Published On: April 18th, 2019By

Hambrick’s Cesar Cordova to represent Aldine ISD, USA at international soccer tourney

You will have to excuse Cesar Cordova if he isn’t around for the next couple of weeks because he will be in Italy representing Aldine ISD and the United States as a member of the Under 15 Boys’ National Team competing in the Torneo delle Nazioni in Gradisca, Italy.

Cesar is one of only 15 Under-15 players selected to the National Team, but this isn’t his first time to play overseas.

Last spring, he was a member of the Under-13 Boys’ National Team that played in France and Spain and brought home the championship cup.

When he’s not playing on the national team, Cesar plays for the Houston Dynamo Youth team. The likeable 14-year-old Hambrick Middle School eighth-grader is the son of Roberto and Dinora Cordova. Dinora is a fourth-grade bilingual teacher at Stephens Elementary School.

She said she and her husband are quite proud of their talented son.

“This is such a wonderful opportunity to travel to Italy and getting the chance to wear the U.S. jersey is a great honor,” Dinora said.

Cesar said he is looking forward to the trip and playing with some of the best Under-15 players in the country.

“I was happy I made the team and I’m very excited about the tournament,” he said.

Cesar said scouts from U.S. Soccer Federation scout games across the country and recommend that the top players are invited to camps where they have the chance to earn a spot on the U.S. roster. That’s just how it played out for Cesar.

Cesar is considered an excellent dribbler who is adept at creating plays. He has uncanny acceleration skills, which serve him well as a mid-fielder, which is an important offensive.

Cesar’s favorite player is Mesi and he is looking forward to competing against teams from Europe.

“I am looking forward to seeing how we will compete against other top teams. This should be fun,” he said.

Dinora knows her son’s first love is soccer, but she has made it a priority that his schoolwork comes first.

“Education comes first,” said Dinora, a 1993 graduate of MacArthur High School. “I really appreciate the support the teachers and staff at Hambrick Middle School have given Cesar this past year. They have nurtured him and given so much time to ensure that Cesar is successful at school as well as allowing him to continue striving to pursue his passion for soccer. Our family can’t thank them enough for all the time they have given him and allowing him to follow his dream.”

Dinora said Cesar loves soccer and loves to compete, but he does not let the sport consume him.

“He leaves everything on the field,” the proud mother said. “Win or lose he leaves it on the field. He gives it his all and doesn’t take it too personally.”

Here’s wishing Cesar Cordova and his U.S. teammates good luck in Italy!

About the Author: Mike Keeney

Director of Public Information Aldine ISD