Ezequiel Pedraza had it all planned out. The 20-year-old midfielder from Orlando was going to fly into Texas on Friday to participate in Sueno MLS 2008, giving it his best shot to be one of 60 players invited back next week. However, on Thursday night, tragedy struck when his father lost his battle with cancer and passed away.
It was a big blow for Pedraza, whose father had played professionally in Argentina and in the USA for an indoor league -- and was a big reason why he started playing soccer in the first place. But on Monday, after taking an early morning flight from Florida, Pedraza arrived in Frisco about 10 a.m. and was set to take part in Sueno in the afternoon.
"I really didn't think I was going to be able to make it after what happened," Pedraza said. "After my dad passing away, I was so depressed that I really thought that all my dreams were going to be a waste because I had to help my family."
Pedraza credits his entire family for their support but singled out one person in particular for helping him keep his dream alive of playing professional soccer.
"A person who helped me a lot was my girlfriend," he said. "She sent an e-mail to MLS explaining what happened. She knew how much I love this game. It's what I do. I would do anything for this and now I'm here. My family helped me through a lot and they're who wanted me to come because they know I can prove myself and that I have a good chance of making it."
Born in Cordoba, Argentina, which also happens to be the birthplace of FC Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala, Pedraza came to the U.S. with his family when he was five. He played high school soccer in the Orlando area, first at Lyman H.S. before finishing at Winter Springs H.S.
During that time, he developed a close friendship with Dustin McCarty, the younger brother of FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty who is now a freshman at the University of Central Florida.
"I used to play as a center mid with him," Pedraza said. "We made it to the state finals one year but lost. We had a really good team. I would like to pop in and see Dax if I can."
Pedraza got a good look at the competition before his first game and was impressed. "From what I'm looking at, it is pretty good," he said. "I think I'm up there (alongside everyone else in terms of talent)."
He performed so well in his first game of the day that he was invited back to play in a second game later Monday afternoon, getting him closer to his goal of being in the final 60.
"It would mean a lot," Pedraza said. "I want to prove to my dad that I can to do it. This is all for him and my family. They (my family) want me to be here."
Performing well in Sueno would serve as the ultimate tribute to his late father.
"He was a big force in me playing soccer because he's the one who taught us (myself and my brothers) everything," Pedraza said. "It's mainly for him. I know that I got this second chance because of him. I know he's right next to me on every move that I make on the field. I know that for a fact. I've been playing as long as I can remember. He got us started by kicking the ball in the backyard with us when we were very young."
Besides the help he got from his girlfriend, Pedraza also got assistance from a number of people in Orlando to make it to Sueno.
"I wasn't expecting to come," he admitted. "Money-wise I was short but people from Florida helped me out a lot. People from there helped me out with my plane ticket and everything else. On my way over here, I shared a cab with someone who owns an IHOP franchise. He paid for my cab ride over here."
A lifelong fan of Argentinean side Boca Juniors and Diego Maradona, Pedraza has simple advice for anyone who faces a little adversity in their life.
"I want to tell kids to follow their dreams," he said. "Bad things can happen but they happen for a reason. I think my dad is sending me here for a reason."
Pedraza is definitely practicing what he's preaching at Sueno.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
