There is a new sense of enthusiasm surrounding Jordan High School’s soccer team. For the first time in recent years, the Red Jackets boys’ soccer team is being coached by a former soccer athlete. Nicholas Parra, who was a soccer athlete at Jordan and later at Northside High School, brings not only a fresh approach to the program, but also insight that comes from playing himself.
Parra’s coaching skills are enhanced by the pool of talent, experience, and solid work ethic exhibited by his current team. Two members, Waldo Edwards and Andres Espinoza, are providing some excitement all on their own.
Edwards, a junior, and Espinoza, a sophomore, are both in their second year at Jordan. Soccer is the only sport Edwards participates in at the high school, while Espinoza is also the kicker and punter for the Red Jackets football team.
The two young men actually met through the soccer programs of Red Star, officially known as Columbus Futbol Club Red Star. When Edwards came to Jordan last year as a sophomore, he recognized Espinoza in the hallway at school.
“I was standing right there (pointing to a spot) when I saw Andres for the first time,” Edwards said, smiling. “I didn’t know where I was going, and then I saw him.”
While Espinoza has lived in Columbus all of his life, Edwards has moved around a little bit. The son of military personnel, Edwards was 3 years old and living in Texas when his dad decided soccer would be a good sport for the youngster.
Like Edwards, soccer was introduced into Espinoza’s life by his own father. A native of Honduras, where soccer is a popular sport and pastime, Espinoza’s dad wanted his son to experience the game with the same passion.
“It really was kind of a backyard thing,” Espinoza said. “He wanted me to play soccer because he had played. I kind of learned it from him before I was ever on a team.”
Both young men play year-round soccer through the Red Star club. In the spring, they are also a dominant force for the Red Jackets. Edwards, 17, is a forward on the team, and Espinoza, 16, plays at striker and midfield. During their first four games this season, Espinoza scored 11 goals and four assists, while Edwards had eight goals and three assists.
Because of their experience and leadership on the field, the two athletes were named team captains this season. Early on, they set a goal of winning the region title. Their easy-going off-field personalities belie their intense competitive spirit displayed on the field. Sometimes that intensity results in demanding the best from each other.
“Yeah, we will get mad about something and yell at each other out there,” Edwards said. “I mean, we can get really into it, but it works to make us better.”
Espinoza adds that they are driven on the field to do their best, and sometimes that leads to confrontation.
“It really works to motivate us,” Espinoza said. “He makes me better, and I make him better. We work harder, and then it pays off. Afterwards, we leave it there.”
Parra finds that the dynamic that exists with their sense of competition benefits the team.
“The team’s intensity follows theirs,” Parra said. “They both are hungry to score and win, and when they are determined, nothing gets in their way. They are both leaders on the team because their intensity and determination is what drives the rest of the team to play at their level.”
While both young men are interested in pursuing soccer after high school, they aren’t definite about their plans. Edwards, at 5-foot-7 and 120 pounds, would like to attend college on an athletic scholarship, but he is open to the idea of going professional. Espinoza, at 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, feels pretty much the same way, but he has also has had a taste of how the sport is revered outside of the United States.
Last year, Espinoza was selected to spend one week in Spain, where he participated in a program that gave amateur athletes the chance to work with soccer professionals. A freshman at the time, Espinoza was able to have the experience due to his Red Star club participation.
“I saw some amazing talent,” Espinoza said. “It really motivated me to do better and gave me training about techniques, what to eat, and other things. I even got to meet a professional soccer player.”
Parra has no doubt the two athletes could have a future in the playing the sport.
“They both have the attributes that college coaches want: speed, power, great touch with both feet, and technical ability,” Parra said. “Typically, high school players have a lot of speed and are lacking in technical skills, but both of them can match their technical skills with their speed, which makes them great offensive weapons. They are both coachable, meaning that they will take what you say and apply it. They are definitely talented enough to play on the collegiate level.”
For this season, Edwards and Espinoza have been committed to gaining respect for the Red Jackets’ soccer program by being successful on the field. They know opponents sometimes think of the team as an easy win, but according to them, that’s a mistake.
“We kind of surprise some people out there now,” Edwards said with a laugh.
Sidebar:
“Waldo is probably the fastest player in Columbus with great technical ability. There are plenty of fast players, but most of them are lacking in technical skill and ability. His speed breaks down and wears out the opposing team’s defense, allowing our team more opportunities later in the game. Waldo is one of the most humble players on the team and is more concerned about the team’s success than his own.
Andres is fast and aggressive at attacking the goal. He has a goal scorer mentality and knows how to find the goal using his technical ability and touch. He has a great first touch and can finish using both his left and right foot. Andres has the strongest leg on the team and is dangerous on free kicks.”—Coach Nicholas Parra
Columbus Valley/May 2016
Waldo Edwards and Andres Espinoza
Jordan Vocational High School
Columbus, Georgia
Jordan Soccer Athletes Make Region Title Season Goal
By Beth Welch
Photos by Jerry Christenson
