APTOS - There is a military principle called the force multiplier which enables small numbers of troops to triumph over a larger number of opponents through education, preparation, and inspiration of those around them. The United States Army calls these types of warrior Special Forces or Green Berets, and they are considered the cream of the crop.
For those of you not steeped in military jargon, force multipliers allow the few to overcome the many, but I could have saved 78 words and just used two to explain the principle in action.
With his Seahawk-esque vision, a 3.84 GPA, and a relentless commitment to self-improvement, Esqueda represents a force multiple against opponents on the counter-attack and could make the Seahawks a serious threat to win a state title in the fall when normal playoff schedules resume in the CCCAA. On a men's soccer team loaded with talent, both foreign and domestic, Esqueda establishes himself as a leader among leaders every day in training sessions.
"That's our captain, well I don't know if it's official yet but everyone knows Oscar is a leader," said Hugo Vargas, a first-year Seahawk who grew up playing in the Breakers F.C. and San Jose Earthquakes Academy programs. "He works hard in training on his game, but also always makes time to work with his teammates to make sure they feel confident. Playing with Oscar is great because he knows what you are going to do before you do. Sometimes I am head down on a run and he puts (the ball) in the perfect position. He is a striker's dream."
A 2-on-4 counterattack in favor of the defense may not sound like a golden opportunity for the center midfielder to score points, and it shouldn't be. Most coaches will take those odds ten times out of ten. But Esqueda is playing an entirely different game now than most players as his cerebral sense of space, how to corral and control friend and foe with a glance, and willingness to seek the assist before the goal could make him an ideal teammate.
"Some student-athletes spent the lockdown period in a tailspin, and some realized what was holding them back and worked on it," said men's soccer head coach Paolo Carbone. "I have known Oscar and his family for some time now, and he appears different. It seems he confronted some of the shortcomings in his game and developed the maturity to play to some of his strengths. He has always had a nose for setting up goals, but now he realizes how many points he could be in on."
Last season Esqueda finished the year with the third-most points produced for the Seahawks, registering 16 in total over 19 starts in 20 games played. As a sophomore, Esqueda is looking to at least double that total.
"We have so many talented offensive players on the roster coming back, like last season's Coast Conference forward of the year Matteo Vari and our leading point scorer Tanner Ruddy," said Esqueda. "Last year was definitely an adjustment period, balancing school, work, and soccer. There were so many languages being spoke out there, so many different styles and I had some growing up todo. But now, I am feeling fit and ready to feed."
Last season's Seahawk roster featured players from England, Ireland, France, Italy, and Mexico on the roster in addition to players from around the United States. Mid-way through the season after a team meeting the decision was made to communicate exclusively in English on the pitch. But managing big personalities was not new to the midfielder from Santa Cruz.
"Oscar always played up," said Terrisa Bignam, the club's administrative coordinator. "He was always one of the smallest and youngest players out there but he established himself and the older kids respected him for it. I remember driving the team to matches and Oscar would have the whole van laughing hysterically, he seems to always be one of those players the teams galvanize around."
You can't fake this kind of love for something; despite all the evidence we live in the Matrix, you can't jack-in decades of games played and viewed. When Esqueda's not on the pitch, in class, or training, he is watching matches from the Italian top league Serie A to Liga MX in Mexico or playing Fifa. Peak over Esqueda's shoulder to see his Instagram feed… you see where this is going. The kid's all-in on footy.
"He came back ready to embrace a leadership role and the influence that comes with the (captains) band," said sophomore striker Tanner Ruddy. "He stepped back on campus with the 'this is going to be my team this year and we are going to put ourselves in a position to win' mindset. It's inspiring, and the guys all follow his lead. He keeps the level of play and pace up, and he's learned how to be constructively critical when necessary. I know we haven't played a game yet, but I am really excited to see how many goals our squad puts up in 2021."
This opportunity, this potential breakthrough season, is a by-product of years of hard work and sacrifice by Esqueda and his family. For years the Esquedas ran the snack bar at events and matches to help offset the high cost of playing Academy soccer. In a pay-to-play world, Esqueda earned every second on the pitch.
Heaping praise on a junior college player may seem hyperbolic and ill-suited, after all, if Esqueda was so special he would already be pro, or at a D-1 school.
Unless there was a reason Esqueda chose to stay close to home, like so that his family could still watch him play for a few more years before signing an international contract… That's the thing about junior college sports in California, you never know what gems are in the polisher until the opening whistle.
"I have the rest of my career to travel and see where the game takes me," said Esqueda. "It was really important to me that my parents get a few more chances to see me play in person, so I stayed close for a while. Breakers F.C. and Cabrillo, really Coach Paolo Carbone, have been a huge part of my life up until this point, so I wanted to make sure when the time came to leave it would be for the right opportunity."
Esqueda has drawn interests from a variety of Division 1 schools around the country, as well as offers from multiple professional clubs playing south of the Border for try-outs. Long term, Esqueda would like to play in Europe or in Liga MX. Time will tell where the talented midfielder ultimately goes next, but there is no doubt wherever he goes he brings a force multiplier.
