The Rise of Youngster Julian Araujo

The art of soccer has progressed to the point where the biggest stars in the sport are getting progressively younger and younger. We aren’t entirely sure how or when it happened, but it did. Case in point: as reported by MLS Soccer, LA Galaxy youngster Julian Araujo is set to feature for the club later tonight when they take on Houston Dynamo in what should prove to be a vital game in the MLS standings.

Araujo, who was born in August 2001, is just 17 years of age and already seems to be showcasing the kind of talent and skill that has left him in with a great chance of starting his first ever MLS game later on this evening. He was acquired last March for a fee believed to be worth around $50,000, which is quite easily one of the bargains of the decade thus far.

A great rise

The kid isn’t expected to spend all too much time in the first team given that Rolf Feltscher will be back within two weeks or so, but it isn’t really about that. This is about the youth coming through and taking charge their own destiny, which is the kind of story that fans are going to get behind.

The Press-Enterprise have also picked up on his ‘fairytale story’ of sorts that Araujo has been on as of late, with many fans and pundits alike coming out of the woodwork and saying that they always knew he was set for the top. Regardless of whether or not that’s true, it’s difficult not to push all of that to one side and just admire this young defender for what he is: a truly great soccer player.

“I played one year of high school soccer,” Araujo said. “It wasn’t that big of a decision (leaving high school) because I knew if I wanted to get where I wanted to get, I had to leave my home and get out of my comfort zone.

“If you’re comfortable, you need to get uncomfortable in order to reach your goal and I knew this is what I wanted, so I had to leave and do whatever I had to do to get to where I wanted to be. I’ve been away from home for two years. I wouldn’t say it gets easier, but I feel like I’m used to it.”

High expectations

Sometimes in life we ned to push ourselves just a little bit further outside of our boundaries than we’re used to, and it’s done all in the name of furthering what we can achieve and accomplish as human beings. Despite being a teenager, Julian Araujo seems to have understood that from a very young age – which is why he is at the point he is today.

Tonight’s game against Houston isn’t going to be easy, and in fact, it wouldn’t come as all too much of a surprise to see him really struggle against this strong Dynamo team. Alas, even if that’s the case, the experience he’ll gain will be absolutely invaluable.

This is only the beginning.