Luke Macaione '20 Recruiting Profile

Growing up in London, I lived within walking distance of both Craven Cottage and Stamford Bridge. Many of my Saturday afternoons were spent with my Dad watching Clint Dempsey, Gareth Bale, and Frank Lampard dominate the pitch.  The excitement of those games then led me to spend my time after school banging the ball against the brick wall in our garden over and over until I was told to come in by my parents. 

After we moved to America, I could not wait join a club and begin a whole new experience. However, in my first game playing at the Academy level (U14), I went in for a challenge and broke both my tibia and my fibula. I was 3 days into my freshman year of high school.  After 5 months of physical therapy, I was excited to get back onto the field and resume playing. But, a month after that, I was diagnosed with a stress fracture in my lower spine and was out for another 3 months. While it was a challenging year, I stayed focused on my studies and finished 9th grade more determined than ever to come back healthy and strong in my Fall season. I haven't missed a game since. 

The experiences I had in London - growing up abroad and being able to walk a few blocks to see the best players in the world - coupled with the adversity encountered from the two injuries, helped me to become the person and player I am today. I love and have more enthusiasm for the game than ever, I am committed to improving and getting better every day, and am extremely focused on playing at the next level. I believe my versatility, my work ethic, and my competitive nature will help me become a valuable and contributing member of any team I am fortunate enough to join.