Mindanaotoday.com | Pride of CdO Josh Go doing well in New York
By: Jack Biantan
CAGAYAN de Oro City, Misamis Oriental – The talented footballer from Rosevale School and Corpus Cristi School Josh Go, is slowly trying to realize his dream of playing professional football and then later seeing action for the Philippine Azkals someday.
But this dream is not carved in the basketball crazy Philippines but in the ‘Big Apple’ New York where his family of six (dad Regner, mom Mercy and siblings John, James and Resha) have migrated several years ago.
Josh three months ago has been signed by New York International FC, semi-pro club which is playing in the Cosmopolitan Soccer Laague in New York.
The Cosmopolitan Soccer League is a regional competition of amateur and semi-pro teams based in the state of New York USA. It has existed since 1923 and is one of the oldest soccer leagues in the country.
BREEDING GROUND
It is a breeding ground of soccer talents in the US and it was where the fabled New York Cosmos Club started. New York Cosmos was a famous professional club in New York in the 70’s and 80’s where the Brazilian legend Pele played during the twilight of his career in the now defunct North American Soccer League (NASL).
US legendary forward Claudio Reyna started developing his career in the Cosmopolitan League decades ago. Now, his son Gio Reyna is also a professional footballer but plays for Borrusia Dortmund in the Bundesliga in Germany.
Josh who started to play in the reserve team of the NYIFC and in the Division II of the CSL, has just been promoted to play in the first team and in the Division 1 of the CSL.
At 19, Josh Go is the youngest among his teammates. His all around performances in the midfield, at the back and up front impressed the coaches that in a short span of time he has earned a spot to play for the first team.
According to him his main goal is playing full professional soccer and someday he might realize this dream as New York City is a hotbed of soccer where the New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls of the Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs are based.
As I said in my earlier articles about the youngest child of Engr. Regner and Mercy Go, Josh has a bright future in the professional game if he continues to work hard and if he gets the opportunity.
CMORFA U19
Josh was the last of the Go siblings to fly to the USA as he was still finishing his Senior High School last year. Before flying, he played for the Camaguin Misamis Oriental Regional FA (CMORFA) U19 team in the National U19 Division 2 Championship in Zamboanga City in the middle of last year.
He was fit and devastating and was the main man of the team leading CMORFA to the Division 2 title against a powerhouse Central Visayas Regional Football Association (CVRFA) team. His form attracted several local professional clubs but the attraction of having a life with his family in the ‘Big Apple’ and realizing the ‘American Dream’ was too tempting to ignore.
His father then brought him to the USA to be with his mom and siblings in New York City. While in New York, the football bug never stopped bothering him. He continued to stay fit. He also worked several odd jobs until he found the New York International FC three months ago.
COSMOPOLITAN SOCCER LEAGUE
Josh tried out for the reserves and out of more than 100 who showed up, he was one of the 16 players chosen to play for the reserve in the Division 2. The Cosmopolitan Soccer League has 19 clubs in Division 1. Each clubs are required to have a reserve squad which compete in the Div. 2.
The former National U16 defender, incredibly led the NYIFC reserves to the second spot of the Div. 2 with four wins and one draw. He started in all the matches and was named player of the week for scoring goals and for his all around performance. His efforts earned him a place in the first team.
Josh is still a long way to go to get a professional contract. However, his path to be professional footballer and eventually getting a contract to play in the MLS or even in any professional league is getting nearer. His teammates call him ‘Kid’ as Josh is the youngest member of the team. His entry to the first team of the NYIFC has instantly made him a ‘man’.
How will his football career in the US succeed will really depend on him. If he works harder and gets spotted by a scout from a professional club, then he will realize his dream of playing professional football and may eventually play for the Philippine Azkals. (jackbiantantambok@gmail.com)
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