Alex Panduro had a tough decision to make this fall. The junior midfielder, who plays for FC United in the MLS Next league in the spring and summer, considered skipping the high school season at De La Salle to spend the fall with that team as well.
Ultimately, though, Panduro knew his heart was with the Meteors.
“It was hard,” Panduro said. “But I wanted to play high school. When I wasn’t with the team (in the preseason), I missed it. I missed being around my friends and having fun.
“High school soccer is all about the memories you make with your friends.”
Panduro and the Meteors are certainly having a memorable year. He scored a goal and added an assist Thursday night as host De La Salle wrapped up the regular season with a 6-0 win over Prosser in Chicago.
Mario Ramirez scored twice for the Meteors (21-1-2), while Christian Flores, Kevin Gates and Cesar Solano each chipped in with a goal.
Jahir Anaya and Andrew Martinez combined for the shutout in goal as the De La Salle defense — led by Solano, Christopher Dingle, Christian Edwards and Jon-Philip Tiller — held Prosser (6-11-1) to one shot on goal.
Panduro leads the team with 22 goals this season and is second in assists with nine.
And De La Salle coach Francisco Martinez is sure glad Panduro decided to play for the Meteors.
“He went back and forth with it and I think it’s something that had him torn, but I think he realized the camaraderie that he has with his teammates and he saw there was something special there,” Martinez said. “I told him, ‘You’re going to be part of the ride or you’re going to miss out on it.’
“I just wanted him to take the opportunity to think about it before he made a decision. He thought it through and said, ‘You know what, coach? I want to be a part of this.’”
The 5-foot-4 Panduro is often the smallest player on the field, but he’s learned that a lack of size will not stop him.
“When I was younger, I’d always think, ‘Oh, I have to be tall in order to make it big,’” Panduro said. “But then I saw all these short people making it and I was like, ‘Anything is possible if you just put your mind to it.’”
Ramirez sees how tough Panduro is to stop.
“I think what makes him a special player is that he’s fast and he has great power when shooting,” Ramirez said. “I think when people see him, they underestimate him, but when he plays on that field, he does phenomenally.”
That speed, according to Francisco Martinez, often catches opponents off-guard.
“When you think you’ve caught up to him and you’re right next to him, he’s got another gear, man,” Martinez said. “He puts it on, and before you know it, he’s off.
“The young man is always looking to create opportunities for his teammates or for himself. He knows when to be unselfish and when to be selfish. He does it all.”
Last season, De La Salle won the first regional title in program history. Now, the goals are much bigger. The Meteors’ only loss this season came in a shootout on Aug. 31 against Lemont.
“It’s been a blast,” Ramirez said. “The growth of this team, how we’ve matured and how we play as a team, it’s been beautiful.”
Panduro has high hopes for the playoffs and beyond. He often gets inspiration from his younger brother, Nathan, who plays for the Chicago Fire Academy.
“He pushes me every day to my best,” Panduro said. “He tells me, ‘You’re going to make it one day. Don’t give up.’ He tells me he believes in me and to just put my mind to it.”
