By Kai Raymer (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
A young Central Bulldogs squad will look to show their capability and emerge as a team on the rise.
Head coach Nathan Cardoza, who enters his second season at the helm, is looking to instill confidence and pride within the program.
“I want to see these boys step up and go into every game thinking they can win,” he said. “No matter the outcome of the game or season, I want these boys to feel that they gave it their all and found success even when others may not have believed they could.”
Central’s offseason has Cardoza feeling optimistic for the fall. Several freshmen and sophomores will likely play significant minutes on the varsity level, offering hope for the present and future.
“After graduating most of our lineup, I wasn’t sure what we would look like for this year. I’ve been pleasantly surprised in the boys’ work ethic and abilities so far this year,” Cardoza said. “They want to win, they want to compete, and they are willing to put in the work to make it happen.
“We have the ability to possess the ball and have been working on building up from the back. I think will be better at creating scoring chances from a build-up, rather than a kick-and-run style.”
Central returns about seven players who saw regular varsity action a year ago.
Seniors Ryan Doel (center mid), Trevor Selley (goalkeeper) and Isaac Garcia (midfield) will provide production and leadership.
Doel brings a steady presence in the midfield. Garcia, who missed last season with a knee injury, gives Central speed and playmaking ability.
“Ryan has the ability to push the ball forward. His vision and positivity keeps the boys around him going,” Cardoza said. “Having Isaac back will be a huge plus for our offense. He has speed, he can score from distance and his work rate never drops. The other boys feed off his passion and he makes our whole team better.”
Selley has quickly adapted to his new sport. He had never played soccer until last season.
“He has grown so much that most people would have never guessed he was new,” Cardoza said. “He is strong in the air, not afraid to come off his line and has no problem committing his body to a save. He has the ability to keep us in games and we will need that this coming season.”
Central’s top two players might be in the junior class, where Jack Brinkman (all-conference) and Max Robertson (all-conference, all-region) return.
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Brinkman tallied seven goals and three assists as a defender last season. Cardoza described Brinkman as the “eyes and voice” of the team.
“He is the type of athlete every coach wants on their roster,” Cardoza said. “He has the ability to communicate and make decisions on the field that keep us in games. He is strong on the ball, makes the tackles in the middle that we need and has the ability to push forward and score.”
Robertson, who had five goals and six assists a year ago, will move into a defensive role.
“Max has worked hard this past year and has grown into quite the defender,” Cardoza said. “He has the strength to go head-to-head with anyone and works hard for his team. He will be an important part of our backline.”
Junior Kris Thawng will also switch positions as Central rebuilds its backline.
“Kris played as a wing for us last year, but this year has really developed his defensive game,” Cardoza said. “His speed and ability to win tackles has improved dramatically since last year and will be an important of filling the shoes of the seniors that graduated last year for our defense.”
Sophomore defender Calvin Torres is a returning starter at outside back. He’s capable of stopping threats or helping Central transition into offense.
“Calvin is smart deciding when he needs to make a tackle or hold up the offensive push,” Cardoza said. “He has great control over the ball and gives us the ability to play out of the back and build our attack.”
Central will be seeking its first winning season since 2019. The Bulldogs finished 8-17 overall last year, including a 5-5 mark in conference play.
Central was better than its final record may suggest. The Bulldogs suffered eight losses by a one-goal margin.
This year’s lineup will look much different.
Eight seniors are gone, including all-conference selections and varsity stalwarts Boston Hawkins and Julian Hom.
“They were the leaders of our team,” Cardoza said. “Not having them, along with other graduated players like Spencer Henderson and Zack Murry, means most of our backline will be different.”
Newcomers battling for varsity spots include sophomores Logan Canada (defender) and Tony Pham (forward).
“Logan was a swing player for us last year, mostly playing on JV but also getting valuable minutes on the varsity,” Cardoza said. “He has shown his worth over the summer and has a lot of potential to make the starting 11.”
Pham is still learning the sport but has upside and a good work ethic.
“Last year was Tony’s first year playing soccer,” Cardoza said. “He works hard and is coachable and puts the feedback he gets from his coaches and teammates into action. He had a productive summer creating scoring chances for us.”
Freshmen Gavin Lou (midfield), Owen Smith (midfield) and Luke Phelps (defender) will look to contribute right away.
“Gavin has ball control and speed of play that are above even some of the older boys on the team,” Cardoza said. “He works hard and has shown his ability to create movement and help support the team with moving forward.”
Smith is a wing player who has meshed well with his new teammates.
“Owen has made a very good impression,” Cardoza said. “He works hard, communicates well and is not afraid to go head-to-head even with the older boys.”
Phelps is a multi-sport athlete who will also be playing football for Central.
“He’ll be a benefit to our roster and will likely be getting minutes for both teams,” Cardoza said.
For Cardoza, a former assistant at Glendale, Year Two is already showing signs of progress.
“I’ve had the opportunity to get to know these athletes off of the field and feel that they now trust me more and are willing to give it all for their team,” Cardoza said. “We are trying to build a culture of never give up, work for each other and win together as a team.
“I have noticed a big difference in how the boys intact with each other at practice and in school and I feel that we are moving in a good direction as a team and program.”
Central will host a four-team jamboree on Aug. 18, scrimmaging Parkview, Republic and Ozark.
The Bulldogs begin the regular season Aug. 25 at Springfield Catholic. Central will play five road games before its home opener on Sept. 5 against Lebanon.
“There are teams that Central has never beat or have not won against in several years,” Cardoza said. “This group of seniors wants to be the ones who end that. They are motivated and I am excited to see what they can accomplish this year.”
