Libertyville senior midfielder Matthew Underwood is well aware of his siblings’ accomplishments.
Underwood’s older brother Luke was a central figure on the Wildcats’ Class 3A state runners-up in 2017 and 2018. His older sister Taylor guided the Wildcats to the 3A sectional finals in 2016 and 2018.
Underwood heard all about it during his freshman year.
“When I was walking down the hallways, people were asking if I was Luke’s and Taylor’s brother and were expecting big things from me,” he said. “It pretty much goes in one ear, out the other.”
But Underwood, a third-year varsity player, is definitely making his mark at Libertyville. With his leadership, boundless energy and unrelenting drive, Underwood has helped the Wildcats (5-1-4, 2-0-2) become contenders in the North Suburban Conference. He has three goals and two assists this season.
Libertyville coach Kevin Thunholm said Underwood is more than just a legacy player.
“This year’s he does everything for us,” Thunholm said. “His IQ is off the chart, and he knows the game very well and is coachable.”
Thunholm compares Underwood not to his siblings, whom Thunholm coached, but to former Libertyville defender Andrew Phillips, who was the conference defensive player of the year and an all-state pick in 2022.
“He’s a box-to-box (player) who never stops running,” Thunholm said of Underwood. “We can’t take him off the field. … He doesn’t take a play off. His energy is absorbed by everyone.”
Libertyville senior defender Henry Bownas agreed that Underwood inspires teammates.
“Matthew’s energy has a huge effect on the team,” Bownas said. “He goes full speed the entire game and wins the ball for us in important situations. Seeing him put his body on the line and make a hard tackle hypes everyone up to do the same.”
Underwood also wants to make sure he and his teammates don’t lose their cool. He said he learned that from his siblings.
“They taught me the importance of being calm and composed on the field, to show that to my teammates so they can be calm and composed,” Underwood said.
Luke Underwood said he stressed a simple approach for his younger brother’s final season.
“My advice to him was to have fun, trust your teammates and make sure to lead by example,” Luke Underwood said. “The team should be a brotherhood and have fun playing with each other.”
Taylor Underwood, who played club soccer at BYU, told Matthew to push himself.
“We both share the skill of having good vision on the field,” Taylor Underwood said. “I advised him to really step up to his position as a captain and become the playmaker out there.
“I feel my creativity and composure helped me succeed at Libertyville, so I’ve told him not to be afraid to take those chances and take shots, letting his creativity and passion show.”
Matthew Underwood was on the same track as his brother and sister when he was promoted to the varsity team as a sophomore. But knee injuries slowed down his progress. He missed his entire sophomore season with a torn ACL, which was followed by a torn meniscus.
Underwood said the turning point came when he played freely and scored a goal during a game against Vernon Hills last season.
“I was out almost 13 months,” he said. “The injuries taught me about the importance of stretching and confidence. I stretch big-time now, and I had to learn to not play protecting it or it would get re-hurt. I had to trust in me and that I could do this and not get hurt again.”
Underwood said he did pick up two hobbies — coding and reading — while he was hurt.
“Coding teaches me patience,” he said. “If you make a mistake, you have to go back and find it and fix it. It’s the same with soccer.”
Underwood is confident the Wildcats can fix their mistakes as they move forward this season. They haven’t lost since Sept. 3.
“We have a lot of potential,” he said. “We’re starting to get into a groove. I’m excited.”
Of course, Underwood remembers what his older brother did.
“It was awesome watching my brother go to two state finals,” he said. “That’s been my goal — to get to state.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
