Young Soccer Player to Compete for Title

Sixth-grader Matthew Howard planned to graduate from high school with perfect attendance. But on Oct. 18, the 11-year-old's goal will come to an end. As the winner of the Pepsi Dribble, Pass and Score Competition for Southern California, the Rancho Community Christian School student will miss his first day of school to catch a flight to Massachusetts, where he will compete in the national division of the soccer competition Oct. 19 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. "This is the most exciting thing that's ever happened to me," said Matt, who is part of a competitive traveling soccer team offered through the city's recreation department. "I don't really want to miss school, but since I have to make the choice, participating in the national finals is not a bad decision. It's also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." The winner of Youth Skills Competition will be announced during the halftime show of the Major League Soccer National Cup on Oct. 20. In May, Matt attended a Galaxy game at the Rose Bowl. While there, he signed up for the Pepsi Dribble, Pass and Score competition. "I just wanted to walk on a major-league soccer field," he said. "I wasn't even thinking about winning." The free competition was open to boys and girls ages 6 to 13. Each contestant was awarded points based on his or her soccer skills. The children with the highest points in each age group advanced from the local event to the sectional, which also was held at the Rose Bowl. Matt went on to place second in the sectionals, and from there, won the Southern California team competition for boys ages 10 and 11. Matt's father, Roy, said he could not believe it when he read the congratulatory letter. "We thought it was a one-time thing," he said. "It turned out to be only a building block." Now, all eyes are on Matt as he prepares to compete for the national title. His father said he believes his son has a shot at winning. "Matt is a budding player," he said. "He is toning his skills everyday. If he isn't playing soccer, he's watching it on TV and e xplaining the different strategies to me." Matt's mother, Kathleen, said her son's love of the sport started when he was 5 years old. "Before his feet touch the floor each morning, he's kicking a ball," she said. "I had to put away my Lladro collection because pieces were flying everywhere. If he finds a bean on the grocery store floor, it becomes a soccer ball and the vegetable bin the goal. There's just something special that happens when Matt is near a soccer ball." Fellow classmate Marshall Coltrain said that Matt is the greatest friend anyone could ever have. "He can beat you at soccer 15 to nothing and then shake your hand and walk away humble as ever." Rancho Community Christian School teacher Cookie Krejci said that Matt seems to have the Midas touch. "Matthew is one of those kids that everything he does turns to gold. He sets very high standards for himself and then achieves them." It is those high standards that make it so difficult for Matt to give up his perfect attendance record. But that's OK, he said. "I have a new goal now. I want to go to Stanford University like Galaxy player Simon Elliot. Then I want to become a major-league soccer player. The next time I set foot in the Rose Bowl, I want it to be as a player for the Los Angeles Galaxy."