The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Netto contributes off pitch while unable to on it
Lorenzo Netto has just about everything for which he aspired growing up in Brazil.
A chance to be a foreignexchange student in the United States. A tight-knit school community at Lake Catholic during his senior year. A Cougars’ warmup shirt, and the license to give motivational talks to his side.
Unfortunately, the one thing Netto does not have is the chance to play.
“I’m so mad, because I can help the team,” Netto said. “When the team lost, I can make a difference. I can help this team.
“Every night, before I’m sleeping, I go to my bed and say, ‘Why can’t I play? Why is this happening?’ I don’t know. I’m so mad.”
Even so, however, to his credit he is still contributing in every way he can.
Netto cannot play for Lake because he is in the United States on an F-1 visa. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, “The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school or other academic institution or in a language training program.”
For foreign exchange students, though, the Ohio High School Athletic Association requires a J-1 visa. “No other visa type, passport or other documentation shall qualify the student for eligibility under this exception,” the OHSAA states in bylaw 4-8-1, exception 2.
According to the State Department, around 300,000 visitors from more than 200 countries use the J-1 program “to experience U.S. society and culture and engage with Americans.
“The primary goals of the Exchange Visitor Program are to allow participants the opportunity to engage broadly with Americans, share their culture, strengthen their English language abilities and learn new skills or build skills that will help them in future careers. There are 15 different categories of participants under the J-1 visa program.”
Netto said his F-1 visa does not preclude him, however, from his ultimate goal of playing in college.
“But he, hands down – he shows up to practice for two years,” Lake coach Ivica Medukic said. “In 2018, some kids’ entitlement think they’re going to get to play. This kid shows up to practice. The speeches he gives these kids.
“And he’s never going to get to wear a jersey. It’s a little sad. I feel bad for him, but I’m hoping some college coach can give this kid a chance. He’s that good.”
Netto explained he grew up on the south coast of Brazil near Rio de Janeiro. His father is a businessman and his mother is a lawyer, so he led a “nice life” back home.
“In Brazil, I have a little house,” Netto said. “I play in my backyard. To control the ball in Brazil, I put my ball on the wall – control the ball and shooting to develop my stuff.
“And the fields are so horrible, the ball is jump, jump, jump. It’s hard to control the ball. I’m not practicing on horrible fields (here). I’m practicing on the good fields. It’s so nice.”
Netto has a family connection in Northeast Ohio, as his uncle, Antonio Ribeiro, aunt Agnes and cousin Joey live locally, and Joey attends Lake Catholic.
Netto’s father encouraged him to explore studying and playing soccer abroad, and with family here, he settled in at Lake Catholic.
“They said, ‘You need to go here,’ “Netto said. “It’s a family school, and you’d be good here. I’m so happy.”
The plan was for Netto to play as a senior, but that was thwarted due to the visa issue.
“We were hoping this year, maybe we could try all summer long, try to get some lawyers involved,” Medukic said. “But it ended up being just a mistake on our end not knowing.
“It’s not his fault, not our fault. We just didn’t know the rules.”
Netto said he plays as a winger and can operate as a left or right outside midfielder. Medukic could sense his skill set right away.
“They play pickup games on the streets (in Brazil), and there’s 100 players like him on each corner,” Medukic said. “It’s kind of amazing, because you can’t see it. You’re trying to fathom what he’s talking about.
“But being from the soccer background that I am, I understand what he’s saying. It’s pretty interesting. He has the skill, and the level that he plays at practice is amazing.”
And yet, even with his inability to play for Lake, Netto still shows up to practices and matches and is a valued member of the side, to the extent his would-be teammates listen intently to his match talks.
“He says speeches to these guys trying to get them motivated to play,” Medukic said. “They fall behind him, so it’s good. I’m happy that he’s experiencing a little of Lake Catholic soccer. I think he’s grown into being a part of it. We’ll always remember him as a great player here.”
Even if he can’t play. But in his own way, commendably, he is participating and hoping a college will give him a chance.
“I love the United States,” Netto said. “I love the game, because it’s a different game. In Brazil, I think the game is more slow but everyone has skill. You need the through ball and pass – control the ball. Here, it’s conditioning. I like this.
“This is so nice. It’s a new experience, and it’s so nice.”