Since he was just four years old, senior Ethan Moon has been involved in all sorts of soccer activities, whether it’s going to practice or traveling all the way to California to compete against the top athletes in the United States.
“I think I’ve played soccer my whole life,” Ethan said. “I think [I’ve played] since I was four when I used to live in Alabama.”
After moving to Michigan from his home state of Alabama, Ethan started looking for soccer teams that would serve him for a long time. Before joining the team at Midwest United, Ethan was unaware of the countless memories he would gain from playing with the athletes as part of the group.
“During my [Midwest United] season, we always go to a tournament in Arizona or Florida,” Ethan said. “When we go to California, [the tournament] is like a showcase for colleges, and I always go with my best friend, and we get to share an Airbnb.”
Because Ethan has been playing soccer since he was four years old, he is naturally one of the better players on the field. Because of his talent and passion for soccer, he can participate in events like the MLS Next Fest and other advanced tournaments around the country.
“The trips that we go on are usually for showcases,” Ethan said. “You go there and get seen by college coaches to play in college, so the level there is really high. Usually everyone’s really serious about it.”
The tournaments that Ethan attends, like the MLS Next Fest, are beneficial to how the team works together by playing the best teams around the country. The tournaments also allow the team to grow closer together. By participating in a variety of activities, they can improve on the communal aspect of the sport as well.
“We like to go to different National Parks. One time we went to Palm Springs, and we played where Coachella is always located,” Ethan said. “We also went to Joshua Tree National Park, which is pretty close to Palm Springs, and in Arizona, we went to Hole in the Rock. It’s like a big mountain that we all hiked together. We all get to spend a lot of time together while we’re on the different trips, which is always fun.”
While on the different trips, Ethan got to talk to some of the college coaches who were observing the games, giving him a feel for what college life would be like if he were to continue soccer.
“A lot of coaches come to watch [the tournaments] we’ve gone to,” Ethan said. “And we get the opportunity to talk to them and to see what college life is like if you were to play soccer while also focusing on academics as well.”
Because of his early exposure to the soccer community, Ethan has naturally made some of his closest friends through the sport, with whom he also likes volunteering.
“I’ve met one of my best friends from soccer. He’s going to Michigan, so I’m thinking about going there too,” Ethan said. “I’ve done other things with the people I’ve met through soccer, like volunteering for things with my friends as well.”
Although soccer has been such an important part of Ethan’s life, in the end, he had to choose between soccer and academics.
“I think this is probably my last year [on a soccer team],” Ethan said. “I’ve talked to coaches a lot, but I think my academics were more important. I think I’d rather go to a better academic school than a school that focuses on sports, but I’m definitely going to miss it.”
But even though his final decision was to leave the sport behind and focus more on his academics rather than soccer, the sport will still leave important marks on his life that he will never forget.
“I’ve made a lot of different memories from the sport,” Ethan said. “Some of the best times I’ve had are when I’m with the soccer team.”
