Although he started later than his peers, a future in soccer was never out of the question for center and right back senior Zachary [Zach] Cardona. 

After spending the first eight years of his life pursuing different athletic endeavors such as football and basketball, the senior said he eventually set his heart on his current sport before it was too late for him to continue it to the next level.

“I didn’t have the body type for other sports…so I think my size probably guided me toward soccer more than someone in my life did,” Cardona said. “I started a bit later than most kids my age, but nonetheless, I enjoyed it.

“I think what helped me the most was my mindset to always want to improve myself and never stay complacent. That level of development allowed me to catch up with kids who were playing much longer than I was. [That same mindset] is what allowed me to become the athlete I am today.” 

After nearly a decade of hard work and maintaining that mentality, Cardona was offered an avenue to further his soccer passion through his commitment to Rhodes College in Memphis. 

The center back garnered a total of three other offers —  California Lutheran University, North Central College and Seattle Pacific University — all through processes similar to what he experienced with Rhodes. 

Despite the temptation of the others, the senior said that Rhodes offered an unbeatable coaching staff and educational prowess that pushed him to accept their offer. 

“I felt like I got really good treatment from them,” said Cardona, who visited the campus in November 2023 following the first few interactions with the school’s soccer program. “The academics over there was also what pushed it above all of the other schools.”

Rhodes was among the colleges that sent staff to the Slammers Phoenix Showcase in Arizona in November 2023, where Cardona’s club team, Slammers Elite Clubs National League [ECNL] 2007, was set to attend, he said.

The senior said he was able to impress the college’s assistant coach during the team’s game against the Albion Hurricanes, where the recruiter spoke on the athlete’s ability to dominate his side of the field, stay composed and make good passes to his teammates despite the unfortunate weather circumstances.

“There’s a lot of stress that comes with these [events] too because you want to play at the next level and hope to play well in front of the coaches,” he said.

However, Cardona said his interest was piqued prior to this event when his club sent a list specifying schools that intended to view the showcase. Reaching out to the university via email to relay his interest was, in reality, the first step to securing his spot at the school. 

The correspondence, sent Nov. 3, 2023, provided dates of upcoming showcases and statistics of his high school career before adding: “I would like to invite you to watch me and my Slammers ECNL 07 team play in the ECNL Phoenix Showcase.”

Following the email and the school’s first viewing of Cardona’s skills, the assistant coach set up a phone call with the player on Nov. 17, 2023, to get a better understanding of the then-prospect. 

After nearly a year of mutual contact, Cardona’s dreams soon became a reality on Tuesday, Oct. 29, with his verbal commitment.

“[The offer] was the start to my understanding that I can actually play in college and that [it] is something achievable,” he said. “It was really exciting.” 

THE JOURNEY

Throughout his experience, Cardona was a part of numerous teams — primarily playing defensive positions — from recreational soccer to high school and club.

He experienced his first year on varsity in his sophomore year as a center back after practicing and refining his skills on junior varsity the year prior.

Though he said he was not anticipating being on varsity his freshman year, he had no doubt that he would be able to make the roster the next year as the graduating class would open up numerous spots. 

“Not joining varsity my freshmen year was expected, but probably the best because I was able to play with all of my friends without any pressure my first year,” Cardona said. “It also allowed me to gain confidence and understand how high school soccer is played.

The player said his tenacity has continued to be a contributing factor in his success in both high school and club soccer.

“With that knowledge, I also knew that if I worked hard enough, there was also a starting spot for me to strive for,” he said. 

In addition, before fully committing his heart to soccer, the senior was also a part of track and field/cross country [TFXC] during his first two years of high school in order to stay in the best physical shape he could for soccer. 

Eventually quitting before the start of his junior year, Cardona said he did not find nearly as much gratification in his work on TFXC as he did with his main sport. 

“It was too much on my body for something that I didn’t really enjoy other than the accolades that came with winning races,” he said. “Ultimately, I chose soccer over running because I just love playing soccer, and track/cross country felt more like a burden than anything.”

With intense practices totaling up to approximately 12 hours per week, Cardona said his high school career has allowed him to delve into his love for the sport while also improving his people skills throughout the years. 

“I think [soccer has] boosted my school experience,” he said. “It allowed me to meet a lot of new people, and it gives me a close-knit group of guys that I can always be around.” 

Through his time playing sports, the athlete furthered his connections with not only players but also his parents, whom he said are his biggest motivation. 

Because of their unconditional support and reminder that “everything happens for a reason,” Cardona said he has flourished in his environment and fine-tuned his skills and mindset. 

“They don’t miss a game; they don’t miss any activity or anything along those lines,” he said. 

Aiding him through his journey, Cardona added that without his club team, he would not be as far as he is today. 

“Joining ECNL this past year has given me college exposure that I could have not had on my past team, and this has allowed schools such as Rhodes to be able to see me play and given me the opportunity to play at the next level,” Cardona said.

His club coach for Slammers ECNL 07, Matthew Dold, said that Cardona easily set himself apart from others early on based on his drive, and he continues to do so even to this day.

“[He is] a really good player and a super good kid,” Dold said. “How hard he works off-field to get himself better individually shows a really big difference from some of the kids we have right now.”  

Spending the most energy on his current club team — which he joined his junior year — Cardona said some of his most gratifying moments, such as winning the national championship his sophomore year, were alongside those teammates.

Midfielder senior Ethan Castro, who has experienced both club and high school soccer with the defensive player, also agrees that Cardona’s energy is infectious and boosts the overall morale of whatever team he is on. 

“He treats every game with equal intensity and focus; he always brings his A game,” Castro said. 

The midfielder said his teammate’s commitment to Rhodes was well-deserved and endearing. 

“I was super proud and excited for him since I knew it had always been his dream to play college soccer,” he said. “I know he will adapt perfectly to the college soccer environment and excel quickly.”

THE GOAL

For his final season in high school, Cardona said he aspires to have as much fun as possible to make the experience memorable before moving on to the collegiate level.

“It’s my last season, so I’m kind of taking it all in and just enjoying it more than anything,” he said. 

The stark transition between college-level soccer and high school-level soccer is not one that Cardona dwells on too much. Although he believes the physicality and the speed of the play will be more intense, he sees the difference as an opportunity to improve. 

“I am excited for a new challenge,” Cardona said. “Sometimes things get a little too normal, so it gives me something to look forward to.”

Boys soccer coach Jordan Brinkley, who a Rhodes recruiter contacted to speak on Cardona’s character before his commitment, said he had nothing but positive things to say about his center back. 

“Zach is a competitor,” Brinkley said. “As long as he goes there with an open mind and a positive attitude, he should be competing for a starting position right away as a freshman.” 

Cardona said this is also his goal, anticipating that he will have to put in a lot of effort to reach it. 

“I feel very fortunate to have a coach who believes I can start as a freshman,” he said. “[To do so], I will make sure this summer that I am training hard on my own and working hard at practice and committing myself to learn their style of play as quickly as possible so that it can be a smooth transition into hopefully a starting spot.”

In addition, the senior said another challenge is adjusting to the new environment.

“I don’t think I’ve actually had a real winter,” said Cardona, adding he’s slightly concerned about the snow that usually drops from December to February. 

Besides the weather, he said he will also miss the relationships made because of his sport. 

“Everyone’s been super nice, and I’ve met a lot of great people,” he said.

With such changes that lie ahead, the senior said he is glad he will have consistency in his passion for soccer. 

“I think soccer is an escape for me,” Cardona said. “It gives me that sense of freedom to what I love, so that’s been my motivation to keep on playing and enjoy myself more than anything.”