Sports
On His Game: Evergreen Park's Esparza Pulls a Soccer Switcheroo
Along with fellow junior Omar Alvarez, Jeremy Esparza is leading the Evergreen Park boys soccer team as one of the Mustangs' captains. And he is sweeping up on the back line of defense.
Jeremy Esparza had been a midfielder his entire life, controlling play and helping run the team's offense. So, when Evergreen Park coach Jim Smith approached him about switching to defense this year, it was a little bit of a change.
"Jeremy has learned a new position this year," Smith said. "Now, he has stepped up to become a great sweeper."
Esparza has a handful of assists on the season, but stats aren't what define defenders. His willingness to switch from an attack-oriented midfield spot was one of the reasons Smith named him a captain, even as a junior.
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"He, like (Omar Alvarez), makes the players around him better, and communicates very effectively," Smith said.
