Acton soccer phenom, 16, starting off on the right foot
Brandon Velez’s talent, maturity, and joy for soccer have fueled his rise through the youth ranks.
The New England Revolution Academy demands a lot.
In evaluating prospective players, its scouts look for the talent and potential to compete at soccer’s highest level and the maturity to handle challenges that many athletes don’t experience until they’re in the college or professional ranks.
Brandon Velez, a 16-year-old from Acton, had those qualities. He also had something else that made an impression.
“He played with a smile,” said Rob Becerra, who coaches Velez on the U-16 team and is the Revolution’s director of youth development. “Our scout said, ‘He’s just so happy out there.’”
Since the first time Velez kicked a soccer ball, that’s the way it’s been.
“The soccer environment and the kids who play it are so special to me,” Velez said. “Going to the field gives me so much pleasure.”
Velez is in his third year with the Revolution Academy. Twice he was called up to the U-16 U.S. national team, playing in Spain against teams from Spain, Sweden, and Qatar.
Early days
Velez is the third of four brothers. His oldest brother, Jamo, plays for Bentley University and was All-New England and the Dual County League MVP for Acton-Carlisle while playing for a state championship team.
After getting his start in the Acton-Carlisle Youth Soccer program, Velez moved on to play for club programs, first NEFC, then the Boston Bolts.
“I started playing seven-on-seven,” he said. “It was very enjoyable.”
Velez was playing for the Bolts when he received the opportunity to join the Revolution Academy.
“Brandon has super skills and is really athletic,” said Kieran Laverty, who coached Velez at NEFC and now coaches with the Boston Bolts. “It’s probably his high work rate and attitude that stood out to them.”
Velez recently finished 10th grade at the Center of Excellence in Lawrence, receiving a combination of online and in-person instruction. The daily routine starts with an on-field training session from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and a strength and conditioning session from 9:30 to 10:15. From 10:30 to 2:30 he’s in the classroom. There are also mandatory film sessions. Next year, Velez will continue his schooling at Patriot Place in Foxborough.
‘Iron sharpens iron’
In a 10-month season that aligns with the school year, Velez’s team plays about 40 games in two leagues, MLS Next and MLS Next Flex. In Flex, the team plays nearby clubs’ teams in the next-highest age group. (Revolution’s U-16 plays against U-17s, for example.) In the other league they play teams from other MLS teams’ academies, such as Philadelphia United, Red Bull (New York/New Jersey), Philadelphia United, LA Galaxy, and LAFC.
“We play against the best,” Velez said. “Iron sharpens iron.”
The academy model is similar to one that many European Clubs use.
“It’s a professional environment,” Becerra said, “but we want the players to have serious fun. There still has to be balance between soccer and life, family, faith.”
Velez is recovering from surgery on a torn meniscus in his knee. He expects to be ready to go by the end of July, when the Revolution begins practice for the next season.
“The first month was kind of tough, but it’s getting better and better,” he said.
Velez’s future beyond the Academy includes multiple possibilities: a pro pathway and the chance to play in college. According to Becerra, in the last four years, with one exception, every player who has been through the program has had one of those two opportunities.
Right now, Velez is open to either one.
“I want [to] push myself to higher levels,” he said. “I have several options. I look forward to seeing them.”
