As the American High boys’ soccer team tunes up for the playoffs during this week’s GMAC tournament, the Patriots face some stiff competition in the district playoffs.
American is the only Miami-Dade soccer team in its new district that has earned a berth in the postseason.
In fact, the Patriots (13-1-1) were on the brink of an undefeated regular season but Broward’s Northeast High spoiled their plans in the last game of the regular season.
The two teams most likely will face each other again, as American claimed the No. 1 seed in the district playoffs and Northeast High wrapped up the No. 2 seed.
Broward’s Pines Charter and South Broward are the No. 3 and No. 4 seed, respectively, in a tournament that could be won by either team because of their solid defenses.
“Deleze has been very consistent on our defense and shows he’s one of the best players in Miami-Dade and Broward counties,” said American’s head coach Richard Palaeaz. “And Lopez, at a young age, is very strong on defense, he hasn’t given up too many goals. He’s also one of the best in both counties.”
The Patriots have relied on senior forward and team captain Diego Arcon, who scored 16 goals and had 12 assists, during the regular season, mirroring his stellar performance in 2012, when American lost in the state championship game by one point.
Palaeaz, who led the Patriots to the 1999 state championship, said this year’s team has the depth needed to return to the state tournament.
“We have guys who come off the bench and be as productive as the starters,” he said. “Every year, we put ourselves in the hunt to give us an opportunity to make a run for the playoffs.”
Competing in a challenging district with teams from Miami-Dade and Broward counties has made American tough.
Posting an undefeated record until the last game of the regular season proves the Patriots can play with the best teams.
Palaeaz said the teams from the two counties are equally good and the playoff-bound squads could win it all.
“This is the toughest district we have played in years,” he said. “The teams are very competitive on the boys side.”