Freshman Soccer Player Edward Venta has a sports career in the making that has landed him a position on TJ’s Varsity Soccer Squad.
Photo by Mateo Rocha
If all goes well, young and fit Edward Venta Yepes is on the road to becoming a renowned soccer player on a national or even an international level.
“Ever since I was little I can remember playing soccer,” said Venta. “My brother was probably the biggest asset for me to start playing; he has always pushed me to be the best I could.” Venta’s older brother, Fernando Venta Yepes, is an ex-professional soccer player for Deportivo Independiente Medellín (Colombian Soccer team) and Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rican team).
As the leading goal scorer at TJ, currently with nine goals, Venta is already making a name for himself in the soccer world. “Every time I’m on the field playing I just want to do as best I can. I want to help the team move forward and win, so I do what I can to help that goal,” said Venta. Freshman candidates are rarely chosen to fill the starting position (start games on kick-off) on the Varsity level for high school. This is a great feat for young Venta.
In June of 2011 Venta began training with the Colorado Academy team, Real, in hopes to pursue his soccer career. “The Academy has some of the best players I’ve ever played with. They are older, faster, and stronger than I am, so I have to work a lot harder on the field just to keep up with them,” said Venta, who says his ultimate goal with Real is to earn his position through hard work and become a starter. “All I want to do is start; that would be an accomplishment for me,” said Venta.
Along with aiming for success at the Academy, Venta has high hopes for his soccer career to flourish. National soccer team coaches typically attend Academy matches to observe the players; possible recruitment drives Venta to train harder and prepare for the upcoming games.
Venta was born in Medellín, Colombia on January 17th, 1997. At the age of four Venta and his family moved to Costa Rica because of his father’s job obligations. Venta played recreational soccer in Costa Rica, just like any other young kid in Costa Rica. “It was more for fun than serious soccer playing,” mentioned Venta.
On September 29th, 2003, Venta and his family moved to Colorado Springs due to Venta’s father’s job obligations. However, this
Photo by Mateo Rocha
move proved to be more than beneficial to Venta’s soccer career. “Here is where I really found my love for soccer. I think that once I joined the club team, Pride, my soccer career really started,” said Venta.
In 2009, Venta’s Pride team won the state championship in Colorado. Venta scored eight out of the ten goals in the entire tournament, assisted the two goals that were not his, scored the goal in the championship game which was tied 1-1, and scored the penalty kick in the penalty shootout that followed the tie. This performance made Venta, indubitably, the MVP for the season and championship in 2009.
In August of 2011 Venta and his older brother moved to Denver in order to be closer to the soccer clubs and recruits for Venta’s future soccer career. The talent Venta wields and the strong, unconditional support from his brother make for a good mixture of success in Venta’s soccer career.
“Living with my brother has mainly been good. There is a significant rivalry between us, but that’s just because we’re brothers,” said Venta. “He pushes a lot for my success. Since he has played pro soccer he has a good idea of how competitive and tough it can get to earn a spot on a good team. He knows that if I don’t play my best and hardest I will get cut from the academy team. If I get cut I’ll have to move back home to Colorado Springs, but I need to be in Denver if I want to be playing soccer at the level I want,” said Venta. “My brother thinks that eventually I’ll become a better player than he ever was, but that’s
Photo by Mateo Rocha
only if I truly focus in my career.”
Dedication and love has made Venta an exceptional player on the field. “I want to become a professional soccer player not only because I love the sport, but to help my parents financially. They’ve worked hard for me so I want to give back to them,” said Venta.
As an athlete one must have the ability to self-evaluate one’s performance. Venta is no exception to this notion, and realizes his strengths and weaknesses. “I am very driven to make a play happen. I am a goal scorer; if you pass me a ball for a breakaway, I will finish with a goal,” said Venta. “I could always improve on defending. I tend to only play defensively when I am compelled to, instead of dropping back in defensive shape and actively closing down attacking players.”
Head Varsity Soccer Coach and TJ Teacher, Jonathan Poole, is excited to have Venta on the TJ team, even if it is only for this year. “Edward’s Academy team requires him to play and train with them year round, so this may be the only year he will be playing with us. Regardless, I am very excited to have his talent on the squad this year,” said Poole.
Venta’s contribution to the team has had a positive impact on his teammates. “Without him I’m not sure how well we would’ve done this season; he puts a lot of energy out on the field and it really pumps up the team. Seeing a little guy like him playing his heart out is inspiring. He has great energy and has given a lot to the team apart from wins. He keeps the intensity. Seeing him play hard makes me want to play even harder. It’s just been great having him on the team,” said TJ Senior and Outside Midfielder, Ahmed Adam.
As a freshman at TJ, Venta has many plans for the years to come in high school. “I love TJ, the sports, the events, the people and the teachers; it’s all-great,” said Venta. “Being a Spartan makes me proud. TJ has a lot to offer, and hopefully, as planned, I will be staying here throughout my high school career, unless my soccer career obligates me to travel.”
