Sueno MLS 2008 features many different players and each has a story to tell. But for Donald and Justin Paz, brothers who hail from Chicago, they come to this year's event together and with the same goal: of living their dream and playing professional soccer in MLS.
Donald is a 16-year-old forward who currently plays for the Chicago Wind Soccer Club while older brother Justin is 19 and plays defense for his club team, Arellanos, in the Windy City. Both are excited about the opportunity to live their dream.
"Yes, I'm really excited," Donald Paz said. "I've been playing since I was six in Guatemala. I love the game and it means everything to me. My dream is to play professionally. That's all that I have ever wanted in life."
His older brother shares his vision.
"It (Sueno) means a lot to me because I have a dream of being a pro soccer player," Justin Paz said. "Why I wanted to become a pro is to help my family out with bills and other things. I want to help my mom with bills and help them build a new house. We live in an apartment and it's too small for us. I would be the happiest man on earth if I won."
While Donald still in school, Justin has been working since graduating from high school. However, he admits that work did get in the way of his dream and he quit for a time to focus on soccer but has since returned.
"I used to work at McDonald's but they wouldn't let me take Saturdays off because they needed me there," Donald Paz said. "So, I missed a few games because I had to work, so I quit. I had to make a commitment to my team and to this. I played all summer and we finished second in our league. I was happy about quitting because we got that far but I wasn't making any money or helping my family out, so I went back to work to help them out.
"I haven't been playing soccer as much but I have been helping them out because I'm almost 20 and have to be more responsible now. I love soccer but if I don't make it as a pro, then I won't have money. If I make the MLS Sueno, that's my dream: to play, have fun and help out my family."
It is more than coincidence that the brothers will be taking part together in Sueno MLS. The fact that both will be trying out just makes the experience that much more meaningful.
"It's going to be a really fun experience because he's taken me to all my games and practices," Donald Paz said of his brother. "He's practically been my dad and has always been there for me. I wouldn't be where I'm at right now without him."
Said Justin: "We're both going for a dream and are going to be competing against each other. If he wins, I'm going to be really happy and if I win, he's going to be really happy. I feel good and confident going there with him. Him being by my side, I feel good because I have supported him all these years and he has supported me all these years. It's good to know that somebody there is going to have my back."
Since they are Guatemalan, it's no surprise that both Paz players call current L.A. Galaxy striker Carlos Ruiz their favorite player.
"He's the best player from Guatemala and I'm a big fan of his," Donald Paz said. "He's a really good forward. When he played for the Galaxy before, I remember him scoring off bicycle kicks and playing really well. I think he did the best when he was in L.A. and now he's back there again. I really like him because he's from Guatemala."
Justin shares his brother's admiration for "El Pescadito".
"My dream is to make it (to MLS) and to get to play with one of my countrymen (Ruiz)," he said. "Now that he's gone to L.A., I'm sad but I still would love to play against him if I make it. When he came here (to Chicago) to play with Dallas, I couldn't come because I was working but wanted to go so bad. When they come this year with L.A., I will definitely go and see him play. I've been following him for a long time."
Since they hail from the Windy City, both Paz brothers are also huge fans of the Chicago Fire and of one player in particular, star striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco, whom they have both been following since his days with Mexican side Club America.
"We got to a lot of Fire games," Donald Paz said. "And he (Blanco) is why we go to games because we want to see him play. We were both big America fans before he came to Chicago and loved watching him play for them before he got here."
The older Paz also realizes that should he win the Dallas Sueno, he would have a chance to play with another ex-America star in center back Daulio Davino, whom FCD signed last month. "I would love to play with the new defender that FCD has (Daulio) Davino, who they got from America," Justin Paz said. "I've been following him for a while since they're my favorite team."
The two brothers share the same dream should one of them emerge as the winner.
"It would mean everything for me and my family," Justin Paz said. "More than anything, this is what I want. There isn't anything in life that I want more than to play professional soccer. I watched it (Sueno 2007) on Republica Deportiva. I have also watched (2007 winner Jorge) Flores' videos and think he's really good. I wanted to try out for it last year but it was too late."
His older brother also realizes what an incredible opportunity it will be.
"It's only one shot and I have to take it," Donald Paz said. "I've been playing for many years and for many teams. I have played with some great players and have accomplished a lot since I've been playing like championships and everything. My 12 years playing soccer have been good but it's time to take it up to the next level."
The Paz brothers, along with several friends from the area who are also competing in Sueno, plan to fly from Chicago to Dallas the day before the first tryout later this month.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
