💙

Thank you, you have always proudly represented ICFC 🙏🏻

Long over do!!
Spotlight on Junior Emilio Arredondo!

“Discipline, humility, dedication, and sportsmanship, this is what describes Junior. A very technical player who never fusses and is always eager to learn and improve. His attitude, and love for the game continue to set him apart every step of the way.” - Coach Alex

“Disciplina, humildad, dedicación y deportividad: eso es lo que describe a Junior. Un jugador muy técnico que nunca se queja y siempre está dispuesto a aprender y mejorar. Su actitud y amor por el fútbol continúan distinguiéndolo en cada paso de su camino”- Coach Alex

Spotlight on: Astrid Gamboa

Fierce, fearless, and always ready for the challenge. She is not scared of anything and will knock down anything that comes her way.

A true brick wall in defense, she brings dedication, strength, and heart every time she steps on the field. She is always willing to learn, grow, and give her best for her team.

Can’t wait to see your growth! Thank you for representing ICFC