On a cold Saturday morning when the forecast even called for snow, more than 600 players gathered at the Schaumburg Olympic Park, some as early as 5 a.m., and waited for their chance to showcase their talent and hope it was enough to get a call asking them to come back.
Now in its third edition, Sueño MLS 2009 -- built by The Home Depot, has become the hope for thousands of young players around the country who dream of getting a chance to leave their neighborhood parks and practice the sport at a professional level, with a professional team.
With lack of sleep from hours of traveling for some and excitement for others reflected on their faces, they came from 24 states across the country accompanied by their parents, friends, coaches -- and even girlfriends, all who made the trip to support their loved ones.
Diversity set the tone with hopefuls from countries that included Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, Guinea and beyond. But with backgrounds as different as their playing styles, their love for the sport and youth were their biggest similarities.
As they waited in line to register and then for their chance to take the field, the players told their stories, some that went from humorous to inspiring.
Inspiring, for example, describes the story of 19-year-old Manuel Bello. The Colombian native explained how, after many sacrifices made by his family and with promises of a scholarship, he was brought to the U.S. by an Argentinean scout who then abandoned him and seven other young Colombians in Michigan.
"He brought us here, but after he was given money by one of the guys that came with us, he just disappeared, we never knew what happened with him," said Bello as he stood next to his coach, Guillermo Montiel, who drove him and another Colombian native, Sergio Lopez, from Grand Rapids, Mich.
Bello, who chuckles as he shares the story of how he got lost at the airport when he arrived in the U.S., admits he did not believe Montiel when he told him about the Sueno tryouts and that he had been placed on the waiting list already.
"We are grateful for this chance but to be honest, when the coach told us, I didn't believe him. It wasn't until we saw the form and the notice placing us on a waiting list that I said, 'OK, this is our chance and I will make the best of it.'
"It is the chance of a lifetime to make my dream come true."
While Bello was humble, hopeful and just happy to share his story, 21-year-old William Saquino was as confident as any player can be after scoring four goals.
"Maybe they talked to you about the four goals I just scored -- it was great," said Saquino, who along with his cousin drove to Chicago from Little Rock, Ark.
"I've been taught to always aim for the highest level and not settle for less," Saquino said, adding he enjoyed just being in front of the scouts. "I felt good and I'm confident but if I don't win, I hope at least my talent won't go unnoticed."
From the participants in Saturday's tryouts, the scouting team will come up with a final list of 24. Those 24 players will return Sunday morning to the Schaumburg Olympic Park for a full workout, training session and 90-minute game to determine the four finalists who will represent Chicago in the final stage of competition in Los Angeles.
For Paul Cadwell, director of youth development for the Chicago Fire and head of the scouting team, Sueño 2009 is as exciting for them as it is for the players.
"I have been very impressed with the level of talent displayed here today, especially by those whose ages range from 15 to 18 years old," said Cadwell. "It is great because Sueno provides us with the chance to see all the Hispanic players that we normally don't get to see."
Cadwell says that given the importance of the competition, dealing with the nervousness had to be a challenge of its own for the young players.
"They are excited and yes, they are nervous because they know that this is a good opportunity to show the scouts what they've got and they must do it in the 30-40 minutes given to play," he said.
Sunday might mark the end of a dream for 20 youngsters, but for four others, it will be a fresh start towards accomplishing the goal of a lifetime -- to be a professional soccer player.
Raquel Ortiz is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
