By Ryan Lambert, Correspondent
Eagle-Tribune


North Andover's Christian Figueroa will get the opportunity of a lifetime. He is one of just 25 players invited to a tryout camp with the New England Revolution that begins today.

The former Eagle-Tribune All-Star, who played for four years at UMass Lowell, is just happy for the chance.

"I would say it's a great opportunity," said the 5-foot-5 midfielder. "I worked so hard for four years for a great team and a great coach. It means a lot to go represent UMass Lowell and go do your best. And it means a lot for myself and my family and teammates and coaches to get the chance."

UML head coach Ted Priestly said that he thought Figueroa had more than earned the opportunity.

"First and foremost, he's been smartest player on the team since he arrived as freshman," Priestly said. "He was raised in the game, it's part of who he is, and that passion has led the way for his physical, technical and tactical development. Nobody has expected more of himself than Christian.

"That drive has fueled the work that he's put in. All the hours in the weight room, working on the ball, and in all facets of development have made him the player he is today."

Figueroa thinks that one of the skills he possesses that separates him from the rest is the way he thinks the game.

"One of the most important things is my decision-making skills, and game skills. Just knowledge of the game," he said. "Some players may have better footspeed or skill, but others do more in the game and get better chances because they play a smarter game. For me, I have to go and prove that I'm not the biggest, strongest, fastest, but my knowledge of the game and the way I play will help me out."

Even if he does not make the Revolution outright, Major League Soccer is set up so that players up to the age of 23 can join a developmental club that trains with the MLS team on a daily basis, as several other former River Hawks have done.

Priestly believes strongly that Figueroa has what it takes to make it at the professional level.

"Christian absolutely has a chance," he said. "People have questioned his chance to excel in college soccer, but he proved his true quality. Given the chance, he will do the same with the Revolution."

The Argentinian-born former Scarlet Knight won't be alone at the tryout, his River Hawk teammate Andrew Doherty also earned an invite. But Figueroa knows that, at the end of the day, there will be no room for friendship on the pitch.

"You're definitely more comfortable going (with someone you know), so you're not going to be the guy by yourself," Figueroa said. "But you don't want to be buddy-buddy, both trying out for a spot. If it comes down to both of you going for the last spot, then you have to put that aside. In a way it does make things easier though."

Figueroa was just the latest player to come down the UML/North Andover pipeline.

"At UML we have always had a strong tradition of quality North Andover soccer players who have emerged as team leaders and integral members of each team," said Priestly. "Christian has been another in a long line great players and great leaders in our program's history."

Three UML captains over last five years (John O'Brien, Bobby Ritter, and Figueroa) are North Andover products.