Fallbrook's Barbosa Developing into Something Special

FALLBROOK ญญ The opposing player angrily stalks in Danny Barbosa's direction shouting expletives and attempting to lure the Fallbrook High senior boys soccer player into a confrontation. Fallbrook coach Waad Hirmez, who remembers how Barbosa once played the game, spots the mounting tensions and quickly steps in front of his lanky standout forward.

Fallbrook's Danny Barbosa has 18 goals and 17 assists in 17 boys soccer games this season.
Barbosa never moves from his spot on the sideline, never says a word in response. This is how Barbosa handles himself today. He is the quiet introvert who draws the respect of his teammates with his solid play and quiet leadership. Minutes later, when Hirmez reinserts Barbosa ญญ who drew a yellow card after a collision with this opponent ญญ it is with simple instructions. "Stay calm," he tells him. "Stay calm." Barbosa's composure never becomes an issue. But Hirmez recalls his initial experiences with Barbosa and Fallbrook teammate Oscar Ramos four years ago. "They were getting all kinds of yellow cards, suspensions, getting in fights," said Hirmez, who was coaching with the Temecula Soccer Club when the late-John Blanche brought Barbosa, Ramos, Ryan Plackemeier and Jack Blanche to a practice. "I can tell you three, four years later, if there's any model for developing Hispanic players, it's Danny Barbosa and Oscar Ramos." Barbosa, who came to the United States from San Luis Possia, Mexico, at age 10 to live with his mother in Fallbrook, was quiet and introverted then. It was his soccer that lacked discipline. And obtaining that required help of a lot more people than Hirmez. Cathy Harney, Barbosa's physical education teacher at La Paloma Middle School, paid for Barbosa to join a local recreation league team soon after his arrival in Fallbrook. Barbosa spoke almost no English at the time. Hirmez installed discipline in Barbosa's game and keeps Barbosa and Ramos on the most competitive team at his Southwest Soccer Club free of charge. "We didn't have discipline when we got here," said Ramos, who's known Barbosa for six years and hopes to join the Marines after he graduates. "(Hirmez) changed all that." And there's John Blanche, who died in an automobile accident last March. "He's one of the reasons I'm playing right now. He helped me a lot," said Barbosa, who's scored 18 goals and assisted on 17 others in 17 games this season. "He gave me rides to (club) practices, to games, bought me lunch when we're traveling with (the club team). He's one of the reasons I planned to go to college." Blanche's wife, Becky, continues to provide the same aid to Barbosa and Ramos. Barbosa said he has dedicated the season to John Blanche. Barbosa is still adjusting to life in the United States. His English is still developing, though he can hold a basic conversation. And until last season, he hadn't considered attending college. Today, Hirmez believes Barbosa's powerful right leg could attract an NCAA Division I scholarship. "I asked Danny if he was interested in playing in college and he said probably in a two-year college," Hirmez said. "I thought, 'Why are you wasting your time?' Any four-year Division I school would love to have him." Barbosa, a strong All-CIF candidate, remains something of a long shot to earn an athletic scholarship. Last Wednesday was the first day high school soccer players could sign binding national letters of intent with colleges. At the time, no school had contacted Barbosa. According to Hirmez, though, the coach at UC Riverside planned to reach Barbosa in the next week or so. A scholarship would greatly enhance Barbosa's chances of attending college. Twice he has considered quitting the sport to help financially support his family. The first time, his mother, Anita Anguino, convinced him to continue playing soccer. That was two years ago. The second time occurred earlier this season when Barbosa approached Hirmez to say he wanted to get a job and didn't think he had enough time for work and soccer. That's when Hirmez told Barbosa he could play in college. "There's no question I can get him in the door, but to stay in it's up to him," Hirmez said. "He's a magnificent individual. I hope things really work out for him."

2/12/02