San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
STEELE CANYON ASSEMBLES POWERHOUSE BOYS SOCCER TEAM
When Danny Medina checked into Steele Canyon High as a freshman, he met soccer coach Justin Johnson and realized his four years could be a wild ride.
Johnson felt the same vibration and, indeed, it has been a Mr. Toad’s special.
Medina was the captain of the JV team as a freshman where he came up to the varsity late in the season. A year later, he was part of the Cougars varsity that made the section Division IV final in the COVID season — only to lose, 1-0, to Olympian.
Moving up to Division III a year ago, the Cougars had a magical season, coming together at the end to win the section title, downing Hilltop 3-0, before sweeping the three Southern California championship games, topping Los Angeles King/drew, by connecting on all five penalty kicks.
So, with an abundance of returning veterans, not to mention a handful of Major League Soccer club players who decided it would be fun to play for their school before they graduated, Medina and Co. earned the No. 2 seed in this year’s Division II playoffs.
“Last year was a perfect storm,” said Johnson, who has guided the Cougars the past 10 years. “We had a strong defense and something else you need to win a Socal title — luck.
“Danny was a key member of that team as a co-captain. He’s a good leader, a real field general, and by now he knows what I’m thinking. Yes, there are times I’ll think about doing something and he already has the team doing it.
“He was in my freshman geography class and that gave us a chance to talk a lot. Even as a 13-year-old, he didn’t pull any punches. Not many players get it as freshmen, but he did, and I knew right then we’d be pretty good the next few years.”
Along the way, the Cougars have hit some milestones. The Socal title a year ago (there is no state championship because some Northern California sections don’t play in the winter due to inclement weather) running right into becoming the first team in school history to roll through the Grossmont Hills League undefeated this season as part of a 10-game winning streak heading into the playoffs.
Medina says as good as last year’s team was — going 20-4 and winning their final 10 straight games — this one is better.
“We had a great goalie (Alex Shields) and played great defense,” Medina said. “But our goalie this year, (Yoel Vazquez) is one of the best in the county. We have a lot of last year’s defense back, and this year, almost everyone can score a goal or play a different position.
“Getting Soloman Joel and Ali Al-maliki out from the club team has improved our offense. It took some time for us to get on the same page but now we are. I just don’t think if we are all focused and really ready to play, there is any team that can beat us.”
About last year. “Winning the Socal title was a big deal,” said Medina, who plays everywhere but most often as a center-midfielder where he can direct traffic. “We sat in a classroom before the season and that was our goal. After that (home) game, we were crying tears of happiness.
“Moving up every year has been challenging but that’s what makes it fun.”
Although he believes he has scored seven goals this season (he’s not keeping count), given his choice he’d rather assist a teammate.
As a captain, he often has to talk with his teammates, and one of the things he has learned is constructive criticism can accomplish a lot more than ranting.
“That’s Danny,” said Johnson of Medina, who wants to play at San Diego State, even if it means going to a community college or small college first. “He always has something positive to say, to calm down the team.
“He’s the kind of player you want taking your penalty kicks because he’s so calm, nothing bothers him. When you’re looking for a player to be the captain, you want him to bear the weight. He’s done that — he’s a complete leader who will play in college.”