- 2023 Spotlight
Personal Statement
My name is Alvaro Gutierrez Zaldivar. I am sophomore at Los Molinos High School in Buenos Aires, Argentina, expecting to graduate in December 2025. I currently play soccer at Club Atletico Defensores de Belgrano, a sports club mostly known for its soccer team which currently plays in Primera Nacional, the regionalized second division of the Argentine League System (AFA).
I play as the goalie for the 7th Division Team of the club and have recenltly been booked to be part of the AFA system (a major accomplishment). I train 4 days-a-week after school and play games on weekends. It is a very demanding schedule but I am able to manage it successfully while maintaining a solid academic performance. As a goalie, I am fearless and very much inspired by "Dibu" Martinez from Argentina's national team.
My objective is to study college in the US while also playing competitive soccer at the highest possible level achievable (ideally Division 1). This summer, I am enrolled at Northwestern University College Soccer Training Camp, from July 21-23 in Chicago, IL, where I will be training with Head Coach Russell Payne (former US National Team goalie)... I am SO excited! Hopefully, I will be able to meet many of you coaches during my stay in the US to begin this journey towards playing college soccer upon graduation.
