Andres Suazo-Ramirez
Andre Suazo-Ramirez was invited two weeks ago to attend ‘90 National Team Residency down in Florida after his stellar performance at the Olympic Development Region Tournament in Las Vegas. Andre scored a 40-yard upper corner shot that would have put a hole through most goalkeeper’s chests if they had been behind it. Known for his tenacious defending and world class left foot, there is so much more to this young man.
“Can I have those,” Andre has asked me multiple times before training at Highline Stadium. Andre was referring to whatever pair of soccer shoes I happen to be wearing. He always seems to be wearing another new pair of shoes and he never seemed to leave the soccer field. He helped us coach the younger Heat teams and he would impress the young kids with his rocket shot on target and dribbling antics.
Andre was born in New York but moved back to Honduras as an infant. His recollection of his time there was based on playing soccer every day with his friends and whoever wished to kick a ball around.
At the U12 age group, Andre moved back to the United States and settled in Burien with his mother and his brothers. He joined a team coached by Kim Duke in the Highline Heat Soccer Club. This Heat team would make two state semifinals while winning league and tournament titles along the way. One year ago, his team made the state final and lost to eventual Champion Crossfire. In this game Andre again rang the crossbar from 30 yards out.
The trip to Las Vegas was difficult as Andre had to earn the money to attend on his own. This is a testament to his hard work and drive and the guidance of good family friends, Shelly and Ken Kosaka. Coincidently, Marshall Kosaka plays on the Heat team with Andre and is an excellent player who also participated in the ODP tournament in Las Vegas. Andre and Marshall are good friends and train with numerous Heat teams to stay sharp.
We are all extremely proud of this young man and wish him the best of luck as he represents the Heat Club, Washington, and the youth national teams. Andre has earned his way to compete with the best.
David Hoggan is the coach for the Heat ’90 team and Darren Sawatzky is the Training Director in the Heat Club. If you need any further information, please contact Hoggy or Darren.
Darren Sawatzky
Highline Heat Training Director
(206) 963-4978
WPS Soccer is very proud to let all of the players, coaches, and of course parents know about Andre and his success on the soccer field. A special thanks to Darren Sawatzky and Tom Wenzel for the help with the article and the photos of Andre. Most of all...thanks Andre for being a role model and helping younger players enjoy the game. Many players never take the time to help out younger teams within their club....that's really cool of you. WPS wishing you nothing but success at residency.
