Gavin Faracchio
CD Numanica Juvenil A
What team and league are you currently playing for/in?
I am currently playing with CD Numanica Juvenil A, competing in Divison De Honor, the highest division of the Spanish football league system for youth players 19 years old and under. Top Spanish youth teams like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid all compete in this league.
What do you miss most about being home?
Being away from home makes you realize how special everything back home is and not to take what you have for granted. The main thing I miss is my family. I am a big family person so not being able to see them as often as I’m used to is something I will always miss. I miss my family, especially my parents cheering me on from the sidelines at my games. My mom’s homecooked meals are something I crave and miss every day. Especially her homemade meatballs and chicken cutlets. My dad's steak and potatoes on the weekends. I also miss all my friends from school, my teammates from Sporting, and my friends from my town.
What do you like the most about being in Spain?
The thing I like most about being in Spain is the environment. You are surrounded by the game of football. You walk outside, little kids are playing with a ball in the street. You go to a restaurant, the only thing on the TV is a football match. This is their life here, everyone wants to be a professional footballer so it makes you work even harder and realize there are thousands of kids just like you who want to be where you want to be. I also like the European lifestyle and adjusting to a different way of living.
At what point did you think that you could play soccer in Europe?
I knew I could play soccer in Europe when I came to CD Numancia for the first time in my freshman year of high school. It was my first real taste of European football and how different it was from the US. I adapted to the style of play quickly and enjoyed how they played the game. I started to impress the coaches here in training and games and that’s when I knew I could compete at this level of football. I continued to get invited to do preseason with the team from Sophmore to now, so they could evaluate my progression as a player and make sure my level was not dropping. I continued to develop here as a player and eventually earned a spot on the team.
We know you’ve already played against Atletico Madrid, but what team are you looking forward to playing the most?
Real Madrid. There are many top clubs in our group like Athletico Madrid, Valladolid, Getafe, and Rayo Vallecano. However, playing against Real Madrid is just an opportunity that you dream of as a little kid, even if it’s at the academy level. To get the chance to compete against kids in that professional environment is just special and I’m looking forward to not only competing but getting a result out of that match.
How did the soccer environment at Sporting AC help transition you into playing in Spain?
The Sporting AC environment made the transition into playing in Spain much easier. My time at Sporting AC felt like I was already at a professional club because of how well-organized everything was, and how committed each staff member is. All the sessions were used to prepare for the game coming up that weekend, and that’s how the sessions are run over here too. Working on how the other team will line up, how we can defend and attack against their formation, and most importantly ways that we can win the game and find success. The coaches made sure every session was held at a high and intense level, so this helped make the switch easier too.
What advice do you have for younger players at Sporting AC who might want to follow in your footsteps?
My advice to young players would be don’t let dreams be dreams. Whatever that dream may be, go after it! Don’t let anything get in the way of your grind and try to weigh you down. There are going to be ups and downs, highs and lows, and sacrifices that you have to be willing to take along the way, but that’s all part of the journey. You are going to fail but that is where you learn and improve and become a better version of who you were yesterday. But most importantly, enjoy it. Enjoy being a young kid, enjoy the friendships and memories that come with this beautiful game. Follow your dreams, because if you don’t, you will regret it!