Player Feature: Alan Alonso
- Gareth Mullins
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Alan Alonso, theMen’s First Team’s and University of Illinois Chicago’s star center mid, has loved his time at Edgewater Castle FC ever since starting at the club this season. In this part of the Player Feature series, Alonso discusses being captain at UIC, how much his family means to him, and offers solid advice for future players looking to play at his level.
What’s your earliest memory of playing soccer, and when did you realize you wanted to play it in your adult life?
“My earliest memory of soccer was playing at my dad’s Sunday League games. I would just be on the side, just trinh to make my dad [proud]. Once [my parents] got me [playing] recreational, that’s when I knew that I wanted to play[soccer] growing up. It was just so much fun. I enjoyed every aspect of it.”
What was the biggest challenge you faced on your journey to becoming a semi-professional soccer player?
“The biggest challenge for me was being consistent and also working by myself to improve my game. Whether that be passing, dribbling, shooting, little things like that [in order to] separate myself from other people.”
Who has been the most influential coach or mentor in your career?
“I would say my dad. He coached me when I was a little kid, and he would be at every one of my games on the sidelines encouraging me, but also letting me know what I needed to improve on. [He would] push me and not let myself get comfortable or below my standards.”
Is there a moment in your soccer career you’re most proud of?
“My most proud moment right now would be me currently being the captain of the UIC Men’s soccer team. Not only am I playing at a really high level, which is D1, but I’m also playing at a good school with great coaches and really good teammates. I’m just glad that I’ve been honored to lead [the team] and be the captain of it.”
What does your typical day look like during the season vs. during the offseason?
During the season [at UIC] in the mornings, [us players], around eight or nine of us, would have our team practice for around two hours. After that, we either go to classes or study hall hours. Sometimes we separate time for us to recover, whether that be doing ice baths and things like that.
In the offseason, most of the time [us players] spend our time working out, getting stronger both mentally and physically. And then, of course, we still have to got o school and everything like that. I personally like to play as much as I can. [I try to] be conditioned and run because I know the expectations [on me] once I come back in the fall are very high. You always got to stay fit and you always got to come [back] better than how you were when you left.”
How do you handle pressure or nerves before big games?
“Usually, I try tend to [follow] my own routine, my daily routine I like to do. Before games, I try to focus, I try to listen to music. Music helps me a lot to control what I feel and it makes me focus. But, whenever I do feel a lot of pressure, I kind of embrace it. A lot of people think pressure is a bad thing, but I see it as a good thing. It’s something that makes you perform, and [I] try to embrace it.”
If you weren’t playing soccer semi-professionally, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
“I think I would just be helping my family [by] working. My parents both work: my dad works in landscaping, and my mom works in a factory, [so I would just like to do] the best ways I can help them. I’m [also] in computer engineering [at UIC], so maybe an internship in [Chicago] or something like that [too].”
Why did you join ECFC?
“I joined Edgewater Castle because I believe in what [the club] believes, in [both the club’s] mindset and motto. I believe that [Edgewater Castle] is building something great and I want to be a part of it. I enjoy every aspect of [the club].”
What has been your favorite memory with the team?
“So far, my favorite memory would have to be [the Men’s First Team’s] home game [against Strikers Fox Valley]. We had a really good crowd, and we had a very good win as well. Everybody played as a team, and at the end [the fans] threw flowers at us, which I’ve never seen before but was something really good, and definitely was something that I embraced.”
What is your favorite pregame song?
“I don’t really have one, to be honest with you. I just kind of listen to whatever mood I feel.”
Who’s your favorite soccer player?
“Mine would have to be Cristiano Ronaldo. I love his work ethic, his mindset, his winning mentality. And, of course, he’s won a lot. He has scored a lot of goals. But mostly [I] just like the mentality aspect of working hard. Hard work is always going to be talent.”
What’s your favorite pregame meal?
“I usually like to eat a little bit of pasta, maybe some chicken. You get a good source of carbs and then also a good source of protein. [I] obviously eat in moderation, but that’s usually my go-to meal.”
What advice would you give to young players who want to continue playing soccer in their adult life?
“I would say play as much as you can and against older people as much as you can. People that are better than you, people that are older than you, just because it forces you to adjust. If you really want to win, you try to improve yourself to be able to play at that level. For me personally, that’s what worked for me, and that’s what’s gotten me to the level that I am right now. Also, just make mistakes, and be uncomfortable at times. Sometimes it’s not going to be easy, but if you believe in yourself, good things can happen.
