Dream turned into reality a year ago when Jorge Flores won the first-ever Sueno MLS competition, landed a professional contract and played in a Major League Soccer match for Chivas USA.
Now, his path has led him to places he'd never dreamed of visiting in such a whirlwind manner. Since the start of the year, Flores captained the U.S. under-20 national team, earned playing time with Chivas USA and scored his first-ever goal for the Red-and-White.
Through it all, Flores has kept his feet firmly on the ground.
"The work and effort you put into training sessions, an opportunity as well as the support from the coaching staff," Flores said when asked what he attributed his success to. "They're the ones who you need to prove yourself to."
Flores might soon have another opportunity to prove his worth. With Chivas USA still licking its wounds from a recent array of injuries, Flores could play a role in Saturday's match in Colorado.
It might be difficult for Flores to repeat Saturday's performance, though. With D.C. United ahead 1-0, Flores came on as a substitute in the 67th minute for Ante Razov. He immediately added a spark on the left side as he slipped a ball to Francisco Mendoza, who fired a shot on goal from the left side of the penalty area.
After Jesse Marsch scored the equalizer, Flores made a run into the box and drew a defender towards him. Atiba Harris fed Sacha Kljestan who had an open strike at goal as Flores dragged the defender away and Chivas USA took the lead.
In the 82nd minute, though, it was Flores' turn for glory. Harris again sent the ball into the penalty area and Flores ripped a shot on goal. D.C. goalkeeper Zach Wells got a piece of the ball but could not stop it from rolling across the end line as Flores scored his first professional goal. Chivas USA won the match 3-1.
Though the league and the U.S. under-20 national team staff has seen flashes of Flores' potential, the 18-year-old's drive is nothing new to Chivas USA coaches.
"You can tell the kid is brave, the kid wants it," Chivas USA coach Preki said. "Ever since he came to us last year, I've always said that the kid has a good mentality."
What captivated scouts during Flores' Sueno MLS tryout were his soccer skills. Once he reached the further stages of the tournament and after being named the inaugural Sueno MLS winner, Flores' frame of mind continued to impress the staff.
"One of the big things Jorge has is that he has a very good mentality," Chivas USA director of football Dennis te Kloese said. "He is very determined to achieve something."
Flores has done well to succeed with both Chivas USA and the under-20 national team. With the former, he's a diligent worker in training and soaks up as much as he can to try and improve his game.
On the international level, Flores seemingly has a bright future. Already he has been to Argentina, Mexico, Portugal and England as part of the U.S. youth national team setup. He's donned the captain's armband and scored several goals, including one during a recent trip to England.
Just where he could end up, though, is uncertain.
"It's a little bit hard to project where his ultimate level will be because he's only been in a professional environment a little less than a year now," te Kloese said. "It's pretty impressive where he came from and where he is now but I think it's probably harder to stay where you are now then to get there."
Many young players strive to get the opportunities Flores has gotten and to reach the professional and international level. But getting there is not enough, te Kloese said.
"To stay on the level and to still improve on some things he needs to improve on, he has a pretty decent chance but it's tough," he said. "What has helped him a lot is his attitude and his mentality. I think our head coach appreciates that. Technically and tactically he's also improved a lot. He has an incredible drive and an incredible work ethic to get things done."
Flores is now a full-fledged professional player, unlike last year when he was still in high school and hoping that a scout would notice him. Starting the year off with the club has helped the transition.
"I feel more comfortable, more settled down," Flores said. "This year has started off better than last year."
As far as his teammates go, they see him as a peer now, albeit a young one.
"They still see as a kid, the squad's child, but I get along with everyone," Flores said.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
