Reyes radiates as Sueño winner

Chivas USA Sueño winner stands out in group of 2,000 participants

By Luis Bueno / MLSnet.com Staff

Briant Reyes, a Salvadoran-American midfielder from Downey, Calif., was selected as LA's winner. (FC Dallas)

"His life is soccer," older brother Ivan Reyes said. "All he does is school and soccer. That's all that runs in his mind."

Now, Briant will take a huge leap toward filling his adult life with soccer as well. Reyes, 17, was named winner of the second Sueno MLS competition as he stood out from an initial tryout group of 2,000.

A junior at Downey High, Reyes has a ways to go before he becomes a professional player. But the prospect of progressing through the club's ranks with the help of winning the competition entices him.

"I could picture that," Reyes said of the prospect of one day signing a contract with the Red-and-White. "I hope that could be me too and take that other step but it's going to be hard. There are a lot of steps you've got to go through but I'm going to try my best to make it that far."

Reyes shot through the ranks as he made his impression on the scouts and coaches with every step. From the first round to the Round of 60 to the Final 18 and on through to the final five, Reyes' ambition stood out from the rest.

His versatility did not hurt his chances, either.

"Throughout the whole process he's been very consistent, not too many ups and downs," said Chivas USA director of football Dennis te Kloese. "He's very eager and you saw that he really wanted to have a spot. Physically he's pretty good but he's also technically a good player but he can also play lots of different positions -- right back, right midfield."

Reyes, who just turned 17, was given the news of his triumph while standing with his entire family at the Bell Gardens Sports Center before a night of training with Chivas USA's under-16 squad. Once he was told of his conquest, his parents hugged their triumphant son as tears streamed down their faces.

Afterward, Reyes took a step back and caught his breath.

"It was a surprise from God and He gave me a good present. I've been dreaming of this forever," Reyes said. "I've tried my hardest and have been playing in all these teams and thank God He gave me this present for me."

As his family tried to collect their thoughts, Reyes also had trouble expressing his emotions.

"I don't even have words to explain it," he said. "I don't even believe it."

Ivan Reyes believed it, though. Ivan, 18, admittedly does not share the same passion for the beautiful game as his younger brother. But he said Briant has the desire and motivation necessary to take full advantage of the opportunity Chivas USA has presented him.

After all, Ivan said his kid brother was born to play soccer.

"I could picture him (being a professional) because that's what he's always strived for. He's always wanted to do that and tried so hard to get here so I could see him doing that," Ivan said. "He'll be up to the challenge to focus on soccer and make it his life."

The foundation is there for some future success. Reyes will become part of Chivas USA's under-18 team and could take a similar path as last year's winner Jorge Flores did in joining the Red-and-White. Flores participated with Chivas USA's under-19 side in tournaments, including the 2007 Copa Saprissa in Costa Rica, and eventually landed a developmental contract with the Red-and-White.

Reyes' development, though, is in his own hands, te Kloese said.

"As long as he continues developing hopefully he will be a better player than he is right now through our youth system and then hopefully with time in the future he would be something we can really seriously look at," te Kloese said.

However, there is no timetable on bringing Reyes aboard.

"It's a little difficult to say. First of all, I think he has to focus on getting better and getting in more of a professional environment and adapt to that because I think that's already a big step forward for him," te Kloese said. "We'll see how he develops. We'll do everything we can to support him but he has to take advantage of the opportunity also. He has some very good qualities to start and now we'll see how he can move up a little bit."

If nothing else, Reyes has the confidence of coaches, teammates and friends.

"People have been telling me that I'm going to win it and try my best all that time and I've been trying my hardest to play professionally with Chivas," he said.

Ultimately, if Reyes can shine with Chivas USA's youth clubs as he did in Sueno MLS, Reyes' future is bright.

"You know as in anywhere else, there is always someone better," Ivan Reyes said. "In this case, he was that someone else that was better."

Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.