ASN: Liverpool’s Figueroa excited for the U.S. U-17 group’s future, completely satisfied to signify the USA

Keyrol Figueroa has been the breakout participant of the CONCACAF U-17 Championships and ASN’s Brian Sciaretta spoke to him forward of Sunday’s last towards Mexico concerning the group’s run, his household, his roots, and his future. 

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
February 25, 2023
1:50 PM

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THE UNITED STATES U-17 nationwide group has certified for the World Cup later this yr and is ready to tackle Mexico within the last of the CONCACAF Championships after an ideal file by way of six video games. It’s been a powerful show and engine behind the group’s run is ahead Keyrol Figueroa who has seven targets, to this point. That outs him tied for the tournamant’s Golden Boot. 

Figueroa, 16, has come up on the largest moments for the U.S. group together with targets within the 1-0 win over Canada within the group stage, two targets towards Guatemala within the definitive 5-3 win over Guatemala which clinched World Cup qualification, after which one other purpose within the 2-0 win over Canada within the semifinals.

A member of Liverpool’s U-18 group, Figueroa has lived as much as expectations as the very best pure No. 9 within the event.

“I am just enjoying every moment, and it’s been a very good experience so far,” Figueroa instructed ASN from Guatemala. “I mean, this team has people from all over. So the fact that we’ve adapted and played as a team, as a unit, we should be proud of ourselves for that. We are a very special group. It’s something that people should be looking forward to in the future.”

The U.S. group earned its spot on the 2023 U-17 World Cup due to Tuesday’s 5-3 win over Guatemala. The win was a real check for the American group and it was performed in circumstances that always problem full professionals on the senior nationwide group stage. The sport was performed in Guatemala Metropolis in entrance of an especially hostile crowd of roughly 15,000 folks. The sector circumstances have been poor, and the followers have been loud and fascinating in questionable conduct equivalent to utilizing laser pointers throughout the sport.

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 22, 2023

It is uncommon for youth groups to play in such an setting, however this U.S. group confirmed maturity in its means to constantly reply. After the U.S. group jumped out to a 2-0 lead, Guatemala raised their sport to chop it to 2-1. Then after it was 3-1, Guatemala responded once more to make it 3-2, and once more after it was 4-2 to make 4-3. Solely within the 86th minute was the U.S. group capable of put the sport out or attain at 5-3.

Figueroa scored the group’s second and third purpose of the sport earlier than being pressured out on account of coping with a minor sickness. However he felt that the win was true assertion made by his group and he credit the captain Tyler Corridor of Inter Miami for the management.

“Before the game we knew what we should expect, but we didn’t think there was going to be that many people coming,” Figueroa defined. “We adapted well obviously and Guatemala gave us a new experience. It was really different. Maybe some players have never experienced something like that before and maybe some have. I know I haven’t – for sure. But I was prepared for all occasions and I scored two goals. I wanted to mentally prepare myself, but the captain Tyler prepared us too – mentally and physically because he knew that it was going to be a battle. I think it all goes down to our captain.”

Now having been with Liverpool for practically 4 years, Figueroa is now enjoying for the membership’s U-18 group. The group retains him busy with coaching, conditioning, video games, and faculty. Whereas golf equipment are by no means required to launch gamers for youth nationwide group occasions and Figueroa had solely lately returned from damage, Liverpool was very cooperative with U.S. Soccer and so they acknowledged the chance for his or her participant.

However additionally they anticipated him to signify not simply himself or the US in Guatemala, additionally they wished him to make use of the stage to signify the membership as effectively.

“People in Liverpool just wanted the best for me,” Figueroa stated. “They expected me to always put on a performance, and to always represent the badge. But after all, Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I feel like I am representing them. Everyone there always loved the idea of me playing for the national team, so it was just great.”

The trail which has introduced him to representing the US has been a protracted and winding street. He was born in Honduras to folks who’re vital to the nation’s sports activities legacy. His mom Sandra Norales, represented Honduras internationally in handball. His father, Maynor Figueroa, is among the nation’s most vital soccer gamers ever.

As a central defender, Maynor Figueroa has 181 caps for Honduras and has featured at two World Cups, one Olympics, and 7 Gold Cups. For a protracted interval he was the nationwide group’s captain. On the membership stage, the elder Figueroa has performed in Honduras, in England’s Premier League with Wigan Athletic and Hull Metropolis, and in MLS with Colorado, Dallas, and Houston.

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) February 16, 2023

Born in Honduras, Keyrol Figueroa lived an enormous portion of his life in England and in the US whereas his father performed. A transformative second occurred when he was capable of purchase his American citizenship round 2020. He remembers the second he acquired American citizenship and it not solely opened the door to him enjoying for the US internationally, however it additionally held a deeper that means to him.

“I was obviously proud to have it,” Figueroa recalled. “Being a U.S. citizen is not something everyone can have. I know from the experiences that I’ve been through or my family’s been through. Me being an American, I feel proud wear that badge on the shirt. Every time I play, I always play for the people that are behind me – the team, my family, my friends, whoever is there with me through the journey. Getting citizenship was a very proud day for me.”

Throughout his childhood, Figueroa has some treasured recollections of watching his father play. One in every of his favorites was attending the 2016 U.S. Open Cup last the place his father helped FC Dallas to a 4-2 victory over the New England Revolution. Afterward, he and his brother we capable of go on the sphere and have fun with Maynor.

The 2 share a good bond and Keyrol has relied closely on his father for recommendation – even for this event.

“For the job that I want to do, play soccer, I think I’m probably the luckiest kid in the world,” the youthful Figueroa stated. “Having my dad, he’s not only my mentor, but also a person I look up to. And the fact that he was playing the sport, it made it easier for me. If you’re born into something like that, obviously you are going to play. But with me actually liking and enjoying the sport while trying to learn and get better every day, I thank my dad for that. It was hard not to become a soccer player in that type of family environment.”

“My dad has talked to me a lot about these types of competitions,” he added. “It’s just something I want to prepare for – because there’s going to be a lot of people coming after us.  The USA carries a lot of pride. We have a big target on our back, but we’ve been doing so well.”

There may be additionally the query about Figueroa’s choice to signify the US as an alternative of following in his father’s legendary footsteps is an enormous subject however one which Figueroa solutions shortly.

“A lot of people who know me know that my dad played for Honduras,” Figueroa stated. “He captained the country. A lot of people knew that. The fact that people didn’t judge – this is what USA is all about. I feel like I’m wearing the right colors.”

And now that he’s representing the US, he has some huge alternatives forward within the coming yr. There may be the U-17 World Cup later in Peru this November and after that, there’s the beginning of the U-20 cycle the place he’s prone to play a component. However every little thing begins on Sunday with the CONCACAF U-17 last towards Mexico – Figueroa’s first worldwide last.

Based mostly on what he’s seen in Guatemala, he’s optimistic for the long run for each the gamers and the group.

“I’m happy to be on this team because I wouldn’t be happy to be playing against this team, to be honest,” Figueroa stated. “I’d hate to be playing against these guys. I believe in every single one of them. Every single player that our coaches bring in is a talent – a different talent, a different piece of the puzzle. The fact that these players have done so much to sacrifice to be here, I couldn’t be prouder. I’m just happy that I’m on their side.”